1- Family Bike Safety Clinic and Ride, this Saturday May 24th
• 10 – 11 am: Kids can ride the bike safety skills course set up in the high school parking lot.
• 11 – Noon: Group ride out the bike path west and the River Road to Three Mile Bridge,
returning on the wide shoulder of Route 2.
Best for kids at least 6 years and older. Sorry, no training wheels on group ride. Each rider should bring a
helmet and bicycle in good working order. Some helmets will be available to borrow. All kids should be
accompanied by an adult.
Heavy rain cancels event. For status of event if weather is in question, you may phone 522-4951 after
8:30 that morning.
2 - Bike to Brunch, a guided ride for adults & families to the Maple Valley restaurant & Bakery. Departs
Montpelier High school at 10 am.
About Montpelier’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees
Montpelier's Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees are volunteer-citizen bodies tasked by the City Council
to raise the status of walking and biking in Montpelier by advocating for cyclist and pedestrian issues,
engaging the community, and advising the City Council on relevant issues.
For more information, call 262-6273
Monday, May 19, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
May is Bike Month - Upcoming events from the Montpelier Bicycle Advisory Committee
On Saturday, May 17th, Join Mayor Hollar and members of the bike advisory committee for a mellow-paced ride to the Post Office Cafe in Worcester, said to be “One of Vermont’s hidden little secrets”.
Ride departs from Montpelier High School at 10 AM. All participants must provide their own bicycle and helmet in good working order. Hard rain cancels.
Other Bike to Brunch Events:
May 24th -Bike to Brunch, group ride to Maple Valley in Plainfield
May 31st –Bike to Brunch, ride to On the Rise Café in Richmond
Also on Saturday May 24: Family Bike Safety Clinic and Ride, at MHS.
10 – 11 am: Kids can ride the bike safety skills course set up in the high school parking lot.
11 – Noon: Group ride out the bike path west and the River Road to Three Mile Bridge, returning on the wide shoulder of Route 2.
Best for kids at least 6 years and older. Sorry, no training wheels on group ride. Each rider should bring a helmet and bicycle in good working order. Some helmets will be available to borrow. All kids should be accompanied by an adult.
All rides departs from Montpelier High School at 10 AM. All participants must provide their own bicycle and helmet in good working order.
About Montpelier’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees
Montpelier's Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees are volunteer-citizen bodies tasked by the City Council to raise the status of walking and biking in Montpelier by advocating for cyclist and pedestrian issues, engaging the community, and advising the City Council on relevant issues.
For more information, call 262-6273
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
May 21: Join Lt. Gov. Phil Scott at Ride of Silence
From VBPC
On Wednesday, May 21st all are encouraged to come to the statehouse steps in Montpelier at 5.30pm and join Lt. Gov. Phil Scott in the 2014 Ride of Silence. The annual Ride of Silence is a worldwide event that's held to remember bicyclists who have been injured or killed in crashes with motor vehicles. It's organized in Vermont every year by the VT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition. The goal of the ride is to draw attention to the need for safer roads for all, including the most vulnerable roadway users.
On Wednesday, May 21st all are encouraged to come to the statehouse steps in Montpelier at 5.30pm and join Lt. Gov. Phil Scott in the 2014 Ride of Silence. The annual Ride of Silence is a worldwide event that's held to remember bicyclists who have been injured or killed in crashes with motor vehicles. It's organized in Vermont every year by the VT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition. The goal of the ride is to draw attention to the need for safer roads for all, including the most vulnerable roadway users.
Bicyclists who gather in Montpelier will sign in and then receive black and red arm bands. Each arm band is labeled with the name of a bicyclist who was injured or killed. Our group will bike single file, in silence and at a respectful pace, along Route 2 to the Middlesex General Store. There, we will form a circle for the reading of the names of those injured or killed. After a period of silence, we will return in the same fashion to Montpelier. The ride is 12 miles round trip. Participants are required to wear helmets and to have bicycles that are in good mechanical condition. Heavy rain cancels; rain date is Thursday, May 22.
If you wish to have the name of someone read aloud, please reply to this message with the individual's full name and whether the individual was injured or killed.
Please note that there will be a Ride of Silence in Northfield on May 21. Participants will gather at Bicycle Express on Depot Square at 5:30. The rain date is Friday, May 23. For more info about the Northfield ride, please contact Tim Swartz via swartztim15@gmail.com
With longer, warmer days, more and more bicyclists and pedestrians are enjoying Vermont's roads. Whether we are bicycling, walking, running, riding a horse, or driving, let's remember to behave legally and respectfully toward one another. Thank you.
Public Informational Meeting - Barre Bike Path Wednesday May 21, 5:00 p.m
Public Informational Meeting - Barre Bike Path
Sponsored By:
Barre City & Town Bicycle Path Committees
Wednesday May 21, 5:00 p.m.—Barre Granite Museum
Do you like to bicycle or walk to your destinations but found there was a lack of a safe, fun and
convenient route? Come join both the Barre City and Town Bicycle Path Committees as they report
on developing local Barre businessman, Charlie Semprebon’s dream of creating a regional path that
would connect both communities, report on the Central Vermont Pathway, and report on bike path
segments in Barre City and Barre Town.
We welcome interested community members to attend this informational meeting at the Granite
Museum. The City would create a path with destination points along the way, offering
introductions to the arts, stone craft, Granite Museum, access to the river and other recreational
opportunities.
Two segments of the City bike path have planned construction dates in the spring of 2015 with the
rest of the path segments nearing design completion. Two outstanding features of the paths which
will be highlighted at the meeting are the planned interpretive signage and a sculpture garden
incorporating the bike path in its design located at the Granite Museum.
Come join representatives from the Barre City and Barre Town Bike Path Committees as we share
in our progress! The City is close to having its first “shovel in the ground” and is eager to share its
progress with you! Pizza, dessert and beverage will be served compliments of DuBois & King, Inc.
Pat McDonald, Barre City Bike Path Chair Jeff Tucker, Barre Town Chair
(802) 371-7080 (802) 479-9331 Ext. 1261
patmcdonald444@gmail.com through crogers@barretown.org
Sponsored By:
Barre City & Town Bicycle Path Committees
Wednesday May 21, 5:00 p.m.—Barre Granite Museum
Do you like to bicycle or walk to your destinations but found there was a lack of a safe, fun and
convenient route? Come join both the Barre City and Town Bicycle Path Committees as they report
on developing local Barre businessman, Charlie Semprebon’s dream of creating a regional path that
would connect both communities, report on the Central Vermont Pathway, and report on bike path
segments in Barre City and Barre Town.
We welcome interested community members to attend this informational meeting at the Granite
Museum. The City would create a path with destination points along the way, offering
introductions to the arts, stone craft, Granite Museum, access to the river and other recreational
opportunities.
Two segments of the City bike path have planned construction dates in the spring of 2015 with the
rest of the path segments nearing design completion. Two outstanding features of the paths which
will be highlighted at the meeting are the planned interpretive signage and a sculpture garden
incorporating the bike path in its design located at the Granite Museum.
Come join representatives from the Barre City and Barre Town Bike Path Committees as we share
in our progress! The City is close to having its first “shovel in the ground” and is eager to share its
progress with you! Pizza, dessert and beverage will be served compliments of DuBois & King, Inc.
Pat McDonald, Barre City Bike Path Chair Jeff Tucker, Barre Town Chair
(802) 371-7080 (802) 479-9331 Ext. 1261
patmcdonald444@gmail.com through crogers@barretown.org
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Does Burlington, VT reflect a joint tipping point for roundabouts and cycle track?
Two public meetings in Burlington, VT within the last two weeks give strong evidence both modern roundabouts and cycle track (protected bike lanes) may have reached a tipping point and now comprise major elements in making urban streets both truly walkable and bikable for all users with the highest level of safety and comfort.
Both roundabouts and cycle track possess a European heritage—the modern roundabout born in England in 1966 and cycle track a staple in urban bicycling “infra” for decades now. Applying the Netherlands 18,000 miles of cycle track to the United States equates to about 1,100 miles of cycle track per million U.S. population--45 miles in Burlington with its population of 42,000.
The Burlington meetings were the advisory Burlington Walk Bike Council project prioritization for the upcoming year and the North Avenue Corridor Study Advisory Committee completing its set of options for the last public involvement session schedule later in the month. Each meeting forwarded roundabouts and cycle track for consideration—the Walk Bike Council as priorities for the upcoming year and the Advisory Committee as options for consideration of the neighborhood meeting prior to completing the recommendations and plan in June for the three mile corridor. Both actions represent unprecedented public involvement outcomes in the City in terms of size and scope.
Roundabouts and cycle track play a pivotal role in creating safe, walkable, bikable streets. And, the roundabout also increases traffic capacity as well for cars in addition to car occupant safety and reduced fuel use as well as associated pollutants.
The basic North Avenue plan options include cycle track along the entire three-mile corridor with roundabouts at key intersections. While bicycle travel is mostly restricted to young adult males now, cycle track—as pointed out in the Illinois State Bike Transportation Plan released in April—creates a safe and comfortable environment for users of all ages and skills. Roundabouts not only provide for the highest level of safety for all—including for those who walk and bicycle—the roundabout also traffic calms with reduced speeds central to accident and injury reduction, particularly for those who walk and bike. The Dutch lead in bicycle facility design and cycle track along street segments and “pathed” roundabouts at busy intersections is the accepted treatment for corridor accommodation of the bike mode.
Burlington certainly is not alone in the change taking place, but the sudden embracing of transportation policy groups of both roundabouts and cycle track does symbolize their use has reached a tipping point. And this tipping point represents a pre-condition to the shift of transportation resources to walk and bike “infra.”
Tony Redington
Blog: TonyRVT.blogspot.com
Addition:
Blog: TonyRVT.blogspot.com
Addition:
The blog just posted, below, reflects my view of the two really stunning meetings over the past week. Note the North Avenue Task Force (group of citizens) has contacted the Department of Public Works about a demonstration roundabout/cycle track at a North Avenue intersection using cones for part of a quiet day so we can all visualize a roundabout on the corridor and give emergency personnel, police, the neighborhood, etc. a chance to participate first hand--the Advisory Council unanimously endorsed the demo last night. The Walk Bike Council action included a priority for a demonstration roundabout (probably on an all-way stop intersection), a demonstration cycle track, and re-design of the Champlain Parkway which lacks quality walk/bike facilities on this decades old $39 million project which involves only a 2% City match.
Tony
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Bike to Brunch in May in Central VT
From the VBPC
Bike to Brunch series. Break bread with kindred spirits!
May 10 through May 31 (4 consecutive Saturdays) Participate in a guided bike ride to a different cafe each week.
Destinations will be: Red Hen Bakery and Cafe in Middlesex (12 miles round trip) on May 10; Postal Cafe in Worcester (18 miles round trip) on May 17; Maple Valley in Plainfield (22 miles round trip) on May 24; and On the Rise in Richmond (60 miles round trip) on May 31. Bikes should be in good mechanical condition. Helmets are mandatory. Rain cancels. Gather at the tennis courts at Montpelier High School at 10:00 am.
For more info, contact Nancy@VTBikePed.org
Monday, April 21, 2014
Lots of bike events coming in Vermont!
From the VBPC
Please note the following upcoming events that involve the VT Bike/Ped Coalition:
Please note the following upcoming events that involve the VT Bike/Ped Coalition:
April 22 (Tuesday)--Earth Day Celebration at the Hunger Mountain Coop in Montpelier. Pick up free copies of the VT State Bikeways map, Share the Road bumper stickers, bicycle commuters guides, collision cards, and much more. The VBPC table will be staffed from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. For more info, contactKrystalF@HungerMountain.coop
May 4 (Sunday)--Covered Bridges bicycle ride. Choice of 23, 30, and 36 mile routes. Gathering time is 9:45 am at the Wheeler Lot in Dorset Park, South Burlington. Rolling hills, a chance to visit as many as four covered bridges, and a stop at the Old Brick Store in Charlotte. Co-sponsored with the Green Mountain Bicycle Club. For more info, contact: DavidJacobowitz00v@gmail.com
May 6 through May 27 (4 consecutive Tuesdays), 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm--Boomer Bike Ride series. Classroom instruction in safety, shifting gears, bike fitting, tire changing, and much more plus easy, guided bicycle rides for those age 50+ who want to build their confidence and skills. Montpelier Senior Activity Center. Instruction provided by VBPC. Pre-registration required. For more info, contact DGroberg@montpelier-vt.org
May 6 through May 27 (4 consecutive Tuesdays), 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm--Boomer Bike Ride series. Classroom instruction in safety, shifting gears, bike fitting, tire changing, and much more plus easy, guided bicycle rides for those age 50+ who want to build their confidence and skills. Montpelier Senior Activity Center. Instruction provided by VBPC. Pre-registration required. For more info, contact DGroberg@montpelier-vt.org
May 10 through May 31 (4 consecutive Saturdays)--Bike to Brunch series. Break bread with kindred spirits! Participate in a guided bike ride to a different cafe each week. Gather at the tennis courts at Montpelier High School at 10:00 am. Destinations will be: Red Hen Bakery and Cafe in Middlesex (12 miles round trip) on May 10; Postal Cafe in Worcester (18 miles round trip) on May 17; Maple Valley in Plainfield (22 miles round trip) onMay 24; and On the Rise in Richmond (60 miles round trip) on May 31. Bikes should be in good mechanical condition. Helmets are mandatory. Rain cancels. For more info, contact Nancy@VTBikePed.org
May 12 (Monday)--Safety Forum targeting Windsor and Windham Counties, organized by VTrans. Town Hall, Bellows Falls. 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Among many presenters, the VBPC will discuss bike/ped training for law enforcement officers and drivers' ed students. For more info, contact Susan.Clark@state.vt.us
May 16 (Friday)--Safety Day, organized by VTrans, National Life HQ in Montpelier. 7:00 am to 2:30 pm. VBPC will have an exhibit table and will offer sessions on helmet fitting, two minute bike check, and more. For more info, contact Susan.Clark@state.vt.
May 21 (Wednesday)--Ride of Silence. Annual ride to remember bicyclists killed or injured in crashes with motor vehicles. 12-mile, round-trip ride conducted in silence at a respectful pace. Bicyclists will be provided black and red armbands to wear. Meet at the state house steps in Montpelier at 5:30 pm. For more info, contact Nancy@VTBikePed.org
Additional events can be found at the VBPC web site: www.vtbikeped.org As you bicycle, walk, and/or drive in the coming months, please remember to behave safely, legally, and courteously toward all roadway users. And thank you for supporting the VBPC.
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