did we tear down the sports arena without a new one built?
won't we allow a casino downtown?
are there no bike lanes?
are the suburbs trying to eliminate public transportation?
instead of attempting C.P.R. on downtown, attention is shifting to "Consumerist Mayberry"
i.e. Fallen Timbers, and Levis Commons?
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You bring up some good points, but as a public employee, I've got to say getting a group organized to show up to city meetings regularly is a good first step. Tell them you want bike lanes; tell your friends to tell them, too. Look into grants and offer to help. Send them letters. The cliche about the squeaky wheel is true. Talking amongst friends is good but that alone won't bring change--you have to take it to the leadership and become a leader yourself if you feel strongly about something.
A town looks how its leaders want it to look, so you have to get louder if you don't like the way things are going. Most people consider shopping a hobby, and they do it way more than they go biking. And they'd rather die than take the bus. That doesn't mean that's the way it's got to be, but you should communicate why things can't keep going in this direction if you don't like it.
In my experience in the public sector and running campaigns, most people are quite happy letting other people do all the planning and they pay no attention and are unwilling to get involved, even if they feel they aren't being represented. This can be used to your advantage, even if that's also how we got to where we are.
I'm not touching the casino thing; there's more than enough vice to go around already. But as far as development goes, drawing from my previous life as a business reporter, if some guy with money wants to do something, most cities are going to try to let them. The city could offer more incentives for downtown developments, but here again, they need to be nudged by people who care.
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