News from the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition - JUNE 2003 ******************************************************************** The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition emphasizes bicycling & walking safety, education, and access, to make Vermont "walkable and bicycleable" for residents and visitors alike. We also promote bicycling and walking for transportation, health, recreation, and fun to enhance our communities, environment, and economy. ******************************************************************** Feel free to share this email with a like-minded friend! To ask to be added to or removed from our email list, which averages about a message a month, please email becka@VTBikePed.org - Thank you! ******************************************************************** Dear members and friends, Suddenly, it's summer and people are out walking and bicycling everywhere. The legislature is done, done, done, and now it's time for some fun! At the same time that you're having fun, I'm here to remind you to _be safe_ and also to be friendly and courteous on the roadways, paths, and trails - no matter which mode of travel you're partaking of! Here's the latest edition of the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition's newsletter, designed to get you connected with what's going on across the state and in your local area! _________________________________________________________________________ ADVOCACY: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Those of you who are hoping, dreaming, and planning for a bike path in your community will want to pay special attention to the funding (state and federal) portions of this message. BIKE/PED FUNDING AT THE STATE LEVEL. Success!! $1.45 million in Enhancements funding for FY 04 was restored by the legislature in the annual Transportation Budget. Thank you to many of you who called, emailed or wrote on behalf of this funding. An additional $1.3 million may be possible IF the state should receive extra federal transportation dollars this year. The Bicycle/Pedestrian Program did not fair as well; it will be funded only if there is extra funding. While this is not as good as Vermont has done in past years, it is better than we started out with. At the same time, all of the projects already in the pipeline are indeed funded, including the Burlington-Colchester bridge (see below for more!) The Senate Transportation Committee, in particular (Senators Mazza, Scott, Welch, Ayre, Maynard, and Collins), deserves your thanks for championing this funding. See www.leg.state.vt.us/legdir/legdir2.htm for addresses. Special thanks also to advocate Curt McCormack of VPIRG for his work on this issue! Now's the time to apply for some GREAT Enhancements projects for next year, so that we can build on this advocacy for FY 05. FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION BILL MOVING; WALKING & BIKING LARGELY IGNORED The Bush Administration has released its recommended version of the federal transportation bill. The Administration's bill keeps funding for enhancements (slightly reduced level) but misses several opportunities to make walking and bicycling a real part of the transportation infrastructure. We're keeping an eye on the bill as it proceeds, and will be working with our Senators and Rep. Sanders to ask them to champion key pieces of legislation to include bicycles/pedestrians in all road design, improve safety funding for bike/ped/motorist education, and create national a safe routes to school program. Stay tuned to this issue, because the fun's just begun. The big challenge right now: Both houses of Congress want to spend a LOT more money on transportation than the Bush budget recommends. For more analysis on this bill and what it does (or doesn't do) for walking and bicycling, please see: www.americabikes.org/story1safetea.asp VERMONT LEGISLATORS' WALK & BIKE RIDE We had an excellent turnout for our first ever Legislators' Bike Ride and Walk. On a sunny day in late April, we cruised about 3 miles through Montpelier and along the Central Vermont Regional Trail, while the walkers picked up the pace walking a little over a mile. A beautiful spring day graced the event, along with about 15 legislators and several citizens. We were particularly pleased that Speaker Walt Freed was able to join us; we were disappointed that Senate Pro Tem Peter Welch (also co-sponsored the event) was unable to join us. Both Freed and Welch are bicyclists! (some have suggested a race...) There was even talk about making walking or bicycling a regular weekly event at statehouse lunch time. Please plan to join us sometime next April for the 2nd annual walk & ride, and join your legislator on bike or foot. PLEASE WALK OR BICYCLE WITH LEGISLATORS THIS SUMMER! A beautiful Vermont summer is a great time to invite your legislator for a walk or bike ride. What better way to make a good connection! Show him or her a local trail (or dream of a trail) or go for a walk or ride and discuss concerns you may have as a bicyclist, walker, parent, etc. If you feel like your legislator may not be particularly tuned into walking & bicycling, here's a couple ideas for you: Take along a local bike shop owner or business person friendly to your cause. Talk about health concerns and rising obesity rates. Point out the economic impact of walking and bicycling from a tourism perspective. Consider the entire universe of bicycle/pedestrian issues (safety, paths, rights to the road, drunk driving, education for kids - if one issue doesn't connect, perhaps another will!) UPPER VALLEY - BICYCLISTS' RIGHTS TO THE ROAD. Of grave concern to the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition is the signage on the new Fairlee-Orford bridge. It appears to be posted for "no bicycles", but it's unclear whether the signage refers to the bridge or the sidewalk! We're working on getting to the bottom of this, and will let you know if we need you to take action to help us in defending bicyclists rights to the road. We are trying to have the signage replaced with "Share the Road" signs instead, more appropriate to this narrow but fairly lightly used bridge. _________________________________________________________________________ EDUCATION: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LEARN ABOUT TEACHING AT A BIKE RODEO - SEPTEMBER 18 & 20. Vermont SAFE KIDS and the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition will be hosting two one-day trainings: Thursday, Sept. 18 in Barre and Saturday, Sept. 20 in Rutland. Both trainings will be 9 am - 5 pm. Nationally-known consultant Peter Flucke of Wisconsin, a former police officer with 15 years experience teaching child bicycle safety, will conduct the training. Space is limited to 30 people per site, so don't delay signing up. This one may fill fast. This is geared to police officers, service member organizations, teachers, scout masters, and anyone else who wants to teach at a bicycle safety fair. All experience levels are welcome. The registration form is online at: http://www.vtbikeped.org/what/safety/SafetyWorkshopRegister.pdf KID BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS - IN THIS MONTH'S VERMONT SPORTS Teaching your kid to ride this summer? Check out this month's Vermont Sports (page 5) for some tips, including an easy helmet check, info on how kids see traffic differently than adults, and commentary on the age old question "isn't it safer for my kid to ride on the sidewalk?" (quick answer: only if you teach them that each and every driveway is an intersection. Drivers don't look for your kid whizzing along at 6-15 mph when pulling out of driveways.) Pick up your copy of Vermont Sports Today at any local bike shop! SHARE THE ROAD ON RADIO, IN NEWSPAPERS Bunky Bernstein and Becka Roolf hit the airwaves with two prime drive-time radio broadcasts this spring. We talked with hosts Ernie Ferrar at WVMT and Mark Johnson on WDEV; both shows generated much interest and discussion from callers. We kept our heads cool, and answered questions ranging from complaints about bicyclists responding impolitely to drivers "toots" of the horn (remember, always wave all 5 fingers!) to suggestions about improving roads with paved shoulders and passing a law to require drivers to give bicyclists at least 3' of space when passing. We're hoping to make this an annual event, and perhaps to expand coverage to other parts of the state next year. Still in the works is a radio PSA for later this summer. In the print media, we've submitted articles or letters to the editor to several local papers, including ones in the Burlington area and the Bradford Journal. Way down at the bottom of this message, I've pasted sample articles from each of these efforts. I encourage you to write a "Share the Road" letter to the editor of your own paper! Please don't plagarize, but these two articles will give you some ideas. If you want to run something past an "expert" for some in-house critique prior to seeing your name in print, please email or along to the Coalition: info@vtbikeped.org (or PO Box 4003, Burlington 05406) and we'll get back to you with any suggestions we may have! _________________________________________________________________________ LOCAL EFFORTS AROUND THE STATE: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (mostly alphabetical by community / area) BENNINGTON - PARAN PATHWAYS. Christy Nevius and the Bennington area coalition working on rail trails have moved their focus to an abandoned rail line connecting the Bennington Museum, the Monument, a school, and other local attractions. Although this is indeed a rail line, originally a spur of the Corkscrew Division (named for many turns along the track), this potential trail follows a contour along a ridge, and so has some startling views. Paran Pathways hosted an event at which Craig Della Penna of the Rails to Trails Conservancy and Amy Bell of VTrans presented. Christy has begun the process of working with land owners along the corridor. For more information, contact Christy Nevius at bikepath@together.net or 442-8694. BRATTLEBORO - BIKE/PED COMMITTEE. The "Cool Planet" festival June 7-14 celebrates "better ways to get there" -- namely, walking and bicycling! Events throughout the week. Contact Kendall Gifford at the Windham Regional Commission for a schedule of events - kendallg@sover.net or 257-4547. Here's some ways you can participate: Ride your bike in the Heifer Stroll Parade (contact Kendall to arrange)! Attend two family-oriented bike rides on both Sunday June 8 and Sunday June 15, both starting with a skills drill & instructional on riding with traffic! (cancelled if raining) Participate in a walking tour of Bellows Falls. Ongoing - this committee is sponsoring Valet Bicycle Parking at the Farmers Market on Saturdays. Avoid congestion by riding your bike, and bring home the veggies in a handy pannier or basket (those sweet wicker ones look really great overflowing with healthy yummies). Want more info or to volunteer? Contact Bike/Ped Committee Chair Tim Chock tchock@bratbike.com 254-8644 or stop in the Brattleboro Bike Shop. BURLINGTON - LOCAL MOTION'S BIKE FERRY. The Bike Ferry from Burlington to Colchester is up and running for the summer (unless it rains too much and the lake floods out boardwalk through the wetland in Delta Park). The ferry runs weekends through mid June, when it switches to a daily schedule. $1 each way. Aug. 23/24 there will be a special "extra" ferry at the Cut in the Causeway, making it possible to bike all the way from Burlington to the Lake Champlain Islands. BURLINGTON - COLCHESTER BIKE/PED BRIDGE OVER THE WINOOSKI. Good news! Construction almost definitely will go forward late this fall, and the bridge may even be open next summer! The VT transportation budget includes funding for the bridge at $3 million. Chapin says: "Thank you to all who contacted their representatives and explained the economic, health and community benefits of this emerging world-class trail. Legislators succeeded in reducing the state portion of the bridgeıs cost while simultaneously supporting the projectıs advancement. It is a win-win for all." BURLINGTON - USED BIKE COLLECTION (donation) - JUNE 7 Did you know that the bicycle still reigns as THE most efficient form of human transportation, ever!? Donate your old bike. Pedals for Progress provides bikes to promote economic development and sustainable transportation for low-income people in developing countries. Please bring bikes in good condition plus a $10 donation to offset shipping costs. The value of the bike plus the $10 donation are tax deductible. Bring your bike to the Essex Fairgrounds Gate B, 9am to 1pm. Co-sponsored by Green Mtn Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, Chittenden Solid Waste District, Local Motion, Federal Express, and the Essex Rotary. Details at www.p4p.org BURLINGTON / S. BURLINGTON - DEDICATION FOR GEORGE SPORZYNSKI - JUNE 21 As reported by Local Motion: On June 21st, cyclists will join together to celebrate the life of a man who spent many years promoting trails in South Burlington and encouraging everyone he knew to join him on weekly rides. All are welcome. The event will begin with four contingents converging for a 10am dedication ceremony. Meet at one of these four locations: Butler Farms (9:15am), Kennedy Dr & Williston Rd (9:15am), UVM (9:30am) and Lindenwood Drive (9:45am) for a 10am bridge dedication on the South Burlington Rec Path near Joy Drive. Following the dedication, we will ride up the Burlington Bikepath, across the bike ferry and out to the causeway ­ one of Georgeıs favorite rides. Rain Date: Sunday, June 22nd. Info: lakelou@together.net CHARLOTTE / SHELBURNE - CHAMPLAIN PATH - JULY (DATE TBD) A final public meeting for the Champlain Path feasibility study will be scheduled for sometime in July at the Shelburne Town Offices. If you are interested in knowing more about this Rail-with-Trail effort to extend the Burlington Bike Path south, please contact Christine Forde at the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization 660-4071 or cforde@ccmpo.org - and she'll send you the details of the meeting when it is finalized. JAMAICA - WEST RIVER TRAIL DAY - JUNE 7. For more information on this multi-use trail, contact Steve Ovenden at the Windham Regional Commission - steveno@sover.net GREEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST - PUBLIC HEARINGS VITAL FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS The Green Mountain National Forest is hosting meetings this summer to discuss changes in the Forest Plan. The outcome of the meetings will have a dramatic impact on mountain biking in the Forest as well many other types of Forest users. Please attend the meetings and voice your opinion. The Rutland meetings are at The Franklin Center of the Howe Center from 6:30 -- 9:00 PM on June 24, July 22, and August 26. (One meeting was already held in May.) For additional information contact; Tom Yennerell ; Vermont Mountain Bike Advocates Green Mountain National Forest Liaison at Townmanager@wrutland.org or 247-9791. MIDDLEBURY - WEEKEND TRAIN SERVICE FACILITATES BIKE TOURING! The Champlain Flyer may be stopped in its tracks for now, but the rails are still shiny from use. Here is the schedule for the new Champlain Valley Weekender train (Burlington to Middlebury): http://www.rails-vt.com/champ_weekend.html It has two round trips from Burlington Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I have emailed their marketing person to confirm that bikes are welcomed on the trains. The schedule and stops seems friendly to some great bicycling rides. The first train arrives in Middlebury at 11:15am and the second train departs Middlebury at 3:45pm offering some great cycling time in Addison County. RUTLAND - HEART ALA CARTE AND BIKE TO WORK DAY! - June 1-8 The 3rd Annual, Heart Ala Carte is an 8 day, multifaceted and innovative   special event which focuses on increasing physical activity, highlighting   nutrition & weight reduction, and improving the mental health of Rutland   County's worksite population ~ utilizing the community as a classroom!  The BIKE TO WORK DAY event on Monday, June 2nd. is the work week's "KICK-OFF" event which is being individually coordinated by the Rutland   Area Physical Activity Coalition [RAPAC] & the Vermont Department of Health. The 27th Annual 10K Crowley Road Race & Walk Events, on Sunday, June 8th. is the "GRAND FINALE" of this festival of the heart. 775.4340 - x201   Although Rutland's bike to work day was June 2, it's not too late to participate! Walk or ride your bike to work any day this summer and you'll enjoy the benefits of non-polluting, fitness-promoting transportation. STOWE - SHARE THE ROAD SIGNAGE. Bruce Bell of the Mountain Sports and Bike Shop, working through the Stowe Conservation Commission, is working on Share the Road signs for several "pinch points" along popular bicycling routes in Stowe. If you're interested in knowing more, or in helping Bruce in his effort to make Stowe a more bike-friendly community, please contact him at bruce@bikestowe.com or 253-7919. UPPER VALLEY - TRAILS DAY JUNE 7. Across the Upper Valley region, trails groups affiliated with the Upper Valley Trails Alliance will be celebrating National Trails Day on June 7, and perhaps making use of a new Lending Tool Shed at EMS in West Lebanon (NH). For more info, contact staffer Susan Simmers at trails@valley.net or 649-9075. Also just across the river/border in NH, the Friends of the Northern Rail-Trail are working on extending a multi-use trail (hardpack surface) toward Vermont. See www.northernrailtrail.org or email Dick MacKay at dick.mackay@valley.net. VERMONT (STATEWIDE) - VTRANS PUBLISHES PED/BIKE DESIGN MANUAL. VTrans now has design guidelines for bicycle and pedestrian accommodation for all types of road projects - ranging from in-town bike lanes or wide curb lanes to multi-use paths to sidewalks to bicycle parking. Check out the new manual, linked from the agency website from the pull-down menu at the top of the page. www.aot.state.vt.us If this looks like something you'll be interested in referencing frequently, contact Amy Bell at the agency to receive a deluxe hard copy! 828-5799 Amy.Bell@state.vt.us WAITSFIELD / WARREN - MAD RIVER PATH MEETING. The Mad River Path Association (MRPA) will hold its annual meeting on June 20 at 5:00 pm on the Mad River Greenway Westside section. At the meeting the Board of Directors will report on the progress of the organization and hold an election of officers and directors for the year. At 6:00 pm the MRPA will celebrate the beginning of summer on the newly constructed information kiosk. All past, current and future members are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Parking is available at Hartshornıs Farm Stand and there is a short walk to the kiosk. For more information contact: Kevin Russell 496-7877 or email: path@madriver.com NO NEWS FROM YOUR AREA? We sure would like to know what's going on in some other areas. Please let us know if you are working on anything locally, and we'll plug your info right into the next newsletter. _________________________________________________________________________ OUR GROWING BIKE/PED COALITION: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- VT BIKE/PED MEMBERSHIP ON THE RISE! We're deeply grateful to over 50 new members from across the state who have joined the Coalition in recent months. We are growing in numbers and strength! We represent, directly, about 400 Vermonters, and we're already a couple thousand strong when you consider our affiliate groups! Thank you to all of you who have supported the coalition. And if you're not a member, it's not at all too late to sign up! We have membership forms on our website under "Get Involved" at www.vtbikeped.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINEES SOUGHT - by JUNE 9. As we are growing in strength, we need good leadership at our core. Do you have the leadership, passion, energy, and skills to help us move forward in our mission of promoting walking/bicycling in Vermont? We are very excited to be recruiting 5-6 new faces to fill our 15-member board to capacity this fall. If you are interested (or if you would like to suggest someone to us), please contact President Bunky Bernstein by June 9 at rbernste@zoo.uvm.edu or 425-4200. The nominating committee will meet on June 10. _________________________________________________________________________ UPCOMING EVENTS: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 7 Pedals for Progress Used Bike Collection, Essex Fairgrounds, 9-1 - www.p4p.org June 7 Champ Ride to benefit Vermont CARES - www.vtcares.org/champride.htm June 8 Velo Quebecıs Tour De LıIle in Montreal - www.velo.qc.ca June 15 The year's first guided Cycle the City tour, 10am-2pm, Local Motion (for subsequent tours/schedule - see www.localmotion.org) June 21 Bridge Dedication for George Sporzynski, South Burlington June 21 Blazing Saddles Century Event, Randolph. www.vtozventures.com June 27 Rails To Trails Trail Link conference, 3 days, Providence, RI www.railtrails.org Aug 9 MS 150 bicycle ride, Milton VT nationalmssociety.org/vtn Aug 13 10-mile Burlington bike ride, BBQ and fundraiser for VT Foodbank, 5pm Aug 23 Local Motionıs Double Bike Ferry Weekend, 10-sunset, 652-2453 Aug 24 Aug 23 Mad River Century - Waitsfield/Fayston. ------------------------------------------------------------- and don't forget that your local bike club also has lots of rides waiting for you! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ and finally, as promised above: SAMPLE SHARE THE ROAD LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Sample #1: Turning a confrontation into a "teachable moment" with a letter to the editor On Saturday, as my partner and I were riding our bikes through Bradford village, on our way to the recycling center, a woman in a blue car honked her horn behind us. As she drove past us she rolled down her window and screamed. "Get the f***off the road." I smiled and waved as she drove by and told myself this was about her not me. Most people that drive by us respect a bicyclist's right to the road but some don't. I suppose this woman might have angry that she couldn't drive as fast as she wanted but there are many reasons one must slow down in the village, turning cars, pedestrians, school buses or parked cars. More likely she was angry because she doesn't know that bicyclists have a legal right to the road. Here are some of the rules for sharing the road. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. When you see a bicyclist, reduce your speed and give at least three feet of passing space, just as you would any other slow moving vehicle, and don't pass if oncoming traffic is near. When turning left at an intersection yield to oncoming bicyclists, just as you would to oncoming motorists. When uncertain in any situation, slow down until it's safe to pass. If people want more information about sharing the road, contact the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition www.vtbikeped.org P.O. Box 4003, Burlington VT. 05406 802-861-3300. The Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote bicycling and walking in Vermont. Kathy Davidow, Bradford ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHARE THE ROAD - SAMPLE LETTER #2: "Share The Road - Bicycling in South Burlington" We're all getting out our bikes to enjoy the nice weather. While most of us think of our Recreation Path when we think about bicycling, there are times and places when it is better to use the road. The Path doesn't always go directly where we want to go, and it turns out that it is safer to ride the road where the path crosses many driveways and sidestreets. We should teach our children how to ride safely on the roads. The rules of the road are for everybody, cars and bicycles. Children will become better car drivers if they learn the rules of the road for all vehicles. And they will be safer bicyclists for cars to deal with. How do you ride safely in the road? No matter where you ride, first of all, put on your helmet and adjust it correctly. That means the helmet is level and snug. You can just about stick two fingers under the chin strap. Parents, this means you. Set a good example for your kids by wearing your helmet correctly. Get out that bike. Check your ABCs: A=Air. Feel the tires to be sure they are firm. Pump them up if they are soft. B=Brakes. Squeeze the levers. Try to push the bike against the braked wheels. It shouldn't roll. If the brakes don't work, get them fixed. C=Chain. Look at the chain and crank/ pedals. Wiggle them to be sure that the chain is free to move and won't jam in the chain ring or derailleur. Vermont law says, "...Every person riding a bicycle is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to operators of vehicles, except as to those provisions which by their very nature can have no application." That means you have to stop at stop signs and signal your intentions. Ride on the right. "...A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable..." It is never legal and it is very unsafe to ride your bike on the road facing traffic (as you would if you were walking). You may want start the season by riding a bit on the path to get smooth again before you take on the roads. About half the users of the path are walkers, runners, and roller-bladers, and baby carriages. Ring you bell, or softly call "passing," as you come upon slower users. Pass on the left, but watch where slower users go when they hear you coming. And how do you drive your car safely around bicycles? Here are some commonsense guides: Slow down and wait until it is really safe to pass. Don't squeeze the bicycle. Leave three feet if you are going 25 mph, and a half a lane when you pass at higher speeds. Don't beep that loud horn; this could startle the bicyclist. Local bicycle shops have flyers and information on safe riding and safe driving around bicycles. They can provide advice, tune-ups, and safety checks as well. For more information, get in touch with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition, PO Box 4003, Burlington, VT 05406, 802.861.3300, www.vtbikeped.org. David Jacobowitz South Burlington Recreation Path Committee ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you want to write a letter to your local town paper encouraging drivers to share the road, feel free to use these as models and let us know if you want suggestions/proofreading! Pedal or march on! Becka ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Becka Roolf, Director becka@VTBikePed.org Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition PO Box 4003 . Burlington VT . 05406 802 . 861.3300 office 802 . 324.0261 home/cell ---------------------------------------------------- Roads are for people, not just for people in cars. ---------------------------------------------------- Walking, bicycling, & multi-use trails: your best transportation investment for a healthy Vermont. ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- To ask to be added to or removed from our announcements email list, please email becka@VTBikePed.org - Thank you! ----------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to our VT-based Internet sponsors: Timberline Interactive for website/email and SoverNet for dial-up. ----------------------------------------------------------- The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition is a member- supported organization. Please join, and share the word! For more info and membership forms: www.VTBikePed.org -----------------------------------------------------------