Friday, April 26, 2013

AllEarth Renewables named Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists

From VTDigger

NEWS RELEASE — AllEarth Renewables
April 22, 2013
Solar tracker manufacturer earns silver-level designation in national cycling program
Williston, VT … April 22, 2013 … As businesses work to support healthy employees and reduce their environmental impact, some companies are promoting bike-friendly workplaces.
On this Earth Day, the League of American Bicyclists recognized AllEarth Renewables with a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award.
With the announcement of 63 new BFBs today nationally in 44 states, AllEarth Renewables joins a visionary group of more than 500 businesses, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that are transforming the American workplace.
AllEarth Renewables, a solar tracker manufacturer in Williston, VT is an Inc. 500 company for fastest growing businesses nationwide, and was designated one of the 2013 Best Places to Work in Vermont.
“More and more business leaders are realizing that bicycling is a simple and cost-effective way to move toward a more productive company,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “Promoting healthy transportation is increasingly attractive to employers and prospective employees, and it’s moving America toward a more sustainable future.”
Being bike-friendly has helped AllEarth Renewables to support a healthy, lower-carbon workforce and reduce cost of living expenses among its 27 employees — and it’s a concept that’s mission-centric for a manufacturer of solar energy systems already committed to a triple bottom-line of profits, people and the planet.
On any given day in the summer, more than a third of the company saddles up to get to work or run errands near its Williston office and at least three employees commute to work by bike year-round. The company encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides shared bikes, lockers, shower facilities, bike maintenance tools, and the use of company vehicles for mid-day appointments. AllEarth Renewables also offers incentives such as a carbon-reduction benefit program and a wellness benefit allowance that can be used to purchase cycling and bike-safety equipment. An annual three-day group ride led by the CEO allows employees and their family members an opportunity for long-distance cycling.
Last year, AllEarth Renewables participated in the Vermont Bike Challenge, part of a national effort to engage cyclists around the country. The company won the statewide challenge in its size division. Vermont-based cycling advocacy nonprofit Local Motion coordinated the Vermont portion of the challenge, and afterward reached out to Vermont businesses to help them apply to the League’s BFB program, including AllEarth Renewables.
“AllEarth Renewables is honored to be named a Bike Friendly Business. Promoting bicycling fits well with our company values, is fun, and makes good business sense. I encourage other Vermont businesses and communities to join us in the Bike Friendly America program,” said David Blittersdorf, President and CEO of AllEarth Renewables. Blittersdorf added, “Local Motion deserves great credit for all of its efforts promoting biking in Vermont. As a company, we’re looking forward to participating in the 2013 Vermont Bike Challenge, starting on May 1.”
As a result of the designation, AllEarth Renewables will have access to a variety of free tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly.
More about the free Bicycle Friendly Business program can be found by visiting the League online at bikeleague.org/businesses.

Cyclists and visibility

From Road.cc
Happy Spring riding out there! Stay visible and safe everyone.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Way to Go! Commuter Challenge coming up: May 13-17th! Sign up NOW.

From Way to Go
Who's Ready to Go?
May 13-17, 2013 / Sign Up Today!


TAKE THE COMMUTER CHALLENGE!

Way To Go week is a chance for you or your organization to go toe to toe against carbon pollution and win. Bike, walk, carpool or ride the bus to victory! Win prizes, have fun–and help us reach our goal of reducing 500,000 lbs or carbon pollution in Vermont.

NEW! CHALLENGE ANOTHER BUSINESS!

This year we have a new sign up feature where you can request to challenge another business to a Carbon Throw Down. We’ll be awarding special prizes to every business that challenges another business. Build morale, engage a deeper corporate culture and kick some tailpipe. Everyone wins!

NEW! THE ZIMRIDE CHALLENGE

Sharing a ride just got a whole lot easier with Go Vermont’s awesome new carpool matching software, Zimride. It allows you to locate other travelers headed your way and arrange to share a ride. This year the organization with the most new Zimride sign ups as part of Way To Go week will win a special Carbon Cup trophy! Just sign up for Zimride with the same email you use to register for Way to Go and you will be automatically entered.

WHO WILL WIN THE CARBON CUP in 2013?

What do companies like AllEarth Renewables, Vermont Teddy Bear, and Dealer.com have in common? They’ve all won our coveted Carbon Cup in past years. Does your company have what it takes to de-throne the current carbon kings? Sign up and take them on!
Learn more…

NEED HELP PLANNING A RIDE?

Contact us at 800.685.RIDE (7433) or info@waytogovt.org

Vermont Ride of Silence coming up May 15th!

From the VBPC

The VBPC will be hosting the annual Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 15.  All are invited to gather at 5:30 pm in front of the state house steps for a silent, mindful ride to Middlesex and back.  We ride to remember all bicyclists who have been killed or injured in crashes with motor vehicles and to draw attention to the need for safer roads.  

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Should Cyclists Be Taxed For Street Repairs?


On February 20th, Washington state lawmakers proposed a $10 billion transportation bill. Inside the bill is a $25 tax on new bicycle purchases that has been the focus of much debate.
Yup, a $25 "sales fee," in addition to existing sales tax, on any new bike over $500. Why? Because some think, "cyclists need to pay their fair share for road maintenance."
The tax is being called "symbolic" by bike advocates and the very people who are proposing it. Even the bill's architect has said she doesNOT support the tax. We agree it's symbolic: symbolic of how misguided our current transportation policies are.
So how is a Washington state transportation bill, that has no chance of becoming law, relevant to you? Because it's indicative of a larger problem, and part of deceptive dialogue about road rights and spending. Follow us down this rabbit hole.

MYTH

Roads pay for themselves through user fees on cars and gas, and therefore bicyclists don't pay their fair share toward road maintenance.

FACT

User fees don't sustain roads. All public roadways are heavily subsidized by taxpayers, regardless of use. 

Who Pays For Roads?
The national average from taxes and fees on cars is 50.7%. The other 49.3% comes from a host of sources that nearly ALL taxpayers contribute to: property tax, income tax, sales tax, public transit fares, bonds and so on. So, part of your rent? Roads. The sales tax on your iPhone? Roads. Your bus ticket? Roads.

Who Benefits From Cycling?
Everyone. Literally everyone. Cycling reduces road congestion, which should make drivers happy. Cyclists are better customers, spending on average more money locally than drivers, which should make businesses happy. Cycling reduces major health problems like obesity and heart disease, which makes riders happy, as well as the taxpayers who have to subsidize health care costs.
Cycling in fact even makes your city money. Copenhagen, the worlds preeminent cycling city, estimates that every mile traveled by bicycle saves the city 42 cents in health care and transportation costs among other things, while every mile traveled by car costs the city 20 cents.
Why Is This The Worst Idea Ever?
This proposed fee represents a barrier to cycling. It's a financial bar that anyone interested in cycling has to hurdle. As we just demonstrated above, cars can't afford to pay for roads, and neither can our planet. We should be encouraging alternatives, like transit and cycling, not taxing those who wish to make the switch.
People drive because our cities and suburbs have prioritized driving, at the expense of so much else, for decades. It's long past time to accept that system is not sustainable. Mobility does not belong to the motorist. It's paid for and relied upon by all of us.