[BCM] MassBike August Update

Wed Aug 3 13:58:48 EDT 2005

MassBike August Update

Two Legislative Updates: Federal Transportation Bill Passes, and MA Safe
Routes to School Bill Advances—Please Contact Your Legislator

MassBike is pleased to announce that the federal transportation bill (known
as SAFETEA-LU) passed this weekend. MassBike visited our Congressional
delegation in Washington earlier this year to push for passage of the bill.
Funding was strengthened for key programs that support bicycling (such as
Transportation Enhancements and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
funds), and the federal bill also funded Safe Routes to School, a program to
increase biking and walking among children. We believe this bill will have
important benefits for Massachusetts in the years to come.

At the state level, one of MassBike’s top legislative priorities—the
Massachusetts Safe Routes to School bill, H. 2121—was voted on favorably by
the Transportation Committee, and advanced to Ways and Means. We are now
asking all MassBike members to contact their legislators and ask them to
support moving this bill out of Ways and Means and bringing it to a full
floor vote. If your state rep or state senator serves on the Ways and Means
Committee, that is ideal; if they do not, please ask them to speak to their
colleagues who do serve on the committee to help move the bill forward.

Click here to find out who your legislator is and how to contact them

http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

Save Money--Bike Festival Early Registration Ends Soon! Event is Sat., Aug.
27 in Concord

MassBike’s Summer Bike Festival is back and better than ever. Register
online before August 13 to save money and secure your space for this fun day
of cycling in Concord. If you register before August 13, you’ll get a free
t-shirt! Rides include a challenging metric century; our famous ice cream
ride; a trip to a cool lake; and the new pie race, sponsored by NEBC/Cycle
Loft, which features three slices of pie en route and is already generating
buzz among pie race strategists. Sponsored by Seven Cycles, Renaissance
Health, Redbones, and American Express Financial Advisors.

For more information and to register, click here

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1238850

Register for MassBike Bicycling Skills Courses—Newburyport, Waltham, and
(new!) Easthampton

Would you like to learn how to ride more confidently in traffic? MassBike
has scheduled several Bicycling Skills courses this summer, including
classes in Newburyport (August 4 and 6); Waltham (August 11 and 13); and
several in Easthampton beginning August 25. Our courses will build
confidence and teach important safety skills and tips for commuting, charity
rides, and recreational riding. These courses are great for both beginning
and intermediate cyclists.

The regular cost of the course is $50, and there is a special $40 discounted
rate for members of MassBike, Charles River Wheelmen, participants in the
Mass Red Ribbon Ride and the MS rides, and members of MassCommute companies.

Click here for more information and to register

http://www.massbike.org/skills/classes.htm

Special Meeting to Discuss State 20 Year Transportation Plan: Monday, Aug.
15

The state Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) released a 20 year draft
transportation plan in March, and they have recently reached out to MassBike
to host a meeting for the bicycling community to provide comments and
feedback. This is a crucial time for bicycle advocates to help shape the
next generation of transportation projects in the state.

MassBike has scheduled a meeting with EOT to be held on Monday, August 15 at
6:00 p.m. in Concord, and all are invited to attend. Please RSVP to
bikexec at massbike.org so we can get an approximate headcount; we will provide
you with directions.

The 20 year draft plan is available online here:

http://www.eot.state.ma.us/default.asp?pgid=content/longplanIndex&sid=level2

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Three Fun Upcoming Rides

On Wednesday, Aug 10 at 6:00 p.m., MassBike Board Member Doug Mink will lead
a ride as part of the Neponset River Greenway Festival. Explore the new
proposed section of the Neponset River Greenway from Mattapan Square to Paul
’s Bridge in Hyde Park and back. All level cyclists welcome; most of this 7
mile ride will be on roadways. Helmets required. Meet at Mattapan Bridge in
Mattapan Square.

On Saturday, August 13-Sunday, August 14, the Mass Red Ribbon Ride will kick
off. In an unprecedented collaboration, AIDS organizations across
Massachusetts are working together on this joint effort to raise funds and
visibility for HIV/AIDS.   The Mass Red Ribbon Ride is a two day, 175 mile
bike ride that starts in the Berkshires, and ends in Greater Boston.
(Shorter rides are also available.) This ride is a MassBike Partner and will
donate $1/rider to help MassBike’s advocacy efforts. Find out more at
www.massredribbonride.org.

On Saturday, September 24, please consider joining “Bike and Hike the
Berkshires.” This one-day event raises funds for the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, and involves your choice of rides. The Mt. Greylock
Challenge is a century designed by Tyler Hamilton, and ascends and descends
the highest peak in Massachusetts. Other riders can choose the 25 mile
“Apples and Antiques Tour” (replete with sag van to carry your purchases!),
or the 50 mile “Fall Foliage Tour.” Click to learn more here:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/MAM/event/event_detail.asp?e=6673

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Berkshire Update: Speak up for Bicycling Projects

Would you like to help shape planning around bicycle issues in the
Berkshires for the next five years? If so, please come to a meeting on
Wednesday, August 10 to discuss two key documents: the 2006-2010
Transportation Improvement Program and 2006 Unified Planning Work Program.
This is your chance to speak up for bike projects and ensure that bicyclists
’ voices are heard.

The meeting will take place in Room K-111 (aka the small theater) in the
Koussevitzsky Arts Center located on the Pittsfield campus of Berkshire
Community College on Wednesday night Aug. 10 at 7 pm. The meeting should not
run any longer than about 2 hours. There will be a short presentation and an
opportunity for attendants to participate and offer their perspective.

Directions to the college can be found at:

http://www.berkshirecc.edu/welcome/directions.html

Become a Member

If you enjoy MassBike’s email updates, it’s even better as a MassBike
member! You’ll get our info-packed quarterly newsletter, discounts at more
than 50 bike shops and 20 B&Bs across the state, and the knowledge that your
tax-deductible contribution is making Massachusetts a better place to
bicycle.

All you have to do is click here

http://www.active.com/donations/campaign_public.cfm?key=massbike&CFID=749359
3&CFTOKEN=34423737

Calling all Bike-Minded Filmmakers

To be held in conjunction with the City of Boston’s 375th anniversary, the
Boston Bike Film Festival will take place on Oct. 21-22, 2005.  If you’re a
filmmaker with a bike-related project, please submit your work to be
considered! The deadline for submissions is September 24, 2005, and films
will be accepted in three categories – shorts, animation and feature length.
Mail entries to Suite 932, One City Hall Square, Boston, MA  02110. The
audience is expected to include all levels of cyclists and independent film
lovers.  All proceeds will go to several community biking organizations and
advocacy programs. Questions? Contact Cat Bryant at
info at bostonbikefilmfest.org.

Click here for details

http://www.bostonbikefilmfest.org

Save the Date: Communications Workshop for Bicycle Advocates—Sat., Oct. 8

MassBike is hosting a day-long workshop for bicycle advocates, and those who
would like to be! Our free training, which will be held in the Boston area,
will help you work with the media to advance the cause of bicycling. Email
bikexec at massbike.org to kept apprised as details unfold.
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[*BCM*] MassBike August Update

[BCM] MassBike August Update