This course gives cyclists the confidence they need to ride safely and legally in traffic or on the trail. Our League-certified instructors cover bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on-bike skills, and crash avoidance techniques. The course includes a detailed student manual. Recommended for adults and teens (15 and older).

Our Spring 2010 course will take place on Apr 27, May 4, May 11, and May 15 in South Burlington. All four sessions are required. Click here for more information and instructions to register

Got Kids? We also offer youth safety trainings. Check out our End-of-August One-Day Camps!

Local Motion is collaborating with the Center for Health and Learning to offer an all-day workshop for educators on how to organize and lead bike safety fairs and on-bike skills classes for kids in grades 3 through 8.

The training will take place on April 6 in Burlington's Memorial Auditorium Annex from 8:30 to 3:00. There is a $35 registration fee, which will be paid by Local Motion for educators in our partner SRTS schools. Continuing education credits are available. For more information or to register, visit www.healthandlearning.org.

• Would you like to walk more in your neighborhood, if it weren't for how fast people drive?
• Is your daily commute getting more stressful as traffic worsens and tempers fray?
• Are you nervous about letting your child walk or bike to school, given the traffic along the way?
• Do you enjoy riding your bike, but are concerned about a lack of respect between cyclists and motorists?

We all deserve safe streets. Together, we can make them happen. Come be a part of the solution!

CHITTENDEN COUNTY SAFE STREETS SUMMIT
Saturday, April 10
10:00am to 12:00pm
Champlain Valley Expo Center, Essex Junction
Free and open to the public -- CHILDCARE PROVIDED

What better way to get through a Vermont Winter than to spend time with like minded people and do a little arm chair traveling! Join us for our second presentation -- Bike Touring in the Baltics.

• Wednesday, March 31: Presented by Kevin Kelley & Karen Amirault
• Lite dinner fare, cash bar and good company

No need for reservations, just come along and bring a friend if you like. Events held at The Spot, 210 Shelburne Road, Burlington. Please visit our website for further details. If you have questions, contact Adele at 861-2700 ext 100 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

By Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur, AARP Associate State Director

The Transportation Committee of the Vermont House of Representatives has selected a "Complete Streets" bill (H.741) as one of its top three priorities for the current legislative session. This important bill is sponsored by AARP-VT and supported by Local Motion and many other organizations.

This bill would require both the state and local municipalities to serve the needs of all users whenever they build or reconstruct a road. This means that sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and other facilities for pedestrians and cyclists would be routinely included in road projects! Click below to find out what you can do to support this important legislation.

Local Motion Note: Thank you to everyone who spoke up on this project and to NY Bicycling Coalition, VT Bike/Pedestrian Coalition and Lake Champlain Bikeways.

By Ivan Vamos, Director, NY Bicycling Coalition

The Lake Champlain Bridge Study Advisory Committee met on 2 / 9 / 10 in Addison Vermont, including New York Bicycling Coalition's representative in attendance. Several very important items that are good news for bicyclists and pedestrians were confirmed at the meeting, however a few of our suggestions were not successful.

A recent report has confirmed our hunch – that the Burlington Bike Path & Colchester Causeway attract lots of visitors and money to the region.

Using CCMPO automated trail counts, a 2008 Local Motion survey of path users, and VT tourism data, a just-released UVM Transportation Research Center report found:

• At some locations, up to 50% of path users are visitors from outside Chittenden County
• The path welcomes over 100,000 users between May and September (800 people/day on average)
• Path visitors cumulatively spend $4.5 million annually during their days on the trail (lodging, food, rentals, etc.)
• Each day the Causeway Bike Ferry operates, non-local ferry passengers spend $13,700 in our region.
• During weekdays, about 22% of path users are using the path to get to work, school, stores, etc.

The 6th annual National Life Group VerMontreal Bike Tour is 3 months away and we are almost at capacity. The 3-day trip has a waitlist and only a few spaces are left on the 4-day tour. This fun pedaling adventure to Montreal features fine hotel stays, great scenery and finishes at Montreal's famed Tour de l'Ile. Join us this June 3-6, 2010!

Spread the word! For information contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 861-2700 ext 100. To register, visit www.localmotion.org/vermontreal

Are you interested in meeting bike/walk advocates from afar?

Local Motion is co-hosting a "Winning Campaigns" training for bike/walk advocates on July 9-11. We're looking for homestays. Do you have an extra room in your home? Are you interested in meeting awesome bike/pedestrian advocates? You need only provide an inviting home and friendly personality. All meals are provided in the workshop.  The training is put on by the Alliance for Walking & Biking.

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 861-2700x100 if interested. Thanks!

In 8 short years, Switchback Brewery has become a favorite of area beer afficianados. Its beers are a staple at many Vermont restaurants. How did Burlington's popular keg-only operation get its name? Owner and brewer Bill Cherry is an avid cyclist.  In the picture, Bill (on right) is giving a brewery tour to Earl's Cyclery owner Roger Frey. Bill settled on the name "Switchback" on one of his annual pilgrammages up Appalachian Gap...by bike.

Here's a compilation of recent news around the region about walking, biking and active lifestyles:

Burlington: Residents Struggle to Get a Sidewalk to School

Charlotte: Town establishes Trail Fund, but votes down funding

Colchester: Ballot item to fund sidewalks is narrowly defeated

Essex Junction: 100 attendees work to revitalize village, make it more walkable

Hinesburg: Votes "Yes" to Join CCTA, Town delays funding for trail, sidewalk projects

Hinesburg: 7th grader Cooper Willsey takes 3rd place in nation cyclocross race

Rutland: Pedestrian struck and killed in Rutland

South Hero: Voters Help Bike Ferry with South Street Vote

Statehouse: Lawmakers hear both sides of cell phone ban