Thursday, November 29, 2012

Host a Bike Commuter Clinic at your Workplace/ Winter Riding Clinic at FreeRide Dec 9th

From Local Motion

2012-11-28 12.53.55Would you like to try biking to work -- but want a few pointers?
We're here to help!  ContactJason VanDriesche about setting up a bike commuter workshop at your workplace. 
Yes, we can even do a clinic on winter bike commuting.  There's no bad weather, just bad clothing and inadequate gear!
In partnership with CATMA, Old Spokes Home and the City of Burlington, we hosted a successful workshop on November 28 for a dozen Burlington employees (see picture).  We make it fun and interactive, so contact us today!

From FreeRide Montpelier

Sunday, Dec. 9th 1-4pm
Are you curious about riding your bicycle through the winter? Have you ever tried it? Do the weather and conditions intimidate you? Then this is the workshop for you. From how to dress, how to maintain your bicycle in the winter and where to park it, to dealing with winter weather challenges on the road and planning your route, this workshop will also include a tutorial on how to make studded snow tires and cheap home-made fenders for snow and slush. This is a very in-depth look at the logistics of actually commuting through the winter in Central Vermont. You will leave equipped with knowledge, inspiration, AND a winter commuting resource booklet! Don’t miss it.
Taught by Josh
Each workshop has a suggested donation of $10 and takes place in the upstairs room of the Freeride Bike Shop (89 Barre St. Montpelier)
Check out our web site for more information about the shop: www.freeridemontpelier.org
Questions? call Madeline 229-5951 or email freeridemp@riseup.net


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

New LINK Busses to double capacity

From Local Motion

Thanks to the vision of CCTA and VT's Congressional delegation, the new LINK buses between Burlington and Montpelier will have capacity for 4 bikes -- and protected in the luggage bays under the bus!  Click on the picture below to get step-by-step bike loading instructions. 
Bike storage on MCI buses close up 510px
These great new MCI coach buses have greater passenger capacity and amenties too!  They seat 57 passengers -- instead of 39.  They have power plugs, overhead light and individualized climate control at every seat. 
These new larger buses will go into service on the Montpelier Link Express on Monday, November 19th and will be phased into service on the Middlebury and St. Albans Link Express routes.  Now's the time to get on the bus!
Together, CCTA, Local Motion, CarShare Vermont, the Agency of Transportation, the CCRPC and our Congressional delegation is helping to bring cleaner and greener transportation options to more and more Vermonters. 
Below is the Front Porch Forum posting from CCTA: 

CCTA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW COMMUTER BUSES
CCTA is pleased to announce the launch of seven new commuter buses. The new larger buses will be phased into service on CCTA’s Link Express routes traveling from Burlington to Montpelier, Middlebury, and St. Albans beginning on Monday, November 19th. The seven 45-foot Motor Coach Industry buses will be the largest in CCTA’s fleet, offering 57 seats and the capacity for four bicycles.
CCTA pursued funding for the larger buses in 2011 based on the ongoing growth of its three Link Express routes and the clear need for additional passenger capacity. In the most recently completed fiscal year, the three Link Express routes carried a combined 146,757 passengers, which represents a 13% increase over the previous year and builds on substantial growth since the first Link route began in 2003.
In late 2011, with the support of the Vermont Congressional delegation, CCTA was successful in securing a $3,360,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Livability Initiative to purchase the larger buses to meet the growing ridership demands. In addition to a 46% increase in seating capacity and a 100% increase in bicycle capacity, the new buses offer improved Wifi service, power outlets at every seat, and passenger controlled vents and lights.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

New Bike Racks for Montpelier

Thanks to VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager Jon Kaplan and other VTrans staffers Montpelier has new inverted U bike racks in the following locations: Kellogg Hubbard Library, Montpelier Recreation Center, Montpelier Senior Activity
Ctr., Shaw's Bus Stop, the City Pool and the Civic Center.

CCTA Link Express upgrades to larger buses


BURLINGTON, Vt. -
The Chittenden County Transportation Authority has purchased a fleet of bigger busses for its growing Link Express routes.

CCTA has seen ridership rise steadily on its commuter runs from Burlington to Montpelier and Middlebury, to nearly 147,000 passengers last year. To accommodate that growth, CCTA purchased seven new coach-style busses. The busses are the largest in the CCTA fleet, with 57 seats and room for four bicycles. They will be phased into service beginning next Monday. 
The busses were paid for with a $3.4 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

From VBPC
CCTA Announces Launch Of New Commuter Buses:
CCTA is pleased to announce the launch of seven new commuter buses. The new larger buses will be phased into service on CCTA’s Link Express routes traveling from Burlington to Montpelier, Middlebury, and St. Albans beginning on Monday, November 19th. The seven 45-foot Motor Coach Industry buses will be the largest in CCTA’s fleet, offering 57 seats and the capacity for four bicycles.

CCTA pursued funding for the larger buses in 2011 based on the ongoing growth of its three Link Express routes and the clear need for additional passenger capacity. In the most recently completed fiscal year, the three Link Express routes carried a combined 146,757 passengers, which represents a 13% increase over the previous year and builds on substantial growth since the first Link route began in 2003.

In late 2011, with the support of the Vermont Congressional delegation, CCTA was successful in securing a $3,360,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Livability Initiative to purchase the larger buses to meet the growing ridership demands. In addition to a 46% increase in seating capacity and a 100% increase in bicycle capacity, the new buses offer improved Wifi service, power outlets at every seat, and passenger controlled vents and lights.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Montpelier Bike Summit a great success! Optimistic news on Montpelier Bike Path



Last nights Bicycle Summit in Montpelier, VT turned out to be a great success. Over 60 people followed the invitation of Mayor John Hollar, at the Bike/Ped Forum two weeks ago. Visitors ranged from local commuters, recreational riders, a newspaper reporter for the Bridge to City officials, Police officers and bicycle advocates. The discussion was split up into three main groups, one discussing the situation of local Mountain bike/multi-use trails and single track in the Montpelier area, the second one touched on the topic of a potential annual bicycle festival for downtown Montpelier and the third (and biggest) group talked about safety on Montpelier's roadways, and the (non-)existing bicycle infrastructure. Although these three topics go hand in hand, and a local bicycle festival for example would help showing off the local multi-use trails or an existing bike lane infrastructure, the three groups individually came up with suggestions and ideas for further steps and actions.
The third group (on bike safety and infrastructure) came up with the idea to create a Bike Master Plan for the city of Montpelier, to eventually help make Montpelier a (Bronze medalist) bicycle-friendly city, a reward given out by the League of American Bicyclists. As further action steps this would include a list of the most dangerous spots for cyclists in the Montpelier, as well as necessary precautions, such as a painted bike lane, Sharrows, new road surfaces, improved removal of debris or snow etc. A number of participants suggested  an improved North-South bike axis for cyclists through the city. This list of 'requests' could be sent to the city's department responsible for paving, lane painting and could ideally (if budget allows) be incorporated in upcoming construction work. Furthermore, the participants discussed a potential website where to road hazards for cyclists, pedestrians etc. could be reported to (such as severe potholes, missing or dangerous signage, debris, etc.)
On another note, according to Mayor John Hollar there is news on the developments on the 'gap' in the Montpelier bike path. The City is planning and working on connecting the two pieces of the path by installing a separate bike/ped bridge over the river behind Shaw's. Also, the city is planning on purchasing the open lot on the other side, and once these negotiations are concluded the continuation of the bike path over to Taylor Street is just a matter of time. For the eastern end of the bike path (by Hunger Mountain Coop) construction is planned to begin in teh spring of 2013 and connect the path to Berlin!
Intersection Main and State, not (yet) very bicycle-friendly
The public works department of Montpelier collected all attendees email addresses to form a listserv / google group for further coordination of action and  potential future meetings. Over all a very pormising meeting showing off lots of potential for the (bike) future in Montpelier, Vermont.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

VT Transportation Board Seeks Your Input

From Local Motion
VT TB

This fall, the Vermont Transportation Board will hold six public hearings at various locations around the state for the purpose of gathering public comment about transportation-related issues that face the State of Vermont.

Working with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) as well as the state's 11 Regional Planning Commissions, the Board identified six "hot" transportation topics on which it would like public input. While these six topics will be discussed at every hearing, time also will be provided for Vermonters to broach any additional transportation topic they wish.
"The Transportation Board likes to travel around the state to ensure it understands what is on people's minds," said Maurice Germain, Chairman of the Transportation Board. "We have certain topics that we specifically want people to address, but we also want people to provide us an earful regarding whatever topic is most important to them."

These six hot topics are:
• Transportation Revenues
• Bike & Pedestrian Issues
• The Future of Passenger Railroad & Inter-City Bus Services
• Climate Change – Resilience & Adaptation of the Transportation Network
• VTrans' Accelerated Bridge Program
• Roadway Safety

At each hearing, the Board will present background information regarding each topic to set the stage for discussion and comment. Following the hearings, the Board will submit a written report to both VTrans and the Vermont Legislature. The Board also will post the report on its website.

The public hearings will be held on the following dates:

1. October 24 in Brattleboro at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Windham Regional Career Center, 80 Atwood Street, Brattleboro, VT.
2. October 25 in Rutland at 6:30 p.m. in the Fox Room at the Rutland Free Library, 10 Court Street, Rutland, VT.
3. October 30 in White River Junction at 7 p.m. at the Upper Valley Academic Center, 145 Billings Farm Road, White River Junction, VT.
4. November 8 in St. Johnsbury at 6:30 p.m. at the Northeastern Vermont Development Association, 26 Easter Ave, St. Johnsbury, VT.
5. November 13 in Winooski at 6:30 p.m. at the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, 110 West Canal Street, Suite 202, Winooski, VT.
6. November 14 in Montpelier at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Vermont Regional Commission, 29 Main Street, Suite 4, Montpelier, VT.

"These locations were chosen with the help of officials at the state's Regional Planning Commissions," Mr. Germain said. "Next year, the Board will change the locations to provide as much geographic diversity as possible."

People who cannot attend a hearing can submit written comment by visiting the Board's website at http://www.aot.state.vt.us/tboard.

The upcoming hearings are being conducted according to Title 19 V.S.A. § 5(d)(8), which charges the Transportation Board to work together with the Agency of Transportation to hold public hearings "for the purpose of obtaining public comment on the development of state transportation policy, the mission of the Agency, and state transportation planning, capital programming and program implementation."

For more information, contact the Board's Executive Secretary John Zicconi atjohn.zicconi@state.vt.us or by calling 802-828-2942.