The Safe Routes to School Program has transitioned to being coordinated by the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s Active Transportation team.

Local Motion and the Winooski Alliance for Active Transportation (WAAT) are excited to provide the Winooski community with insight into 2025 city council candidates' positions on key issues related to transportation. 

Local Motion, the Burlington Walk/Bike Council, and Old Spokes Home are excited to provide the Burlington community with insight into 2025 city council candidates' positions on key issues related to transportation. 

2024 was Local Motion's 25th Anniversary and another fantastic year. Check out our Impact Report for a by-the-numbers summary of all of our services and programs.

Bringing Safe Routes to School Innovations to Vermont

This past October, I attended the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado. The experience was both energizing and inspiring—not just from the innovative practices I saw but also from recognizing how Vermont is unique but still shares so many common challenges and successes with other states.

When I teach commuter bike workshops I say, “The most important thing about riding is that you look good on your bike!” I’m joking, but there is a kernel of truth in the statement.

Walking through a city during the winter comes with its own set of challenges. Burlington is no different. Icy, snowy, and slushy sidewalks along with the cold weather make getting around more complicated than during other seasons. What might be a simple stroll in milder weather can quickly become a slow, cautious walk in winter conditions. Adding the complication of dealing with Burlington’s many inclines only makes this a greater struggle for pedestrians.

Local Motion, Vermont’s statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization, has two new board members: Alice Charkes and Mark Anders.

Let’s talk about getting around in a city like Burlington. Many of us take what can be the easiest and most obvious option by hopping in the car. But have you ever thought about what swapping that car for a bike could mean not just the planet, but potentially your wallet? Biking or walking through the city is a daily reality for many commuters. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average car emits about 400 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. Over the course of a year, that’s roughly 4.6 metric tons of CO2 for a typical vehicle driving 11,500 miles. Now, imagine replacing even a fraction of those miles with biking and the impact that could have. Some may think that an inconsequential amount but as many of us have learned, those small numbers can add up quickly.