National Bike Summit Wrap-Up from Roger
Posted by Chapin on Mar 13 2011
Here’s the wrap-up from Earl’s Cyclery owner Roger Frey on the recent National Bike Summit in DC. Thanks Roger for representing Vermont!
The 11th annual National Bike Summit had it’s largest attendance, 750 people Advocating for Bicycle Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trail programs. In attendance from Vermont, was Patrick Kell Ex. Dir. VMBA, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Dr. Luis Vivanco, UVM, and Roger Frey, owner, Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness. Also attending as a Seminar presentor was Mrs. Holly Knox, of Stockbridge, of the US Forest Service.
The summit provides attendees education in all areas of bicycle usage, and the processes necessary for federal and state assistance/partnerships. Also,presentations from Sec of Transportation, Ray Lahood, and Sec Ken Salazaar highlighted the event co-ordinated by the League of American Bicyclists.
Vermont is fortunate to have our three members of Congress behind appropriations for bicycle programs as stated above. We met with Congressman Peter Welch, and key staffer Mary Sprayragen, Mr. Greg Cota, Transportation staff planner for Senator Leahy and Mr. David Cohen, Staff Assistant to Senator Sanders.
Vermont’s key areas of need include funding for improvements of the Colchester Causeway and Burlington Bike Path. The 3 attendees also advocated for LVRT, 93 mile cross Vermont multi-use recreational path from Swanton to St.Johnsbury. Ongoing trail programs in Waterbury/Stowe, Ascutney and greater Middlebury area were discussed. US Forest Service has recently granted VMBA a grant for trail development in the Moosalamoo National Recreational Area.
Bicycle usage and bicycle tourism continues to increase. Citizen support and funding is sorely needed to meet this growing demand. Vermont’s position in New England, as a vacation destination for the ‘Great Outdoors’ is the niche we must continue to develop. Bicycle Tourism is fast becoming a leading economic engine of our state’s tourism revenue base.
Submitted by Roger Frey, Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness
No Comments »
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
