Cycle of Change

Effect positive change while having fun and building community.

Source: TransitCenter

The Cycle of Change (CoC) is the local civic vanguard coming together to:

  • Effect positive change.
  • Have fun and build community.

We ask participants to be:

  • Respectful: Honor a diversity of viewpoints and value each other’s limited time.
  • Constructive: Look for positive actions we can achieve together.

BEST supports the Cycle of Change with email lists and other communication tools, summaries of activities and opportunities, space for meetings, occasional advocacy training, and more — consistent with BEST’s mission and goals. But participants are invited to leverage the group to initiate efforts beyond what is in BEST’s scope of work.

Are you interested in getting more involved?

Tell Us About Yourself

Working groups

The Cycle of Change is organized into the following working groups:

  • CoC Biking
    “I want to move the needle by advocating for a complete bicycle network serving the Eugene-Springfield area, not in 50 years but in 5 years.”
  • CoC Walking
    “I want to move the needle by advocating for complete and safe sidewalks in the Eugene-Springfield area, with a revised funding model.”
  • CoC Public Education
    “I want to move the needle by educating the public and officials in the Eugene-Springfield area about the need for better transportation.”
  • CoC Legislation
    “I want to move the needle by testifying for or against select transportation bills, learning how to be more effective.”
  • CoC Steering
    “I want to move the needle by steering the efforts of the Cycle of Change to have a greater impact in the Eugene-Springfield area.”

Effecting change

According to the New York-based TransitCenter, a community needs three factors to achieve rapid transportation innovation:

  1. a civic vanguard,
  2. bold politicians, and
  3. champions in government staff.

“First and foremost, a civic vanguard that is resident-led, non-elite, and outside government—yet able to persuade local politicians to take risks—is paramount to the success of any community. Citizen-led campaigns can pressure authorities to change direction, diversify the mix of transportation options, and also provide evidence of why that change would be beneficial. Without a civic vanguard that can direct public support, urban transportation innovation will not reach its potential.”

See also

Related information from BEST: