Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Carshare is coming to Montpelier




Montpelier, here we come!

We’re very excited to announce that CarShare Vermont is expanding to Montpelier this April! After two years of grassroots community outreach, extensive market research, and much anticipation, we’re happy to be launching our first expansion project outside of Chittenden County.

We’ve heard from local residents, businesses, and community leaders alike that Montpelier is ready and eager to embrace car-sharing. This spring, in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Transportation and with the city’s support, we’re rolling out a two-year pilot project that will place two fuel-efficient vehicles in the downtown (exact locations are pending city approval). We’re confident that with your continued support, we’ll be able hit the ground running this spring!

Here are a few ways you can help:Become a CarShare Vermont member, and encourage your friends, neighbors, and colleagues to do the same. We’ll need a solid base of members that are ready to use our service as soon as we set up shop. If you’ve been thinking about ditching a car,  go for it – we’ve got you covered!If you work in Montpelier, encourage your employer to set up a business membership this spring. CarShare Vermont can help businesses reduce work-related travel expenses, while providing an enticing employee benefit.Join our outreach team, and help us raise awareness and generate excitement about our service. We’ll need local volunteers to help table at community events, put up posters, knock on doors, post messages on Front Porch Forum, and generally help spread the word.Connect with CarShare Vermont on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and invite everyone in your social network to do the same. Leading up to the launch and beyond, we’ll use social media (as well as this email list) to share information, announce opportunities/events, and generally keep people in the loop.Thank you in advance for all of your support to help make this pilot project a huge success! If you’d like to get involved, please email alicia@carsharevt.org or call (802) 861-2340.



Take the survey!Is CarShare Vermont a good fit for Montpelier?




© 2008-2014 CarShare Vermont

info@carsharevt.org    Phone: 802.861.2340    Fax: 802.861.2371    131 St. Paul Street, Burlington, VT 05401 
 CarShare Vermont is a founding member of the CarSharing Association

Monday, January 26, 2015

Riding Bikes to School Curbs Junk Food Munching

From Bicycling Magazine
Kidical Mass
ds who ride bikes or walk to and from school tend to eat less junk food, according to a new study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine. This doesn’t come as a huge shock—commuting by bike is part of a healthy lifestyle, just like nutritious eating.
The study was conducted at the University of California, Berkeley, where weather is ideal for year-round commuting. Of the 3,316 fourth and fifth graders surveyed, an impressive 27 percent of them actively rode or walked to school. Researchers compared the calorie intake of these kids to their classmates who traveled by bus or car. 
Between the two groups, the passive riders (bus or car commuting) consumed an average of 78 more calories per day in sweets and snack-type foods than their active-commuting peers.
The researchers came to the conclusion that many parents likely provide unhealthy foods during the commute—you can’t stop at a McDonalds drive thru window on your bike, but it’s an easy move in the car. And regardless of where the kids are getting their treats, it’s a lot easier to sit in the backseat and snack on a bag of chips than it is to open that same bag while pedaling down the street. 
Our conclusion? No matter how you look at it, a bike ride or walk to school is healthy for kids!