Posted by Chapin on Feb 08 2010
Tags: Fun, skating, Winter
The first weekend was a smashing success. There was black ice to skate on for as far as the eye could see. Hundreds enjoyed the skating, free nordic skate rentals, the bonfire and other festivities. Come join us for the next three weeks. Next weekend is the F-F-Frozen Chosen race on ice!
Thank you to the Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce, Hero’s Welcome, the Town of North Hero and many others!
Posted by Mark on Feb 04 2010
Tags: Bike Commuting, Safety
Hello Fellow Winter Cyclists and Cycling Enthusiasts:
I wanted to start a diablog about cycling safety. I was hit 2 weeks ago by a drunk driver. I was hit directly from behind and thrown up into the air. I spun in the air several times before coming back down in a snow bank. No broken bones, but a hole the size of a fist in the back of my helmet. I have some major muscle mass tearing in my quads. And my heart rate is 50% higher than my normal heart rate. Other than that, I am pretty much myself. OK, I’m a little hyper.
Eventually, I want to look at some ways to make the bike lane on North Ave. north of BHS, safer for cyclists. I was hit by a drunk driver, my first collision with a moving vehicle for my whole riding career of close to 50 years. Even if the bike lane on North Avenue was totally unambiguous, I would have still been hit by a driver out of control. I am told that drinking and driving violations are dealt with more harshly in other countries. Does this account for lower drinking and driving violations in these countries? Does anyone have numbers?
The driver who hit me left the scene but turned himself in later that night. He has been charged with DUI and leaving the scene. I did not find out about the driver turning himself in until 24 hours later. It was a rough day and still I am plagued with the after shocks of the blindsided collision.
Happy to hear your responses to the questions about a safer bike lane on North Avenue and how to deal with people who drink and drive and cause major upheavals in individuals’ lives and the community at large.
Thanks!
Mark Rowell
Posted by Todd on Jan 27 2010
Tags: Bike Share
The AIGA Vermont chapter presents the first Student Design Challenge to Champlain College students, who were tasked to design a bike share program for the city of Burlington. A juried exhibition will select the top 10 submissions to win student memberships to AIGA, the professional association for design.
Student Design Challenge: A Burlington Bikeshare
Thursday, January 28th 6:00-8:00pm
Opening Night Reception at JDK, 47 Maple Street, Burlington, VT
More info: www.aigavt.org
UPDATE: Though opening night has come and gone, there is still (a little) more time to catch the show. The exhibit stays up until Feb 3rd.
Posted by Chapin on Jan 26 2010
Long-time Local Motion member and VerMontreal Tour alumna Nancy McClellan works at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. To respond to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Nancy has gone to volunteer at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital (HAS) 40 miles NW of Port-au-Prince. Below is a personal note from Nancy. If you’d like to join other members in supporting the hospital, you can learn more at www.hashaiti.org.
We have all been struck by the devastating earthquake that has hit Haiti – a country that is already the poorest in the western hemisphere and one which will have great difficulty dealing with this tragedy. Please let me share with you a personal account of a wonderful institution that deserves your time and attention.
The Albert Schweitzer Hospital (HAS) is located 40 miles NW of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. HAS is an integrated, rural health system for some of the neediest people on this planet. It provides medical care and community health and development programs to the impoverished people of central Haiti. The permanent staff of 550 Haitians is co-ordinated with visiting medical professionals from North American and abroad. HAS has a strong Vermont connection and many area medical personnel have travelled there often. Luckily, HAS sustained little damage from the earthquake and has been able to quickly provide disaster relief to the victims, who are pouring in their doors.
I have been privileged to work as a nurse-midwife at HAS. The hospital is one of the best and most efficiently run in Haiti. Over half of the patients are children, being treated for malnutrition and trauma. I have seen medical conditions that I only read about in textbooks or have seen rarely in my 30 years of caring for mothers and babies-conditions such as neonatal tetanus and eclampsia (seizures in pregnant women). I have traveled 3 hours in a 4WD car over the worst roads you can imagine to a community outreach clinic to teach local women about safe birth practices and sterile techniques-and most importantly, when to bring a laboring mother to the hospital.
HAS is a strong advocate for the Haitian people and they, as is Haiti, are at a crisis point. Please visit their website at www.hashaiti.org and read the compelling updates on the refugees arriving there for aid. Thank you very much. Mesi anpil!
Posted by Todd on Jan 13 2010
Tags: Bike Commuting, Winter
This came in from Nancy Schulz, ED of the VT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition about a recent discussion about winter bike commuting on VPR:
AP Photo/Joe Koshollek
You may recall that a recent “Vermont Edition” program was devoted to bicycling in winter. ”Vermont Edition” is a VPR program that airs at noon every weekday and is re-broadcast at 7:00 pm. While I was in the studio, all six incoming phone lines were busy. Many posted email comments on the VPR web site prior to and after the show. Various people told me they tried to phone but couldn’t get through. All of this indicates that there is great interest among VPR listeners in bicycling. So, here’s the request: If you’d like to see more “Vermont Edition” programming devoted to bicycling, please send an email message to VermontEdition@VPR.net. VPR wants to provide programming that is valued by its audience, so please let your wishes be known.
They also talked with local shop owner, Glenn Eames of the Old Spokes Home. You can listen to the full program and read the discussion here. I’ll echo Nancy’s sentiment that VPR offers quality programming and it’d be great to hear more about biking on there. Send them your thoughts if you agree.
Afterward, head on over to www.vtbikeped.org to learn all about Nancy’s work as a statewide bike/ped advocate.
Posted by Charlene on Jan 06 2010
Tags: Trails, Winter
This week on our Facebook page, a few folks noted that the Burlington bike path was getting plowed. I called Parks and Rec this morning to understand what’s going on with the plowing. The short answer is that Parks and Rec has NOT embarked on a new policy of plowing the path, but since BED is doing a lot of tree work along the path, the path is being plowed where they need to gain access. Burlington Parks and Rec has posted the following on their website:
BIKE PATH PLOWING EXPLAINED:
As a policy the Department does not routinely plow the Burlington bike path so as to allow outdoor recreation enthusiasts the opportunity to utilize the path for skiing, snow-shoeing and more during the winter months. However we recently received several inquiries about plowing that was completed south of Leddy Park along the bike path which bears explanation. The Parks and Recreation tree crew will be performing routine tree trimming maintenance along the bike path which will involve trimming trees around Burlington Electric’s utility lines and improving ’site vision’ at street crossings adjacent to the bike path. This work will be ongoing for the next 3 to 4 weeks and our staff will only clear snow from areas where we need vehicle access. Currently we are working between Leddy Park and the Urban Reserve. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our path users.
Posted by Adele on Dec 14 2009
Tags: Benefits, Membership
The Peace and Justice Center has moved down to the waterfront and is offering Local Motion members a 10% discount on all purchases! Click here for new location info: www.pjcvt.org/contact.htm
Don’t forget, several other local businesses offer discounts to our members:
Lastly, at Local Motion’s Trailside Center, we have a fresh supply of our awesome full color bike jerseys in all sizes. They make great gifts! Learn more.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Local Motion!
Posted by Todd on Dec 11 2009
Tags: Trails, Winter, XC Skiing
Photo credit: Peter Wadsworth
We’re gearing up to groom 3 miles of cross-country ski trails in Burlington’s Intervale. Volunteers are key to making this happen, but we also need feedback from you! If you skied the Intervale during our demonstration last year, how did we do? Once grooming begins this year (we’ll need some snow first), tell us what you think about the new route. Is there adequate signage? Let us know in the comments section below.
For now, think snow!
Posted by Chapin on Dec 05 2009
Tags: South Hero, work day
Thanks to the 15 volunteers who helped remove brush and leaves from the culverts and ditches along the Allen Point Access Area on Saturday, December 5, 2009! It is important to show VT Fish & Wildlife that we appreciate use of this approach to the Causeway Bike Ferry.
Volunteers included: Kathy Magill, Skip Brown, Rosemary Zamore, Ethan Hodgson, Melissa Vinson, Peter Zamore, Carl Frenning, Dolf Wirsing, Wayne Tyrrell, Winnie Pidgeon, Genie Christiansen, Neil Christiansen, Sally Krebs, Bob Krebs and Doug Krebs. Thank you to Ray at Allenholm Farm for being willing to take the leaves!
Posted by Chapin on Nov 04 2009
Tags: policy, segways
802 Segways, a small Vermont company, is proposing to operate guided Segway tours on the Burlington Bike Path and some city sidewalks. Their proposal can be read here. The company has agreed to do a number of good things — requiring guides, helmets, and moderate speeds, but they head into uncharted territory with Burlington commissions considering what regulations to impose on Segway use in general — whether in tours or otherwise.
The Burlington Parks & Recreation Commission met on November 17, 5:30pm at Parks Offices (645 Pine Street, Burlington) to discuss the proposal. About 15 people spoke with feedback split about 50/50. The Commission has asked staff to bring forward a recommendation to their January ‘10 meeting.
What do you think? Is this a benefit to Burlington? Does the proposal need conditions? Should it be rejected? Give us your thoughts!
A couple years ago, due to lobbying from the Segway company, the Vermont Legislature gave Segways “the rights and duties of pedestrians.” However, the state law also allows municipalities to set their own regulations — even if they contradict State law. Here are the key provisions:
Section 1: Definition of Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (aka Segways)
Section 1141a: Required equipment, giving Segways the rights of pedestrians
Section 1132: Segways on sidewalks, setting 8mph speed limit, and age restriction of 16+
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