One of the Republican candidates for governor is expressing fear and loathing that pro-bicycling policies of his possible challenger in the fall elections is turning Denver into a stooge for the United Nations.
Dan Maes is quoted at length in the Denver Post saying essentially that Mayor John Hickenlooper's support of bicycle commuting — as seen in the Denver B-cycle bike-sharing program — could threaten personal freedoms.
Maes's comments were made at a campaign rally last week:
“This is all very well-disguised, but it will be exposed … This is bigger than it looks like on the surface, and it could threaten our personal freedoms…. These aren't just warm and fuzzy ideas from the mayor. These are very specific strategies that are dictated to us by this United Nations program that mayors have signed on to.”
The program referred to by Maes is the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. The Post says the group supports environmentally sustainable development. There are 1,200 members worldwide, about half in the US.
One of the environmentally friendly programs that Hickenlooper backs is the Denver B-cycle program. The bike-sharing program launched in April with 400 bicycles available at 40 sites throughout the city. The program encourages bicycle use for short trips.
I agree with one thing. Maes said the some might find his ideas “kooky.” He goes on:
“At first, I thought, 'Gosh, public transportation, what's wrong with that, and what's wrong with people parking their cars and riding their bikes? And what's wrong with incentives for green cars?' But if you do your homework and research, you realize ICLEI is part of a greater strategy to rein in American cities under a United Nations treaty.”
How ironic that this story comes out the same day that Colorado announces it will host a major bicycle race next year entitled Quizno's Pro Championship.
Will the real Colorado please stand up?
More on Maes's musings:
Denver Post, Chuck Plunkett column
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