 This week, leave your car at home and join the fun! Individuals, businesses, schools, organizations, everyone is welcome. Have a positive impact on air quality and on your health. There's still time to sign up for the Way to Go Commuter Challenge!
For one week, get to work or school by walking, biking, taking the bus, telecommuting or carpooling. Sign up at www.waytogovt.org – it takes just one minute – and find out how much carbon dioxide you'll save! You'll be entered into a drawing for great prizes – iPods, cordless electric mowers, overnight stays, golf and ski passes and more. Last year nearly 2,000 Way to Go! participants saved an estimated 283,000 commuting miles, 243,000 pounds of CO2, and $44,000 in transportation expenses. This year's goal is to save at least 500,000 pounds of CO2, so be sure to register today at www.waytogovt.org.
Trail Finder Launched
Over two years in development with 50 volunteers, Local Motion's new Trail Finder was unveiled on Earth Day.
The Trail Finder is a free online resource for 77 walking, biking, hiking, and mountain biking trails in Chittenden County. Residents and visitors can get maps and directions, learn about trail features, and submit comments and photos.
The Trail Finder is a partnership between 40 towns, trail groups and regional planning organizations. Tourism organizations will use this resource at welcome centers and in marketing materials. All partners are recognized at the bottom of every web page.
This first phase of the project has been funded by the VT Recreation Trails Program, Chittenden Co. Metropolitan Planning Org., Merchants Bank and Local Motion members. Special thanks to Pam Brangan at the CCRPC for her mapping expertise.
Phase Two Underway: Over the next year, we will be adding on-road cycling routes and expanding beyond Chittenden County. We are excited to announce that Skirack, one of Vermont's premier outdoor shops, has made a sizeable financial gift to fund the Trail Finder's expansion. Want to volunteer? Contact charlene@localmotion.org.
See the coverage in the Free Press, Seven Days and WCAX. Thank you to the volunteers, trail managers and funders who made this project possible!
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Be a Sidewalker!
 Join the Burlington Dept. of Public Works, AARP and your neighbors on a 3.5 mile walk at any time during the last 2 weeks of May! Sidewalkers will help inventory 120 miles of City sidewalks that have never been assessed before. Sidewalkers will be given a route to walk and an assessment worksheet to help identify sidewalk conditions on your route.
Interested? Contact Nicole Losch at nlosch@ci.burlington.vt.us or 865-5833. Then, come to a one-hour sidewalker training on either May 12 or 13 at 5:30 pm at DPW. For more info: www.dpw.ci.burlington.vt.us.
2008 VT Mountain Bike Summit :: May 7-9 in Stowe
Come learn how you can help build a mountain biking culture in Vermont. Attend the 2008 Mountain Bike Summit at the Stowe Mountain Resort, May 7-9, 2008. This gathering will be of value to stakeholders in the recreation industry. Workshops will include: mountain bike trail design and construction at ski resorts; trends in the mountain bike industry; community based mountain bike trails; developing healthy lifestyle programs for children and youth; the Kona Bike Parks program, and the IMBA 'RideCenter' program.
Various registration options are available at www.vmba.org. Contact: Patrick patrick@vmba.org.
Bristol Gives 300 Helmets to Students!
Recreation Director Gerrie Heuts and Michaela Casey from Bristol Elementary prepare to hand out helmets after a BikeSmart presentation. |
Bristol is taking physical activity seriously. As part of their Safe Routes To School efforts, the school has hosted safety presentations, secured money to connect sidewalks and given out helmets to all elementary students. Local bike touring company VBT has also pitched in to help. More is coming - a safety "Bike Rodeo" is scheduled for June 14 and the PTO is gearing up for walking school buses this fall. Congrats Bristol! Contact Gerrie Heuts, bristolrec@gmavt.net, 453-5885. |
Enjoy a Canadian Ride
 On Saturday, June 7, 2008 the town of Venice-en-Quebec will host the second annual CCLACC (Circuit Cycliste du Lac Champlain). This is a fun, well organized, ride on VERY flat terrain with three fully supported routes - 15, 35 and 60 miles in length - followed by a lunch. Venice-en-Quebec is about an hour ride from Burlington. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of our French Canadian neighbors. English is a second language for most of the population and the inability to speak French should not discourage anyone. Check out the CCLACC website, www.CCLACC.ca for more information. Deadline for registration is May 18.
Gearing Up For Charity Rides
Fundraising rides are how Vermonters enjoy the summer while supporting good causes. Never tried one? Now's the time! An anonymous donor is offering 6 scholarship slots for first-time participants to the June 14 VT Cares CHAMP Ride for HIV/AIDS. Contact Peter Jacobsen at 800-649-2437 for info. This event starts and finishes at Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh. Riders can choose from a five routes (12, 25, 50, 70, or 100 mile) that meander on paved Addison County roads between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. The CHAMP Ride for HIV/AIDS has two sign up options: a $35 registration fee with a $100 fundraising minimum and new for 2008, a $75 registration option without fundraising. To register, click on www.firstgiving.com/vermontcares.
Our Bicycle Recycle Vermont team was a top fundraiser in the 2007 Champ Ride. Join us in 2008!
Charity Bike Tour Calendar:
Industry Spotlight: VT Outdoor Shops
In this global and online age, we Vermonters are fortunate to have so many locally-owned outdoor shops. The benefits go far beyond the retailers’ great customer service, for they are all engaged in making our communities better places to live. Each month this year, Local Motion will profile a different locally-owned outdoor shop by highlighting their talented staff and their community contributions. Buying our outdoor gear locally keeps us healthy in so many ways.
April Profile: North Star Sports
Pat Miller's Passion -- Getting Everyone Active
 What started as a shopping trip ended up as a career. In 1984, Pat Miller wanted to buy a road bike for her daughter Molly. It didn't go well. "I couldn't find a road bike that fit her." The industry at the time was not designing bikes for women and definitely not for girls who wanted to be athletes. Pat was determined to change this.
A year later, Pat opened a mail order business for BMX, freestyle, and women's bikes in the basement of her Colchester, VT home. It wasn't long before Pat outgrew her basement and established a storefront on Heineberg Drive behind Danform Shoes in 1986. "I wanted to give girls and boys the opportunity to explore the freedom of riding a bike - especially at a time when video games were drawing more kids inside."
In the late eighties, North Star Sports co-located with the Downhill Edge on Burlington's Main Street. In 1990, Pat moved into 100 Main Street, their current location. The shop works hard to make women, seniors, kids ... everyone feel comfortable as they find the right gear.
Growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, Pat admits she was a bit of a tomboy. Her 8 siblings saw her love of cycling, and while money was tight in the family, they all pitched in to buy Pat an orange Italian road bike at the local toy and hobby shop. Today, Pat runs one of the few women-owned bike shops in the country. "When I started there were under a dozen women-owned bike shops out of 5,000 shops nationwide."
Pat, Jay and son JP all work together at this family-run business. They make the value of a locally-owned business clear. "Our donations are targeted locally since we're part of this community." They have hosted free community events such as "BMX Air Shows" that benefit the King Street Youth Center, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Burlington Skate Park. For the past 3 years, they've worked with IBM employees to build and donate bikes to low-income youth. In addition, they donate product to help many local entities such as area libraries and Burlington's Ronald McDonald house.
When asked what keeps her going, Pat quickly responds "It's the people I meet - they're not just customers, they become friends."
The Team at North Star Sports
Be A Local Motion Business Sponsor
Be a partner in Local Motion's success. New this year, we've launched a high-profile sponsorship program for businesses who want to help us develop an active culture of walking and bicycling. We have opportunities from $50 to 5,000. The following companies have already contributed at the Hero level:
Job Opportunity
In June, the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition will be hiring a dedicated and computer-savvy Membership & Office Coordinator to work part-time in their Montpelier office. The Membership & Office Coordinator is responsible for maintaining contact with members, the membership database, renewals and recruitments, website updating, and general office help. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Nancy Schulz at 225-8904 or nancy@vtbikeped.org.
Calendar
Get involved with your local town trail group! Every town has a Recreation Path Committee or Trail Committee, and they usually meet monthly. Meeting dates at www.localmotion.org/advocacy/committees.htm
May 7-9 |
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May 8 |
From the Green to the Pristine
The Burlington Walking Work Group will host its 3rd community walk during Way to Go! Week. Meet at the UVM Davis Center Green main entrance at 5pm to walk down historic Main Street. Sunset refreshments at the Waterfront Boathouse. Questions contact: Ita Meno, CEDO, 865-7172
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May 10 |
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May 12 or 13 |
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Jun 1
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Jun 6-7 |
SculptCycle Kick-Off Events
The Montpelier Downtown Community Assoc is bringing art to the streets with 20 "SculptCycles" sculptures made out of recycled bikes. Available to view the first week of June, then auctioned off Oct 4th. More details at www.sculptcycle.org
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Jun 14 |
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Jun 22 |
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Happy Trails!
Local Motion 2008 Crew
Anna, Brian, Chapin, Charlene, Jill, Kevin, Leanna, Lou, Mark, Pam, Ron, Ronald, Ryan, Solvei, Todd, and Wilson
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