Email Newsletter February 11, 2004
Issue 49

UPCOMING MEETINGS:
* Next MB/PV meeting Wed. 2/11: PV BikeWeek planning

NEWS:
* MassBike Executive Director Tim Baldwin steps down
* Williamsburg RT case settled; fate uncertain
* Della Penna wins award for service to Northampton
* Kevin J. Pecor car/bike fatality case moves forward
* Northampton Bikeway plowed for first time!
* New Manhan Rail Trail website

OTHER EVENTS:
* Critical Mass Fri 2/27
* MB/PV to sponsor "We Are Traffic" at N'ton Env. Film Fest 2/27
* Fábos Landscape Planning and Greenway Symposium Sat. 4/17
* PV Bike Week 2004 May 16-22

====================================================================

Dear Pioneer Valley Bicyclist,

Studs? Ice? Gore-Tex? Must be winter biking in New England! Just remember: bad weather is only a state of mind. For inspiration, visit

http://www.bikesatwork.com/bicycle-delivery-service/

Yes, you can bicycle all winter and stay warm, dry, comfortable, and safe.

UPCOMING MEETINGS: ==================

* Next MB/PV meeting Wed. 02/11: PV BikeWeek planning ------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed. February 11 (next meetings: Mar. 10, Apr. 14...) Time: 7:00-8:30 pm Place: Room 304, Seelye Hall, Smith College, Northampton

Agenda: -- Introductions/visions -- Planning for Pioneer Valley Bike Week 2004

This is a VERY IMPORTANT planning meeting for MassBike/Pioneer Valley's biggest, most visible event of the year. If you've ever thought of getting involved but didn't know how, here's your chance. We need your help! No amount of volunteer time too small to be helpful. All towns in the PV will be represented.

NEWS: ====

* MassBike Executive Director Tim Baldwin steps down ----------------------------------------------------

From Tim Baldwin, our fearless leader for the last four years:

Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 17:11:03 -0500 (EST)
From: MassBike Exec Dir
To: Mass Bike
Subject: MassBike looking for new Executive Director

MassBikers:

It is with sorrow and a positive eye to future that I announce my resignation from MassBike.

The past four years have been the most rewarding, interesting, and challenging of my professional life. Because it has been such a unique honor to be a bicycle advocate, and because the MassBike membership and the bicycle community collectively have been so supportive, I will address my reasons for leaving and MassBike¹s future.

I have two major reasons for leaving MassBike. The first reason relates to MassBike¹s current organizational situation. When I first arrived at MassBike, the organization was in trouble. We had no money (I didn¹t get paid for two months because of cash flow), our reputation was not stellar, and our membership had decreased 50% over the past few years. I set some specific goals for myself to bring MassBike back to organizational and financial health, and at this point I believe I have finally reached those goals. MassBike is widely respected by decision makers and in a good place to advocate and educate, we have a strong and vibrant membership, and we are financially sound. It is my belief that it will take a different sort of person leading and managing the organization to take MassBike to the next level of effectiveness.

My second reason for leaving is personal. I am 28 years old and have a distinct interest in going back to law school and becoming a public interest lawyer. Too many times I have seen policies and laws flouted, and the application of the law can be a powerful and efficient tool in creating more transportation choices and a more just society. I would also like to have a family sometime soon, and in that sense I can¹t put off graduate school much longer.

I am confident that MassBike¹s future will be a bright one. The new Executive Director will have the resources and opportunity to further the cause of bicycling to a greater extent than at any point in the past.

Starting today, MassBike is searching for a new Executive Director. You can view the job announcement at www.massbike.org. If you or anyone you know would make a fine candidate, please apply or email us at bikeinfo@massbike.org. MassBike is very important to me, and I will help train the new Executive Director and introduce him or her to decision makers and the bicycle community.

MassBike is helping make Massachusetts a better and safer place to bicycle. I have truly enjoyed my role, in all of its glory and frustrations, and I will advocate for bicycling for the rest of my life and will continue to support MassBike.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the bicycle community.

Ride on,

Tim Baldwin Executive Director

<-------------------> The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) is dedicated to making Massachusetts a better place to bicycle!

Check out www.massbike.org, where you can learn more about MassBike and join or renew your membership.

617-542-2453 (ph) 617-542-6755 (fax) 20 Park Plaza, Suite 1028, Boston, MA 02116"

Thank you, Tim, and farewell!

* Williamsburg RT case settled; fate uncertain ----------------------------------------------

From the Daily Hampshire Gazetter article of Feb. 03, 2004 (only first two sentences reproduced here):

"Williamsburg -- Parties to a long-standing lawsuit that arose from efforts to create a bike path have settled out of court, according to lawyers for both sides who declined to disclose the settlement.

It is not clear how the settlement will affect plans for a Williamsburg bike path, which was first proposed in 1987."

Stay tuned for details of the settlement and its ramifications.

* Della Penna wins award for service to Northampton ---------------------------------------------------

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy New England Rep. and Northampton resident Craig Della Penna received a much-deserved award Feb. 5 from the City of Northampton in recognition for his long-standing efforts in support of Rail-Trails. Among many other notable accomplishments, Craig has led the Northampton Pedestrian and Bicycle Alliance fundraising campaigns that have provided more than $15,000 to the City for acquisition, planning, and development of the area's growing Rail-Trail network. Congratulations, Craig!

* Kevin J. Pecor car/bike fatality case moves forward -----------------------------------------------------

Sheila Pecor, mother of bike/car crash victim Kevin J. Pecor, writes:

"Just to update you as to where things are. I met with Senator Melconian today who, at first glance, cannot believe that Mr. Martinez was not charged. The she agreed to call DA Bennett on my behalf on Monday, at push for two laws...one mandating an automatic toxicity test when there is a fatality and two, having driving on a suspended license constitute negligence. She is going to have her attorney look at the documentation and get back with me on Tuesday.

On Monday at 4:00, I am meeting with DA Bennett and giving him the petitions that I have collected. I have also listened to the phone/radio correspondence the night Kevin was killed. The police did NOT run Martinez license as I suspected, and therefore, falsified documentation. To make matters worse, the Asst D/A who was assigned to go to the accident scene was not available and the one handling the case actually made a statement on tape that Kevin should not have been on the road on his bike. These are issues I plan on discussing with the DA on Monday. The tapes were fairly graphic and there is enough detail to show there was negligence....so, we will see.

As I already told you, the next issue of the Ride magazine is going to include Kevins "accident". I will keep you informed and thank you all for your continued support and encouragement to continue to pursue the right thing. Sheila Pecor"

* Northampton Bikeway plowed for first time! --------------------------------------------

After many years of impassable snow on the Northampton Bikeway between State St. and Look Park, the Department of Public Works -- at the request of the School Committee (MassBike/Pioneer Valley has also suggested it from time to time) -- is now plowing the bikeway after every storm. Hundreds of residents now use the path on a daily basis to bike or walk for transportation or recreation, and the route has served as a daily thoroughfare for kids walking to and from JFK and Jackson Street Schools. DPW head George Andrikidis says that the plowing will NOT continue after the planned Bridge Rd. sidewalk is completed. Call Mayor Clare Higgins (587-1249), thank her for getting the path plowed, and tell her how important year-round access to the bike path is and how plowing it should be prioritized at least equally with plowing of roadways.

To see status reports of Rail-Trail plowing around the state -- including the Northampton Bikeway and a stretch of the Norwottuck Rail-Trail -- after each snowstorm, visit the MassBike Plowing Report webpage:

http://www.massbike.org/bikeways/snow

* New Manhan Rail Trail website -------------------------------

From Stephen Donnelly:

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:21:59 -0500 (EST)
From: Stephen Donnelly
To: Bicycle Bicycle
Subject: New Manhan Rail Trail web site

Here's the link to the new Manhan Rail Trail web site: http://manhanrailtrail.tripod.com/ Please send any questions or suggestions to me. Thanks, Steve

OTHER EVENTS: ============

* Critical Mass Fri 2/27 ------------------------

Anybody riding CM these days?

* MB/PV to sponsor "We Are Traffic" at N'ton Env. Film Fest 2/27 ----------------------------------------------------------------

From February 27-29, The Frugal Environmentalist and the Environmental Science & Policy Program at Smith College will present the 1st Annual Northampton Environmental Film Festival (http://www.frugalgreen.com/neff.html) at Smith College. One of the films being screened is the documentary (We're not blocking traffic,) We are traffic! by Amherst director Ted White, who will be present at the screening on Feb. 27 at 9 p.m.

MassBike/Pioneer Valley is the official sponsor of the film's screening. It's a GREAT film -- don't miss it or the chance to talk with Ted!

* PV Bike Week 2004 May 16-22 -----------------------------

Come to the Feb. 11 meeting of MB/PV (see above) to help plan this fabulous week of heady bicycle celebration. If you can't make the meeting but want to volunteer for some job or another, contact Sabine Dietrich at PVPC (S_dietrich$NO$SPAM$@PVPC.ORG).

(remove $NO$SPAM$ from address)

* Fábos Landscape Planning and Greenway Symposium Sat. 4/17 -----------------------------------------------------------

From the Greenway list:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 12:18:23 -0500
Subject: Fábos Landscape Planning and Greenway Symposium WEBSITE

Dear New England Greenway Advocate:

Save the date for the inaugural Fábos Landscape Planning and Greenway Symposium to be held Saturday, April 17, 2004. You can access the most up-to-date Symposium information on our website at

http://www.umass.edu/greenway/fabos

If you have any further questions, please contact us via telephone at (413) 545-6619 or via email at greenway@larp.umass.edu.

Sincerely, Robert L. Ryan, Ph.D Mark S. Lindhult, FASLA Co-Directors, New England Greenway Consortium