Newsletter Archive
Email Newsletter 05/28/99
From james@velo.phast.umass.edu Tue Jun 1 12:56:35 1999
Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 00:47:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: "James D. Lowenthal" <james@velo.phast.umass.edu>
To: Pioneer Valley MassBike
Subject: May update from MassBike/Pioneer Valley
Contents:
1) Critical Mass Friday, May 28: NEW TIME
2) Next meeting: June 9
3) Volunteers needed!
-- Sunday, June 13: Marshals for Regional Champs in
Northampton
-- Tuesday, July 20: Mass Bike Tour 99 lunch in Northampton
4) State Fair (August): Valet bike parking by MassBike?
5) Amherst GYCAB wrap-up
6) Upcoming Rides
7) 10-minute advocate: Norwottuck Rail Trail
Dear Pioneer Valley Cyclists,
1) Critical Mass Ride
---------------------
The next Pioneer Valley Critical Mass ride will take place Friday, 28
May (that's TODAY, for most of you reading this).
At the April Critical Mass ride (attendance: about 35 people), it was
pointed out that the major traffic jams on the Coolidge Bridge occur
closer to 5:00 than to 6:00, when the ride usually arrives at the
Bridge. It was therefore decided, for the purpose of making a
stronger statement, to meet at a
NEW TIME: Meet at Amherst Common at 4:45; ride at 5:00.
Coming from Northampton? Meet at the Academy of Music at 4:00 PM.
Some people pointed out that the CM rides would be more celebratory if
people dressed up and/or decorated their bikes in festive ways --
streamers, costumes, whatever. Also, there was a suggestion to make
more of a party at the end of the ride -- so feel free to bring some
munchies or refreshments to share with the group!
2) Next meeting: June 9
-----------------------
The next meeting of MassBike/Pioneer Valley will take place
Wednesday, June 9, 7:00 PM
Room 304, Seelye Hall, Smith College, Northampton
Several important efforts underway (see below) will be discussed
there, so please try to attend!
Potluck refreshments will be served if brought.
===> NOTE: Future meetings this summer may be held at the Ice Cream
Pedaler, next to the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hadley. Stay tuned for
more info. <===
3) Volunteers needed!
---------------------
Warm bodies are needed to volunteer at two upcoming events:
> Sunday, June 13: North Atlantic Regional Championships in
Northampton.
The Northampton Cycling Club is hosting this major two-day bike racing
event, which is being sponsored and promoted by the Valley Advocate.
===> MARSHALS ARE NEEDED FOR THE CRITERIUM ON SUNDAY. <===
If MassBike/Pioneer Valley can provide 30+ person-hours, we will
receive excellent coverage in the Advocate and at the race, mention in
the race publications, and the opportunity to set up a display table
at the races on Saturday (Goshen) and Sunday (Northampton), and $200
in cold hard cash for us to spend on future advocacy efforts.
A few people have volunteered already, but more are needed. Six
people working five hours each would fill the bill. Email James if
you're willing and able. Any takers?
> Tuesday, July 20: Mass Bike Tour 99 lunch in Northampton
The 2nd annual MassBike Tour, which is a major MassBike effort and one
of its most important advertising vehicles, runs from July 18-24 and
will come through the Pioneer Valley July 19 - 21. This is a
significant opportunity for building state-wide coalitions,
encouraging our towns and cities to participate in our efforts, and
getting our "Bikes Belong" message into the press and the public
consciousness. About 100 riders from around the country are expected
to participate. The current Tour schedule calls for
Mon. July 19: Arrival in Greenfield
Tue. July 20: Ride to Westfield via the Coolidge Bridge;
lunch stop in Northampton;
overnight at Westfield State College
Wed. July 21: Rest day in Westfield;
optional Century Ride;
2nd night at WSC
Thu. July 22: Head back east along the MA/CT border
===> HELP IS NEEDED ORGANIZING LUNCH IN NORTHAMPTON ON TUESDAY <===
It would be great if someone could take charge of this. What's
involved:
-- Pick a nice outdoor site with public restrooms nearby and
indoor space in case of rain (Pulaski Park? could use
Unitarian Society basement in bad weather; City Hall
restrooms are next door)
-- Arrange lunch (MassBike will pay): Good Time Deli? State
St. Deli?
-- Coordinate press contacts (Advocate, Gazette, Union News,
radio, TV)
-- Coordinate City of Northampton contacts (permits,
endorsements)
Please email James if you are able to help out in any way, even if you
can't take charge of the whole thing.
4) Three County Fair
--------------------
The Three County Fair (oldest county fair in the country) draws
thousands of visitors every August, snarling traffic all along Route 9
outside of Northampton. Bike advocacy groups in other areas have
capitalized on similar situations by providing
===> VALET BIKE PARKING <===
MassBike/Pioneer Valley would need to
* contact the fair organizers well ahead of time to advertise
the service and arrange for a convenient location at
the fair
* bring a table, arrange for bike racks, cables, locks, and tickets
* staff the parking on Fair days: accept bikes and donation ($1?),
give ticket, return bikes upon request
This can be an excellent money-maker and also makes a strong point, as
cyclists slip past the jammed motorists. One bike advocacy group that
tried this recently expected 20 cyclists to show up but got 200!
Anyone interested in taking the lead?
5) GYCAB wrap-up
---------------
Amherst Give-Your-Car-A-Break Week was a HUGE success! Congrats to
Van Kaynor, Nathan Salwen, Hwei-Ling Greeney, Rob Kusner, and all the
other people who worked so hard to pull off the event. High points
included
* Saturday's forum on transportation alternatives, with
keynote speech by Jane Holtz Kay: over 100 people
packed the Jones Library conference room.
* Sunday's parade and fair drew almost 200
marchers/cyclists/stilt-walkers, and featured live
music, a bike safety seminar, and the ribbon-cutting
for the new bike lanes on North Pleasant Street.
* Excellent coverage by the Daily Hampshire Gazette, including
a supportive Earth-Day editorial and front-page photos
of the parade.
Looking forward to next year! (And keep in mind that MassBike/Pioneer
Valley is also working with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to
put on a PV-wide Bike Commute Week in May 2000, coinciding with
National Bike Week.)
6) Upcoming Rides
-----------------
Tour de Manhan
===============
4th Annual "Tour-de-Manhan" Bicycle Ride
(All proceeds to benefit the Manhan Rail Trail)
DATE: Sunday, June 6, 1999, starting at Noon (Registration starts at
11 a.m.)
PLACE: Nonotuck Park, Easthampton, MA
Fee: $10.00
($8.00 if pre-registered by June 4th)
$4.00 ages 14 & under*
*Under age 2 - Free
(A $2.00 per vehicle park entrance fee
will also be charged- no charge for entry into the park on foot or bicycle)
BRAND NEW ROUTE FOR '99!!
Tour scenic, rolling countryside in Easthampton & surrounding towns
Two routes to choose from... 18 miles or 8 miles
Registration fee covers route markings & map, refreshments, and a
cycling souvenir!
DIRECTIONS TO NONOTUCK PARK
>From Easthampton center: Turn onto Rte. 141 at intersection with
Rte. 10 (at traffic light). At next traffic light, bear right onto
Williston Avenue. Follow Williston Avenue to the end; the park
entrance will be on the left following a sharp right hand turn.
>From Route 91: Take exit 17B, follow Rte. 141 into Easthampton. At
first traffic light, take left onto Williston Avenue and follow above
instructions.
PRE-REGISTRATION:
$8.00 per adult rider until June 4th
Mail to: Town Clerk, Town Hall, 43 Main St., Easthampton, MA 01027 (make
checks payable to the Town of Easthampton).
For more information please call 529-1460 or 527-3903 or email
SakuraGift@aol.com.
Burghy Bikers Benefit Ride
======
DATE: Sat., June 5 (time ???)
PLACE: Starting point will be behind town offices in Haydenville.
ROUTE: along railbed to Leeds, then streets to Look Park, with picnic.
Charcoal, drinks, sides and snack food provided BYO - grillables. Mountain
bikes are best but if the trail is dry any bike can ride it. If not, road
bikes can ride River Rd to Leeds.
All proceeds will benefit the Burghy Bikers and the Williamsburg Rail
Trail efforts.
Note that some abutters of the proposed Rail Trail in Williamsburg
recently blockaded the existing path -- used by the public for thirty
years -- with logs and "No Trespassing" signs, even though ownership
is currently in litigation.
Contact Kim Boas for more info (kb@mmwec.org).
7) 10-minute advocate: Norwottuck Rail Trail extensions
-------------------------------------------------------
(borrowing a leaf from the book of Greg Root, MassBike/Worcester)
Want to help but don't have enough time? Here's something you can do
in just 10 minutes to help make the Pioneer Valley more bike friendly.
As many of you know, the Norwottuck Rail Trail ends abruptly at Damon
Rd. Cyclists to and from Northampton have no choice but to battle
heavy traffic on Route 9, with no shoulders and four narrow lanes of
motor vehicles for 1/2 mile. This is OK for experienced die-hards,
but is a significant hurdle for many novice and recreational riders
and would-be commuters. Plans for a Rail Trail extension to King
Street are ready to go but funding has been delayed for years, and now
appears to be delayed AGAIN. MassHighway's latest estimated
construction start date: MAYBE by next spring. Completion of the Rail
Trail extension may be one of the most effective means of reducing
traffic congestion on the Coolidge Bridge both during and after its
reconstruction, but the commitment seems always just out of reach....
Meanwhile, there is currently no good connection from the Norwottuck
to UMass, the area's largest employer, either. Plans for a link along
Snell St. and University Drive to campus, the UMass Rail Trail
Connector, were submitted THIS WEEK after years of work. While the
project could go out to bid as soon as this summer, it is vulnerable
to the same delays by MassHighway (which will be overseeing the
construction) as the Northampton extension.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Write a letter to US Rep. John Olver (who has
strongly supported allocation of funds for bike projects in the
Pioneer Valley), state Sen. Stan Rosenberg, Rep. Ellen Story,
Rep. Nancy Flavin, and/or Rep. William Nagle urging them to support an
immediate start to MassHighway's construction of the Northampton Rail
Trail extension and the UMass Rail Trail Connector. A sample letter
is attached below; copy, edit as you see fit, and send it off by email
or USPS. Please cc James Lowenthal so we can track our efforts.
Rep. John W. Olver
1027 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
and/or
Sen. Stanley C. Rosenberg
Statehouse, Room 212
Boston, MA 02133
Sen.StanRosenberg@senate.state.ma.us
and/or
Rep. Ellen Story
Statehouse, Room 167
Boston, MA 02133
Rep.EllenStory@house.state.ma.us
and/or
Rep. William P. Nagle Jr.
Statehouse, Room 343
Boston, MA 02133
Rep.WilliamNagle@house.state.ma.us
and/or
Rep. Nancy Flavin
Statehouse, Room 254
Boston, MA 02133
Rep.NancyFlavin@house.state.ma.us
Dear Mr. Olver (Mr. Rosenberg, Ms. Story,...):
First let me thank you for your continuing support of better
accommodation for bicycle and pedestrian transportation in the Pioneer
Valley. While the Valley's population is stable, the number of miles
driven by motorists per year has climbed steadily for more than 30
years, bringing with it severe traffic congestion, sprawling
development, and some of the most polluted air in the nation. With
your help, safe, reliable, attractive, and responsible alternatives to
automobile travel are being planned and implemented around the region.
Two projects in particular could really use your support right now.
As you know, the Norwottuck Rail Trail badly needs to be extended both
to downtown Northampton and to the UMass campus. Plans for both
extensions have been completed and submitted, and are now awaiting
only MassHighway's implementation. Completing those two links will
significantly improve the accessibility to work and commerce for
bicycle commuters throughout the Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst
region. The Northampton extension has been delayed for years already,
while the UMass extension ranked highest among the region's many
Transportation Enhancement projects.
The timing is crucial, as the upcoming reconstruction of the Coolidge
Bridge will tie up traffic for up to two years; completing the
Norwottuck Rail Trail will provide an excellent alternative that could
remove hundreds if not thousands of cars per day from Route 9.
I urge you now to contact MassHighway and expedite the Norwottuck Rail
Trail Extension and the UMass Rail Trail Connector. Both deserve
prompt and efficient completion. Both are ready to go and need only
the funding commitment from MassHighway. And both will significantly
improve bicycle transportation in the Pioneer Valley.
Thanks very much for your help.
Sincerely yours,