Local Motion Blog

It’s here — the Trail Finder app for the iPhone! It’s free and so easy to use.  Download it from iTunes here.

Your smart phone is now your trail map. Over 200 trails in Vermont are now searchable from your phone.  You can pull up maps, read the details, submit comments or even a photo at the touch of a button.

Thank you to volunteers (and brothers) Todd Taylor and Troy Taylor of Woodchuck Apps who made this possible.   Thanks also to the Vermont Recreation Trails Program and the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council.

But wait, there’s more! The next version that will be compatible on other smart phones will be out by Spring 2012.  Also, we want your feedback on this first edition so we can improve the app in the next edition.

Want to help take the Trail Finder to the next level?  Volunteer! Contact Chapin to find out how you can pitch in.

2273No Comments »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/12/volunteers-launch-trail-finder-app-for-iphone/Volunteers+Launch+Trail+Finder+App+for+iPhone%212011-12-05+03%3A51%3A56Chapin

The day after Thanksgiving my husband and I decided to drive down to Chimney Point and walk across the new Champlain Bridge which opened a few weeks ago, replacing the 1929 bridge that was condemned as unsafe a little over 2 years ago. The new bridge arches over this narrow point in Lake Champlain connecting Crown and Chimney Points as gracefully as the old bridge, but with its sidewalks, bike lanes, and crosswalks at either end, it opens a whole new world of views and opportunities to the pedestrian and cyclist. We were not able to park safely on the Vermont side as there was still construction going on to remove the infrastructure built to accommodate the temporary ferry that ran while the new bridge was being built. So we drove across the bridge and parked in a state parking lot on the New York side. Much to our surprise and delight, the small parking lot was nearly full. Many others were taking advantage of this late November holiday to walk across the bridge now that there are sidewalks and bike lines on both sides of the bridge and well marked crosswalks on both ends. We headed to Vermont along the south side, up and over the arch, crossed to the north side at the well marked crosswalk at the east end and then headed back to New York, stopping frequently to take pictures. We passed parents and children of all ages, grandparents with grandchildren, and groups of adults, young and old. In fact, there were more people walking across the bridge than cars driving across.

The view from both sides is spectacular of course, even with the wind howling and screeching through the structure. I could not help but think of the many times in the past I have crossed that bridge longing to stop at the top and take a picture, but with no place to pull over, or opportunity to walk or bike safely across. What an improvement! Build it and they will come!

22592 Comments »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/11/a-pedestrian-friendly-champlain-bridge/A+Pedestrian+Friendly+Champlain+Bridge2011-11-29+01%3A41%3A59cathy

When the Burlington Police Department announced in October that it was starting to issue tickets and warnings to bicyclists and pedestrians who violate traffic laws, Local Motion’s phone started ringing within days. Irate bicyclists who had been issued tickets or warnings wanted to know what was going on — and why they were being singled out.

The fact is, bike riders aren’t the only ones getting tickets. Local Motion been working closely with the police to monitor how many tickets and how many warnings are given out to each mode — pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists — so as to ensure that this enforcement initiative is fair and even-handed. Here is a summary of tickets and warnings issued during the first two enforcement details (October 21 and November 7):

Motorists:  8 tickets and warnings

Bicyclists:  4 tickets and warnings

Pedestrians:  16 tickets and warnings

Across the board, police officers focused on the kinds of violations that are most likely to result in pedestrian and bicyclist crashes and injuries. For motorists, this means that most of the citations were for running red lights, speeding, failing to yield, or the like.  For bike riders, most of the citations were for running red lights or riding without lights at night.  And for pedestrians, most citations were for crossing against the signal or not at a crosswalk.

The reality is, people on foot and on bike get hurt not only because cars are big and heavy and fast, but also because people do dumb and/or illegal things. Sometimes the people doing those things are in cars.  Sometimes they are bicycling.  And sometimes they are out on foot.  Regardless, a little enforcement can go a long way towards making sure people play by the rules.

Please give us a call or send an email if you have thoughts you’d like to share about the best role of enforcement in making our streets safer:  jason@localmotion.org or 861-2700 x109. This is an evolving project, and we’re always looking for good ideas.

Many thanks to the Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program for funding our safe streets work, the Burlington Police Department for putting time and resources into bike-ped safety, and our many other partners for making the Safe Streets Collaborative possible.   For more info, visit www.safestreetsVT.org.

22115 Comments »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/11/burlington-police-step-up-enforcement-for-bike-ped-safety/BTV+Police+Step+Up+Enforcement+for+Bike-Ped+Safety2011-11-22+15%3A54%3A57Jason

Listening to the needs of cyclists, CCTA’s next generation of the popular LINK commuter buses will accommodate 4 bikes per bus — much better than the current two-bike limit.

I’ve served on the CCTA Board for 10 years and I’ve been pleased with the Authority’s increasing attention to multi-modal transportation.  This 4-bike capacity is another great advancement for our region’s sustainable transportation future.

The motorcoaches will accommodate the bikes in the luggage compartments below the bus.  This is an example of the type of bus.

Each bike tray will handle two bikes.   For more pictures and video of the system, click here.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait for the buses to be built, so it will likely be a year before we see these buses on the road.

Here is CCTA’s press release from November 17, 2011:

TRANSPORTATION GRANT AWARDED TO CCTA
Burlington, VT – The Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant of $3,360,000 through the FY2011 Federal Transit Administration Bus and Bus Facilities Livability Initiative. CCTA’s funding application was selected on a competitive basis from proposals submitted by public transportation agencies throughout the country. The grant money will allow CCTA to purchase six 45-foot coach buses to be used on the LINK Express commuter routes, along with the implementation of other system-wide capital improvements such as passenger shelters with solar lights and bike parking…  More info at www.cctaride.org

22302 Comments »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/11/upcoming-link-buses-to-double-bike-capacity/Future+LINK+Buses+to+Double+Bike+Capacity%212011-11-22+01%3A40%3A51Chapin

Ever ridden your bike somewhere and realized that you needed to make an adjustment…but didn’t have the tools?  Well, Healthy Living is coming to the rescue.  How you ask?

They are helping to install the cool new Dero ‘Fix-It’ stations around Chittenden County’s bike routes.  These stations have a place to hang your bike while you use the free but tethered tools and pump.  It makes little adjustments easy!

Healthy Living purchased and installed one outside their store this fall.  They also purchased another one for installation at Local Motion’s Trailside Center.  It will be installed next spring.  Thank you!

Eli and the crew at Healthy Living expect to fund a couple new Fix-It stations each year along the region’s bike routes.  Want a Fix-It station near you?  Email Charlene with suggested locations.

Local Motion applauds Healthy Living’s vision of putting these valuable stations across our region’s bike routes!

21891 Comment »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/11/healthy-living-leads-the-way-with-fix-it-stations/Healthy+Living+Leads+the+Way+with+%22Fix-It+Stations%222011-11-11+03%3A27%3A40Chapin

Thanks to the efforts of advocates and the commitment of state officials, the Crown Point bridge opened today with shoulders for cyclists and a sidewalk for pedestrians!

The picture on the right is the previous bridge where the shoulders disappeared once you got on the bridge.   There were no sidewalks.

Contrast that with today, with over 100 jubilant pedestrians and cyclists being the first people allowed across the bridge after the press conference this afternoon.  (Photos below by Laura Asermily)

Special thanks go to the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition who spearheaded much of the advocacy, Lou Bresee from Lake Champlain Bikeways (pictured below on left), and the respective state agencies of transportation (VTrans and NYDOT).

This crossing is a key link in the 1,100+ mile Lake Champlain Bikeways network of mostly on-road routes.

Check out the nice pictures Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations tours took from on the bridge (click here).   Well done everyone!

2165No Comments »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/11/crown-point-bridge-opens-with-sidewalks-shoulders/Crown+Point+Bridge+Opens+with+Sidewalks+%26+Shoulders%212011-11-08+02%3A56%3A14Chapin

In five short months, Vermont’s biggest city will elect its Mayor for a 3-year term.

To make sure sustainable transportation is on the agenda, Local Motion members have asked us to put together a candidate survey.

Give us your input! What transportation-oriented question do you want the candidates to answer? Click the comment button below to submit your question. The deadline for questions has been extended to November 17th.

A volunteer committee of Will Flender, Jon Griesser and one pending member will select and wordsmith the final questions by the end of November. The surveys will be distributed to candidates in December. We will distribute the candidates’ answers in January.

CLICK COMMENT BUTTON BELOW TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION.

21304 Comments »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/11/submit-questions-for-our-mayoral-candidate-questionaire/Submit+Questions+For+Our+Mayoral+Candidate+Questionnaire2011-11-03+20%3A02%3A49Chapin

By Michael Jager, JDK

The Modern Mobility Movement rolls ever forward, but JDK and Maglianero marked an important moment along the way at the 2011 South End Art Hop, raising $1,295.97 to help repair the Island Line Trail.

In the commuter/bike-centric Maglianero café and community-gathering space, JDK hosted an exhibition of dramatic cycling photographs by Dean Blotto Gray, as well as a group of bicycling designs from GT. One Leader bike was raffled off, with all proceeds going to help repair the Island Line Trail, a 12-mile bike path that runs from Burlington to the Lake Champlain Islands.

Chapin Spencer, executive director of Local Motion, accepted the donations on behalf of Friends of the Island Line Trail. The winner of the raffle was Jake O’Neil, a Burlington resident who works for Burton Snowboards.

Many thanks to Blotto, the Bike Polo crew, Burlington Bike Cluster, GT, Leader, Local Motion, Liam Griffin, Maglianero, and SEABA for supporting this successful event.

BIKE DETAILS

Bike: Leader TRK Build

Bars: Leader Trick Star

Grips: None (rider’s choice)

Stem: Leader Plissken

Headset: Tange Techno Glide

Saddle: Leader Cosmic

Cranksets: Leader x Andel

Chain: SRAM

Wheelset: Leader Complete Wheels

Seatpost: Leader

Pedals: None (rider’s choice)

2145No Comments »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/11/jdk-and-maglianero-raise-money-for-bike-path-repair/JDK+and+Maglianero+Raise+Money+for+Bike+Path+Repair2011-11-02+20%3A21%3A46Chapin

Thanks to everyone who helped make the second annual Halloween Ride a success!

Co-hosts: BTV Bike Cluster and Local Motion

Premier Sponsor: Old Spokes Home

Other Sponsors: Northfield Savings Bank, Maglianero and Ben & Jerry’s Foundation

Additional thanks: Church Street Marketplace , Burlington Police Department and Noah Pollock for making this video

Lastly, a big thanks to the Burlington Bicycle Coalition who launched this ride as an all-volunteer effort in 2010 — especially Jamie, Ross and Christine!

21201 Comment »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/11/fun-1-minute-halloween-ride-video/Fun+1-Minute+Halloween+Ride+Video%212011-11-01+12%3A43%3A48Chapin

South Burlington really boomed during the car-centric middle of the last century.  This meant that most of the development was friendly to cars, but not to walkers and bikers.

To South Burlington’s credit, they’ve succeeded in developing Vermont’s most comprehensive network of paths over the last 20 years — 12+ miles connecting many neighborhoods.  Now, the challenge is to create a city center and more pedestrian-friendly streets.

How the heck could the City make Williston Road an enjoyable place to walk and bike for example?  Not an easy proposition…but city officials and residents are trying.  See the update from Planning Director Paul Conner below.

Local Motion encourages our friends in South Burlington to get involved in this planning process.

Continue Reading »

21141 Comment »http://www.localmotion.org/blog/2011/10/fixing-south-burlington/Fixing+South+Burlington2011-10-28+02%3A32%3A23Chapin