Email Newsletter May 5, 2002
Issue 41

UPCOMING MEETINGS:
* Next MB/PV meeting Wed. 5/8
* Chicopee River Trail 25% design hearing Wed 5/8

NEWS:
* Amherst: UMass Rail-Trail connector nears completion
* Northampton extension of Norwottuck RT: back on track
* Manhan Rail-Trail moving forward
* Northampton: King St. ordinances approved (mostly)
* Bike trailer sharing in Northampton
* Craig Della Penna: "The Ride" bike advocate of the year!

OTHER EVENTS:
* Pioneer Valley BikeWeek: May 11-19
* Ride for Clean Transportation, Clean Elections Sun 5/19
* Critical Mass 5/31
* Bicycle Driver Training July 14 + 21
* BikeFest Aug 2-4

Dear Pioneer Valley Bicyclist,

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

* Next MB/PV meeting Wed. 5/8

Place: Room 306, Seelye Hall, Smith College, Northampton
Date: Wed. May 8
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm

Agenda:
-- Intros/visions
-- Approval of MassBike/Pioneer Valley Bylaws
-- Bike Week 2002: next week!
-- Rail-Trail updates and strategic planning
-- Reconvene at Fire & Water for Bike Haiku readings

Additional agenda items? Email to pvweb$NO$SPAM$@massbike.org.

As usual, pot-luck refreshments provided and consumed by you and us.
Join us!

* Chicopee River Trail 25% design hearing Wed 5/8
-------------------------------------------------

This important hearing conflicts with the monthly MB/PV meeting; perhaps the southern valley (Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee etc.) residents who usually skip MB/PV can attend this one instead?

From Vic M. (Chicopee) <Vicmorando@aol.com>:

HELP! HELP! HELP!
Please we need your help!

My name is Vic Morando and I have recently become involved in biking and also the two trail projects in Chicopee. One along the Chicopee River and one along the Connecticut River.

We have a 25% design review hearing, for the Chicopee River Trail, this Wednesday night, May 8 at 7pm. The meeting will be held at the Chicopee Parks Dept. at 687 Front Street in Chicopee. It is a small brown building across from Chicopee High School and Szot Park.

We want to have (we need to have) as many supporters at the meeting as possible. This meeting is critical because it will set the tone for how the city and the state will proceed with the CT River trail. An important link in the CT River trail system.

Our 25% design for the Chicopee River took 15 months to get back from Mass Highway. My understanding is this should have been returned in far less time. Our 25% design of the CT trail is set to go out and we hope to get it back in less than 15 months. Your attendance at this meeting will help.

Our situation is at a pivotal point. Due to unrelated political
issues, a few very vocal opponents of the trails and the over all slow process, these trail programs could be stopped. If you can, please attend.

Thank You,
Sincerely,
Vic Morando

NEWS:

* Amherst: UMass Rail-Trail connector nears completion
------------------------------------------------------

After a winter-long hiatus, constuction on the UMass Rail-Trail
Connector is back in full swing. The plaza at the north end of
University Drive and the section of the trail between Route 9 and Amity St. are both buzzing with activity, and the massive granite block sign welcoming visitors to the UMass campus has been set in place. Completion is expected by the end of June. THIS June! Soon cyclists, pedestrians, and skaters will enjoy a mellower alternative to battling for space on University Drive itself as they zip or amble between campus and the Norwottuck Rail Trail. Trail users should note, of course, that as a "side path" (parallelling a roadway), the Connector does pose some hazards to watch out for, especially conflicts with motorists at the occasional intersections and driveways. Keep a sharp eye out and obey all the traffic signs.

* Northampton extension of Norwottuck RT: back on track
-------------------------------------------------------

Last month's small snafu with MassElectric appears to have been resolved, so the project is again crawling forward. At least it's forward! Too bad construction probably won't even BEGIN until after the Coolidge Bridge is rebuilt.

From Wayne Feiden <wfeiden@northamptonplanning.org>:

The Mayor just sent a letter to MassHighway, as a follow up to our earlier public forum, reiterating her support for the project and proposing expanding parking at the DEM parking lot to provide parking mitigation.

Wayne Feiden, AICP
Director of Planning and Development

* Manhan Rail-Trail moving forward
----------------------------------

From the Manhan Rail Trail Newsletter:

After years of design and review, the State is almost ready to put the paving contract for the Manhan Rail Trail out to bid.

MassHighway is expected to advertise the 5-mile long project early this summer. The bidding process usually takes about six weeks, which means paving should begin late summer or early fall.

This phase of the project involves paving the Trail from South St. [Easthampton] to route 5 by the Oxbow.

* Northampton: King St. ordinances approved (mostly)
----------------------------------------------------

In a historic victory for "Smart Growth," the Northampton City Council May 2 approved 8 of 10 proposed zoning ordinances. The new ordinances will result in a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly downtown-like streetscape on King St. by encouraging retailers to build right up to the street and to both sides, reserving parking for the back, and also to build multi-story buildings, with office space or residences above storefronts.

* Bike trailer sharing in Northampton
-------------------------------------

From Alex Jarrett <alex@confluence.org>:

I've just started an informal organization I'm calling the Northampton Equipment Co-op. The first item in the co-op is a Bikes At Work bicycle trailer. Check out the website, consider signing up, and let others know:

http://www.weatherbeard.com/nec

Thanks,
Alex Jarrett

* Craig Della Penna: "The Ride" magazine's bike advocate of the year!
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Congrats, Craig! A well-deserved spot of recognition.

"City Man Honored for Bike Projects"
http://www.gazettenet.com/04262002/news/13895.htm

OTHER EVENTS:

* Pioneer Valley BikeWeek: May 11-19
-------------------------------------

This is the big week! If you choose just one bike advocacy event to help out on this year, make it this one.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT ALL SITES!! Check out the website for events in your town:
http://www.massbike.org/mbpv/bikeweek/

If we can't have your warm body to help us out postering before the big day(s) or serving breakfast to hungry cyclists on the day of, at least LET US HAVE YOUR MONEY! Buy a PV Bike Week T-shirt for just $8 and help support our non-profit organization so that it can survive till next year to encourage even more people to try biking to work. This is our main moneymaker, so we really depend on healthy T-shirt sales. Pick one up at your local bike breakfast, or local bike shops. And ride your bike to get it!

* Ride for Clean Transportation, Clean Elections Sun 5/19
---------------------------------------------------------

From Sue Bartone (Easthampton) <sbartone@massgreens.org>:

The Ride for Clean Transportation, Clean Elections will be held on
Sunday, May 19, starting at 11 am at the Super FoodMart in South Hadley, ride through Hadley and Northampton, and end in Easthampton.

For more information on this ride, and to RSVP, please call Sue Bartone at 413-527-9228.

Show your support for Clean Transportation and Clean Elections by riding with Sue Bartone, a Clean Elections Candidate for State Representative in the Second Hampshire District (Green-Rainbow Party). Sue has been an advocate for clean transportation for many years, through membership in MassBike, as lead organizer of the Pioneer Valley Bike Commute Week (2001), and as a public transportation advocate in the PVTA Northern Tier.

* Critical Mass 5/31
--------------------

Date: Friday, 5/31 (next ride Friday 6/28)
Place: Amherst Common ***AND*** Northampton's Pulaski Park
Time: 5:15 (meet)/5:30 (ride)
Route: You decide!

* Bicycle Driver Training July 14 + 21
--------------------------------------

From Robert Shycon (Northampton) and Diane Jacoby (Shutesbury):

Bicycle Driver Training (also known as Road 1) is the national bicycle training program developed by the League of American Bicyclists. It teaches everything cyclists need to know to get around safely, quickly, and comfortably. MassBike runs Bicycle Driver Training at various locations around the state.

Early announcement - the first session of B.D.T. ever offered in
Northampton. Two Sundays, July 14 and July 21. 10AM - 5PM both days. You attend both sessions for the course.

"I already know how to ride a bike. Why would I need to take a
bicycling class?"

We hear that a lot. But those who complete a Bicycle Driver Training class are amazed at how much there is to learn and how much better a cyclist they become. Here's what one graduate said: "I have been able to put much of what I have learned into use immediately. I am much more confident in traffic and with my and the motorist's responsibilities. I gear and pedal more correctly thereby making my trips easier and more interesting. I would recommend this course without reservation to anyone."

This class combines classroom and video instruction with on-bicycle practice. The course develops skills and builds confidence by starting with parking lot practice, then moving to quiet streets, and finally busier roads. No knowledge beyond balancing and steering a bicycle is required. For ages 16 and up, but students under 18 need parent's permission to enroll.

The class is appropriate for those with anywhere from little to
significant bicycling experience. It covers pedaling style, gear
changing, bike handling skills, fixing flats, principles of traffic
operation, and cyclists' rights and responsibilities under the
law. Students develop skill, knowledge, and confidence through
lecture, demonstration, and practice.

The cost is $70 per person.

Interested? Please send an e-mail to Instructor Diane Jacoby at
bicycleworks@aol.com.

* BikeFest Aug 2-4
------------------

More than 800 cyclists will descend on UMass this August to enjoy over a dozen rides in our famous countryside. Volunteers needed, including ride leaders and rest stop helpers, for this annual event of the League of American Bicyclists. Especially needed: A VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR! Email pvweb$NO$SPAM$@massbike.org to sign up. And check
out the LAB website at www.bikeleague.org

-------------------------------

See you next week at the Bike Commute breakfast!

-- James Lowenthal