Email Newsletter July 13, 2005
Issue 51

UPCOMING MEETINGS:
* Next MB/PV meeting Wed. 7/13
* East Longmeadow Railtrail hearing Wed. 7/13
* MassBike board to meet in Greenfield Sun. 7/31: new MB chapter?

NEWS:
* Bike safety educators on a roll!
* Norwottuck Rail-Trail extension: construction to start THIS MONTH!
* Leeds Rail-Trail moves forward
* Northampton bike lanes on King St.
* MassHighway to add "Share The Road" signs to Route 5

OTHER EVENTS:
* Tour of the Hilltowns race Sat 8/20
* Northampton Criterium Sun 8/21
* 2005 New England Velomobile Rally Sat Oct. 8, Hatfield

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

Dear Pioneer Valley Bicyclist,

Whether you're dreaming of following Lance Armstrong's bid for a 7th
straight victory in the Tour de France with a bid of your own, or just
out and about enjoying the Pioneer Valley's fabulous country roads and
historic towns, or commuting or shopping by bike, MassBike/Pioneer
Valley is working to protect your right to the road and to enhance
your safety and access as a bicyclist.

If you're not already a MassBike member, or you need to renew your
membership, please join online at www.massbike.org.

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

* Next MB/PV meeting Wed. 7/4
------------------------------

Date: Wed. July 13 (next meetings: Aug. 10, Sept. 14,...)
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
Place: Seelye Hall 304, Smith College, Northampton

Agenda:
-- Introductions/visions
-- Upcoming meetings
-- Rail Trail updates (E'ton, N'ton, Ware...)
-- PV Joint Transportation Commission
-- Endorse N'ton Community Preservation Act?
-- Bike Education classes: update and plans

Additional agenda items? Email to james@ast.smith.edu

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

* East Longmeadow Railtrail hearing Wed. 7/13
---------------------------------------------

From George Kingston:

The East Longmeadow Railtrail has reached the 75% design stage. A
hearing will be held before the Conservation Commission on Wednesday,
July 13 at 7 pm in the Town Hall Meeting Room to review the design of
the trail as it relates to wetlands issues. This is a public hearing
and everyone is welcome to attend. It will be a good chance to see
the design. If the design is approved, it will then be submitted to
the state for final review.

Please note that this hearing will address wetlands issues ONLY.

* MassBike board to meet in Greenfield Sun 7/31: new MB chapter?
----------------------------------------------------------------

Once a year, the MassBike Board of Directors meets in Western Mass.,
and this year that meeting will take place from 10-12 on Sunday, 31
July, at the People's Pint in Greenfield. One goal of the meeting is
to gauge the level of interest in forming a new chapter of MassBike
for the upper Pioneer Valley.

NEWS:
====

* Bike safety educators on a roll!
----------------------------------

Think riding on the sidewalks is safer than on the road? Wrong!
Think riding against traffic at night without a light is OK? Wrong
again!

One of MassBike's central missions is to educate bicyclists and
drivers alike how to coexist peacefully and safely on the road. The
Pioneer Valley has taken a big step in that direction with the recent
certification of two new League Cycling Instructors: Ruthy Woodring
(Northampton) and Ralph Sturgen (Easthampton). Ruthy and Ralph are
already putting their new skills to use, joining other LCI's and other
non-Leauge-certified but highly experienced cyclists in teaching
several classes around the Valley.

The next classes scheduled are for kids, to be held at Forbes Library
in Northampton. For information, contact the Recreation Department at
587-1040 or send an email message to info@northamptonrecreation.org.

Interested in taking a class or becoming certified to teach one
yourself? Contact Jami Albro-Fisher at <jami@lrnconsulting.com>.

* Norwottuck Rail-Trail extension: construction to start THIS MONTH!
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally! The news we've all been waiting, and waiting, and waiting
for: construction of the Norwottuck Rail-Trail extension from Damon
Rd. to Woodmont Rd. in Northampton is scheduled to begin THIS MONTH.
This culminates more than 10 years of planning, lobbying, cajoling,
and convincing of various public officials by MassBike as well as by
various other public officials. Many thanks to all those whose hard
work will finally be coming to fruition. We can safely predict that
bringing the Norwottuck to Northampton's center will usher in a new
age in bicycling in the Valley.

* Leeds Rail-Trail moves forward
--------------------------------

At its first June meeting, the Northampton City Council unanimously
approved taking by emininent domain the land needed to extend the
city's rail trail from Look Park through Leeds to the Williamsburg
line. Many MassBikers spoke eloquently at the meeting about how the
rail trail will improve the quality of life, enhance safety and health
for kids and adults alike, and support economic prosperity for the
city. Thanks to everyone who called, wrote, emailed, and attended the
meetings, and thanks to Mayor Higgins, City Planner Wayne Feiden, and
the City Council for their support and vision!

* Northampton bike lanes on King St.
------------------------------------

Following development and endorsement of the new Northampton
Transportation Plan, which includes explicit discussion of bike lanes,
routes, and paths, the City has decided to restripe busy King Street,
aka Routes 5 and 10, to include narrower (11 ft. instead of the
current 12+) travel lanes AND 4-foot bike lanes/shoulders. The new
lanes should result in a dramatic improvement for cyclists along this
otherwise harrowing and intimidating stretch of highway.

The City has yet to decide whether to label them as bike lanes or
leave them as shoulders. Stay tuned -- or, better yet, if you're a
N'ton resident, write your city councilor and urge her/him to support
official bike lanes!

* MassHighway to add "Share The Road" signs to Route 5
------------------------------------------------------

In response to a request from MB/PV, MassHighway has agreed to post
"Share The Road" signs along Route 5 between Northampton and
Easthampton. This busy highway has some stretches with high-speed
traffic and narrow shoulders, and drivers and cyclists alike should
benefit from a reminder to respect each other's right to the road.

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

* Tour of the Hilltowns race Sat 8/20
-------------------------------------

For more info: www.northamptoncyclingclub.org

* Northampton Criterium Sun 8/21
--------------------------------

For more info: www.northamptoncyclingclub.org

* 2005 New England Velomobile Rally Sat Oct. 8, Hatfield
---------------------------------------------------------

For more info: www.velomobiles.net.

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

That's it for now -- see you on the road!