Local Motion News: May 2014

MAY 2014  People-powered recreation and transportation for healthy and sustainable Vermont communities.

IN THIS ISSUE.... Bike Walk Month Way to Go for Bagels Bike Commuter Workshops Vermont Bike Challenge Bike & Dine in BTV Bike Ferry Service Begins Learn-to-Ride Class Shelburne BikeFest Cargobikes Statewide Even More Great Events One of the awesome Cycle the City guides, Jessica Rossi, setting out on Sun, April 27. Photo by Doug Goodman

May is definitely get out and ride month!   Check out this issue for one time events and ongoing programs  that will have you walking and riding until the fall.  Burlington's Celebrated Bike Walk Month Begins! Throughout the month of May, Burlington will celebrate it's vibrant bicycle and pedestrian community and lifestyle. Events will include everything from the Mayor's Multi-Modal Tour, to a Family Learn-to-Ride Day, and the Burlington Bike Party!  Check out the full schedule of events and invite family and friends to join you. Keep your eye on our  Facebook page for updates on events all month long!  Thanks to the City of Burlington and participating businesses for making this happen! Way to Go! Week ....Have Your Bagel and Eat it, Too!   Way to Go! Week is May 12th - 16th, have fun, reduce air pollution and win prizes! Businesses compete for who can walk, bike, carpool or take the bus the most to reduce carbon emissions! Sign up for the Way to Go! challenge here! The best part? Bagels on National Bike to Work Day!   On May 16th, cap off the week's challenge at one of five Local Motion bicycle-fueling stations around Burlington. Grab a bite and a bagel while give you a high five for making it real! Ride by from 7:30am - 9am to grab a bagel! Check your route for bagel-fueling locations!  Inspired by Way to Go!? Host a Local Motion Bike Commuter Workshop Did you know that your group or organization can get a free bike commuter workshop through Local Motion?  Our instructors bring years of experience and tons of enthusiasm to each and every workshop.  We also include gifts and prizes! Workshop leader Peter Burns says, "I am on a mission to help as many people as possible discover the many benefits of bike commuting. With a little preparation anyone can use a bike as part of their daily commute." Contact Mary Catherine for more information. Join 50,000 of your closest friends to cycle 30 million miles!  The National Bike Challenge has big goals this year, from May 1st - September 3rd they are challenging 50,000 riders to cycle 30 million miles. For a small state Vermont has a big impact with 1,200 participants last year. So dust of your bike, ride for the first time, or take your riding to the next level. Every kind of riding counts from commuting a couple of times a week, riding a rail trail ride with your kids, picking up the groceries on two wheels, or flying down a single track with friends in hot pursuit!  Find more details on great monthly prizes and register here! Bicycle Benefits Expands to Bike & Dine in BTV! Ever wondered why your friend takes her bike helmet to buy a coffee? That distinctive Bicycle Benefits sticker that already gets you discounts at local shops just got even better! Thanks to a team of students in UVM's Sustainable Transportation class, a new Bike & Dine program starts May 1st. Now you can invite your friend to dinner and use the Bike Benefits sticker to receive a discount at a number of great restaurants throughout Burlington! Buy your $5 Bike Benefits sticker at City Market or at Local Motion's office along the bike path on Steele Street. Check our restaurants here!  Diving for the Ferry! Service Opens May 23rd As soon as the ice was out divers plunged into the icy waters of Lake Champlain, finishing off essential work to anchor our new wave attenuating docks. Thanks to the generosity of more than 500 donors to The Big Fix, and the support of many local, state and federal partners, our goal of operating the bike ferry service for 100 continuous days is in sight!  Stay tuned for updates and photos as the docks, ramps, boats and the final pieces of this complicated construction project come together.  Ferry service is scheduled to open Saturday May 23, operating on weekends and holidays until June 14 when 7-day a week service opens. Everything you need to know about the ferry here! Freedom from Training Wheels at Our Learn-to-Ride Class! When: May 24th from 1:00-3:00pm  Where: Leddy Park, Burlington  We know learning to ride a bike is hard (for your child AND you as a teacher), so we are offering a Learn-to-Ride Class as a part of Bike Walk Month!  We will bring balance bikes for your child to practice...all you need to bring is your little one and his/her bicycle. We'll also have helmet decorating, and brand-new helmets to families who need them.  FREE for Local Motion members, $20 for pre-registered families and $40 for families who sign up on the day of the event. Click here for more info! Shelburne BikeFest is Back and Better than Ever!    When: May 31st, between 10am and 1pm Where: In front of the Shelburne Town Offices New this year is a DIY Speed Swap to trade, sell or purchase a bike! Other activities include free bike tune ups, discounted helmets for sale, helmet fitting and decorating, information on where to ride, riding safety and the rules of the road. The event ends with a Connected Community Creemee Ride! Full schedule of the BikeFest here. Cargobikes Take to the Road Throughout Vermont!   Passion is contagious. And for anyone who met Dave Cohen at last month's Walk Bike Summit, chances are they've been thinking about cargobikes ever since.  Go Vermont is working with Dave to promote cargobikes for families, households, businesses and bike shops.  Dave couldn't be more thrilled to educate others about bike transportation options in Vermont. Keep up the great work! Read the full article on our website.

MORE GREAT WAYS TO GET OUT, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS, AND STRETCH! Bike Swaps Thurs, 5/3 & 5/4 Where: Earl's, Skirack and Alphine Shop Read more Mayors Multi-Modal Tour, Fri 5/9 Where: Begin at City Hall When: 9:00am-noon Read more Kids' Day, Sat 5/10 Where: Battery Park When: 10am-3pm Kids' bike helmets for $5 Read more Bike Path Public Meeting, Tues 5/13 Where: Contois Auditorium in City Hall, When: 5:00pm. Will discuss Perkins Pier to North Beach improvements. Read More Yoga for Cyclists 5 Sundays throughout May and June at Tao Motion Studio on Flynn Avenue.  Read More North Avenue Public Workshop, Tues 5/20 Where: St. Mark's Church (1251 North Avenue), When: 7:00pm. Help create a vision for new bike and pedestrian amenities on North Avenue!  Read more  BWBC Meeting Thurs, 5/22 The Burlington Walk Bike Council is looking for new members! Read More From the LM Crew: Brian, Charlene, Dan, Don, Emily, Jason, Jeff, Katelin, Kevin, Leslye, Marion, Martel, Mary Catherine, Phil, Stu and Thomas.