Local Motion Blog

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.

583Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/01/bikeshare-design-challenge/Bikeshare+Design+Challenge+2010-01-27+19%3A52%3A19Todd

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.

571Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/01/local-motion-members-help-haiti/Local+Motion+Members+Help+Haiti2010-01-26+20%3A01%3A17Chapin

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.

564Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/01/winter-bike-commuting-on-vpr/Winter+Bike+Commuting+on+VPR2010-01-13+20%3A50%3A31Todd

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.

559Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/01/recent-bike-path-plowing-explained/Recent+Bike+Path+Plowing+Explained2010-01-06+17%3A43%3A01Charlene

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:

• North Star Sports, 100 Main Street, Burlington: 10% off accessories and apparel
• Skirack, 85 Main St, Burlington: 10% off accessories and apparel
• Earl’s Cyclery, 2500 Williston Road, South Burlington: 10% off accessories and apparel
• Old Spokes Home, 322 North Winooski Ave, Burlington: 10% off on parts & service

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!

540Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2009/12/discounts-for-members-at-local-stores/Discounts+for+Members+at+Local+Stores2009-12-14+20%3A27%3A20Adele

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!

527Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2009/12/give-us-feedback-intervale-xc-ski-trail/Give+Us+Feedback%3A+Intervale+XC+Ski+Trail2009-12-11+18%3A42%3A03Todd

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!

508Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2009/12/great-south-hero-workday/Great+South+Hero+Workday%212009-12-05+23%3A25%3A01Chapin

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+

Give us your feedback by clicking the comment button below.  Thank you!

495Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2009/11/segways-on-the-burl-bike-path/Segways+on+the+Burlington+Bike+Path%3F2009-11-04+16%3A25%3A09Chapin

Photo credit: Paul O. Boisvert for The New York Times

Lou Bresee of Lake Champlain Bikeways was quoted in a New York Times article about fall foliage bike tours. Writer Katie Zezima took a ride with Bike Vermont and had this to say (emphasis added):

Having grown up in Connecticut and now as a reporter in New England, I’ve leaf-peeped my whole life. But seeing the foliage by bike was more visceral — the gust of cool air in your face, the crunch of riding over acorns, the silence punctuated by the shifting of gears, the feel of a bright red leaf. The entire experience felt closer to nature. I melted into the landscape instead of blowing by it at 60 miles an hour.

It’s also, oddly enough, greener, which may explain why leaf-peeping on bicycle seems to be spreading. As interest in cycling continues to grow, outfitters and local tourism groups are promoting fall riding as a form of sustainable, eco-friendly travel, said Lou Bresee, president of Lake Champlain Bikeways, a nonprofit group that promotes cycling in Vermont, New York and Quebec. And the number of fall biking tours is rising, according to David Harrenstein, executive director of the National Bike Tour Association, which counted at least 59 organized tours for September and October in 2009.

Follow the link for the full article. [New York Times]

483Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2009/10/champlain-bikeways-in-ny-times/Champlain+Bikeways+in+NY+Times2009-10-20+15%3A41%3A16Todd

Only 100 tickets will be sold = a 1 in 10 chance to win a great prize and support Local Motion too!

1. Sleepy Hollow Cabin: 2 Overnights,            Value $200
2. Millstone Trails: Season Pass                                       $105
3. Justin Cruz Salon: Hair Style w/Justin                    $100
4. Rickshaw: Canvas Bag                                                       $75
5. August First Bakery: $60 gift certificate (10 loaves)   $60
6. Blue Bird Tavern: $50 Gift Certificate                     $50
7. Anjou: $25 Gift Certificate & Pitcher                           $40
8. Katharine Montstream: Original Print                   $29
9. Skinny Pancake: $25 Gift Certificate                        $25
10. Local Motion: $35 Membership                                 Priceless

477Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2009/10/raffle-tickets-at-the-benefit-bake-tonight/Raffle+Tickets+at+the+Benefit+Bake+tonight%212009-10-19+19%3A36%3A50Adele