Posting

The RIDE Solutions blog exists to generate discussion around issues of transportation, energy, community, and their relationships.  When at all possible, material here will concentrate on local issues, or discuss the local impact of national or international issues.  These issues and their connections can often be complex, so the intention of this blog is to create a forum where the community can discuss them and ferret out strategies to create a more sustainable transportation system in our region.  It is also an opportunity to receive feedback on our programs and services so that we can improve them.  We also love a good argument for arguments’ sake, if it gets people talking.

Please note, however, that RIDE Solutions staff may not always choose or have the time to engage commenters directly.  We hope that by having a public blog the community in general will discuss and contribute.  A lack of response to questions or comments by RIDE Solutions staff does not indicate a lack of interest, but perhaps only a lack of time.

As with any public forum, the administrators of this blog seek a balance between vigorous and open discussion, and a civil and welcoming environment.   We welcome criticism – even vigorous criticsm – of our program and ideas and hope to engage both friends and foes.  To that end, we would ask contributors to this blog, whether guest bloggers or commenters, to hold to the following rules (gleaned from and inspired by the guidelines posted at the Star City Harbinger and Lifehacker):

Guidelines for the RIDE Solutions blog:

1. Material on this blog will be dedicated to issues of transportation, energy, sustainability, and other programs and partnerships that RIDE Solutions and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission may form.
2. It is not the business of RIDE Solutions bloggers or staff to endorse political candidates or other other offices, though we can and will comment on policies that candidates and office holders may propose if they impact transportation and sustainability issues.
3. Comments on this blog are moderated.  We will keep the rules to a minimum and expect all contributors  to behave like adults who wouldn’t be ashamed of showing their mothers what they have written.  When a commented is submitted to this blog, WordPress.com sends the administrator the comment in the body of an email.  In cases where a comment is not approved for publication, RIDE Solutions will nonetheless retain this email as a record of the comment having been submitted.
4. Contributors are encouraged to use their real name when submitting material; however, if contributors wish to post anonymously, administrators will respect their privacy and not seek out or divulge their identities.
5. Once published, posts made by RIDE Solutions bloggers will not be edited except for minor changes in grammar or spelling.  Posts which require significant material changes to correct misquotes, factual errors, etc., will be edited to strikethrough the original material and add the new material so that changes are obvious.  Changes may also be indicated with an “UPDATE” section noting the date of the change.  Posts made by contributors will never be edited for content.

RIDE Solutions will reject or remove posts that:

1. Use inappropriate or foul language.
2. Attack other posters directly.
3. Attack blog administrators, RIDE Solutions staff, or staff of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission.
4. Threadjack discussions or otherwise make off-topic remarks (though an Administrator may email you with a suggestion to resubmit the post in the correct thread).
5. Have no bearing on a RIDE Solutions program or perspective

RIDE Solutions will NOT reject or remove posts that:

1. Disagree with RIDE Solutions program and its goals.
2. Disagree with a program or goal of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission

We hope these guidelines will make the RIDE Solutions blog a hub for the discussion of transportation and energy issues in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.  If you have suggestions for changes or updates to these guidelines, please make them in the comments below.