About ART

Formed in November 2005, the Alliance for Responsible Transportation (A.R.T.) is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization that promotes bicycling and walking as viable forms of transportation in Sarasota and the surrounding areas. We accomplish this through education, events, and advocacy. A.R.T. has grown to roughly 100 members and we earned our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in August 2006.  Please feel free to read our mission and vision statements, goals, and values statement. The ART Bylaws are also available for download.

In our first year-and-a-half of existence, A.R.T. has had several advocacy victories toward building successful community programs.  We worked with the City of Sarasota to get new bike lanes striped on 10th Street.  We lobbied Sarasota County to hire a full-time bicycle/pedestrian coordinator.  Meanwhile, we operate a community bike shop,help organize and run safety classes, and we have started mapping out the safest and most direct bike routes in Sarasota. 

Responsible Transportation and the Problems We Face

While global warming, air and water pollution, and traffic congestion grow as problems in our modern world, over 40,000 people die every year in automobile crashes in the U.S.  Thousands more are injured. Obesity rates are skyrocketing in our country. Dependence on cars is at the core of all of these problems. In many situations, alternative transportation provides us with an opportunity to not only reduce the impact of our automobiles, but also with the chance to make ourselves healthier and stronger.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of our country, and especially Florida, was built around the concept of the automobile as the main form of transport. Many roadways are not inviting to cyclists or pedestrians. Often times points of interests like schools, shopping centers and places of employment are far from each other and from residential areas. Furthermore, bicyclists and pedestrians are extremely vulnerable in places where fast-moving, 2,000lb automobiles dominate.

Local governments can do a lot to make biking and walking viable forms of transportation.  A.R.T. strives to make this happen in Sarasota through better bicycle, sidewalk and transit infrastructure.  By encouraging citizens to use their muscles to get around, we can preserve the health of our community and ourselves.

Building a Better World

A.R.T. attends public meetings and meets with government officials to emphasize the need for "complete streets" that adequately serve bicyclists, pedestrians and cars. We help people fix their bikes, teach safety courses, and lead rides for safety and fun.

As a community, we can reward bicyclists and walkers for not contributing to pollution, traffic and the need for extensive roadways and parking facilities by offering them tax incentives and consumer discounts. A.R.T. has arranged discounts for its members at a dozen local businesses whenever they bike or walk there. There are also billions of dollars of federal money earmarked for tax incentives for alternative forms of transportation. The Sarasota government can earn some of this if they put reward programs into place.

As bicyclists and pedestrians we need to support and encourage one another. Sarasota and Manatee counties have a long way to go before they are truly friendly places for us. A.R.T. frequently has rides, BBQs and other events to celebrate responsible transportation. Check out our "events" page and join us the next time you are available.

ART Bylaws

The ART Bylaws are available for download.