On the longest day of the year, advocates, planners, researchers, and community members all gathered together for the Vermont Walk/Bike Summit. It was a hot day in St. Johnsbury, but we were all buzzing with excitement to learn, share, and connect.

As of July 1, drivers are required to provide 4' of clearance when passing a vulnerable user.

A bicycle is an inexpensive way to get around.  Every time you chose to ride instead of driving, you save money and you are helping the environment.  

You’ve seen them everywhere: parked outside the farmer’s market, loaded with kids in the school pickup line, passing you up a hill… Electric bikes are out there, being adopted by riders of all types. 

One of the great pleasures of living in Vermont is taking long bike rides.  I ride all winter and in the spring I gradually lengthen my rides. This past winter I had some issues with my right knee, and so I have been very cautious about building up to longer mileage.  It makes sense for everyone to take a gradual approach to building up strength and stamina.  Pushing too hard can result in an injury. 

There are a lot of things to get excited about in May: flowers opening, trees leafing, sun shining… oh yeah, and bike riding! May is National Bike Month, a time to celebrate our bikes and all they do for us. Whether you are a seasoned commuter, a racer, a casual path spinner, or are picking up a bike for the first time, this is a time to spread the joy of cycling.

This month, we ask you to challenge yourself by riding more. That could mean using your bike to get to work or run an errand, changing up your normal ride type (dust off that old MTB or road bike!), or inviting a group of friends to go on a ride together.

Find inspiration below, as well as a calendar chock full of exciting events.

Your riding safety depends on staying vigilant and not putting yourself in dangerous situations. It is also important that you are visible, both during the day and at night. Vehicle drivers do not want to hit you. Our job as riders is to help them avoid hitting us.

In April of 2021 the Winooski Parks and Recreation Department sent out a call for volunteers to lead a weekly bike ride.  I was one of three people to volunteer.   Astin and Kristine also responded.  Astin is a social worker and Kristine teaches high school math.  We were given the title of ‘Bike Ambassadors.’ We decided to meet every Wednesday at 5:30 in  front of Monkey House which is on the Winooski traffic circle.  That first year we averaged about 10 riders per week.  Kristine gradually expanded out online presence and started posting our bike routes.  Astin was very good at welcoming new riders into the fold.  

9-22-23 Ride

On Thursday September 21st I used Ride with GPS to plan a route in Franklin County. I was going to take my road bike but in the event I chose to use my gravel bike instead. My route included a stretch of the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail. I did more or less the same ride last year in late September and I remembered that the rail trail was not well maintained. My road bike has narrow tires and is not happy on rough ground.  

September 8th ride

On Friday mornings I usually teach a swim lesson at 8:30. Late in the evening of  September 8th I got an email canceling the Friday lesson.  This meant that I had the day off.  I decided to take the commuter bus to Saint Albans and start a ride from there.  Usually I  get all my gear ready the night before but it was so late in the day when I got the cancelation that I decided to wait until the morning to get ready.  I got up at five, had a bagel with a mixture of peanut butter, cream cheese, and strawberry jam, and then got ready to go.  The commuter bus to Saint Albans stops in Winooski at 5:45 AM and 6:45 AM. I decided to take the 6:45 bus.  I took a map along because there were a few route details that I was not sure of.