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Discover Hartford Tour Returns on September 11, 2010.
After a one year absence, the people have clamored for the return of
the Tour. Bike Walk Connecticut has answered the call with the Third Discover Hartford Bicycling and Walking Tour
! The Tour will be held on Saturday September 11, 2010, beginning and
ending at Bushnell Park. Join thousands
of people in motion, for a 10,25.40 mile bike ride or 4 different
1-hour walking tours. Discover all that is good and positive about
Connecticut's Capital City. Information and registration at http://www.hartfordbiketour.org/
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Bike Walk Connecticut is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is
changing the culture of transportation through advocacy and education
to make bicycling and walking safe, feasible, and attractive for a
healthier, cleaner Connecticut. Join us in making Connecticut a bike and
walk friendly state.
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Bike Walk Connecticut Looking for Full-time Executive Director Jul 14
Bike Walk Connecticut, a 501 (c) (3) organization working toward a bicycle and pedestrian friendly Connecticut, is looking for its first full-time Executive Director to work out of its new office in Hartford, Connecticut. Become part of this growing organization and help it achieve its potential as a strong statewide bike/walk advocacy and education organization. The Executive Director is responsible for managing the overall affairs of Bike Walk Connecticut including the implementation of board-approved projects, programs, policies and procedures in fulfillment of its mission.
see full description here:
July 20th Public Hearing on Closing MDC Lands to Recreational Use Jul 14
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In May,a Superior Court jury awarded $2.9 million to a mountain biker who was injured at the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) Reservoir property in West Hartford. In response to this surprising verdict, the MDC is considering a closure of its lands to all recreational activities. Savethemdctrails.org has taken the position that Connecticut’s Recreational Liability Statute must be fixed in the Legislature to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Although the Statute provides strong protection for private landowners and utilities, the liability protection for municipalities (MDC is a nonprofit municipal corporation) has been eroded through Court decisions over the past 15 years. If you share our concerns on this issue and potential chilling effect that it will have on maintaining recreational access to other town facilities, please consider attending this public hearing before the MDC’s Water Bureau that will be held on July 20th in the Auditorium at Town Hall in West Hartford starting at 5:30 p.m. You can also support our cause through joining the list of Friends [ http://savethemdctrails.org/friends/friends.htm] and/or through signing an online petition on this matter [ http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fixtherecreationliabilitylaw] which can be reached via www.savethemdctrails.org | |
| West Hartford Reservoir |
Bicycle Education Jul 14
Bicycle Education has arrived in Connecticut!
The Capitol Region Council of Governments has received funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to set up a bike education program. We are working on this effort in cooperation with Bike Walk CT. You might be interested in this upcoming class:
Traffic Skills 101 (formerly known as Road 1) is an 8 hour class that covers bike handling skills, crash avoidance techniques, proper lane and intersection positioning in moderate to heavy traffic and CT traffic law as it pertains to bicyclists. The class also covers basics on how to dress for your cycling activity, what equipment you might need, nutrition, and hydration for the longer ride, and bicycle maintenance. This class begins in the classroom, and moves outdoors to a "practice space" and then on to the road for a bike ride.
August 1, 8:30 to 5:15, at CCSU in New Britain
Registration for this class is available at the Bike Walk CT website:
http://www.bikewalkct.org/education/class-schedules/
We Need Office Furniture! Jun 18
Thank you for all the great donations. We are currently setting up the office and hope to be settled in a few week!
Bike Walk CT holds Rally at the State Capitol Bldg Thursday May 20th May 18
Rally at the State Capitol BldgThur.May 20 12: Noon - Rally at the Capitol. Join your legislators, fellowwalkers, and companion cyclists on the North Steps of the Capitol to demonstrate the importance of biking and walking to a healthy,environmentally sound, and fun Connecticut. Flyer
Great success .. more pics here
Bike Walk Connecticut Folks In the News May 11
| Below: Ben Bare, an active Bike Walk Connecticut member and former board
member and Bike Everywhere chair, is one of the cyclists featured in a
May 12 article in USA Today on efforts to count cyclists and pedestrians. Read the article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-05-10-bike-counters_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip |
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Above: Connecticut Makes its Mark in DC - Delegation Prepares for Meetings on Capitol Hill. The latest issue of American Bicyclist includes a picture of Connecticut attendees at the National Bike Summit preparing for meetings with elected officials on Capitol Hill. Pictured, from left to right, are Bike Walk Connecticut members Mike Gallagher, Jim Cassidy, MaryEllen Thibodeau and Frank Lord.> |
Simsbury Designated a Bike-Friendly Community May 08
Congratulations to Simsbury on becoming the first Connecticut town to receive the "Bicycle-Friendly Community" (BFC) designation from the League of American Bicyclists. Simsbury is one of only 140 of the 359 total applicants to the program have passed the rigorous review for the 4-year designation. About the BFC program, the League says in its press release: "The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress and work toward improving their bicycle-friendliness." Read more about the BFC program at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/communities/bfc_about.php
CCBA becomes Bike Walk Connecticut -Goes Statewide Apr 02
On March 23, 2010, President Anne I. Hayes announced to an enthusiastic crowd of over 150 supporters that Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance is changing its name to Bike Walk Connecticut to advocate for all bicyclists and walkers in Connecticut. Anne explained that the decision was made so that CCBA could build upon its successes by taking advantage of the increasing interest around the state in making Connecticut a safe and attractive place to bike and walk. It will seek active involvement of other bicycle and walking groups, build strong relationships with bike shops and other businesses and place a heightened emphasis on walking. Anne and the rest of the Directors look forward to working with individuals and groups across the state to ensure that Complete Streets design is adopted and implemented on the state and local levels to meet the needs and improve the safety of all cyclists and pedestrians. Bike Walk Connecticut will continue to expand its education programs and efforts to increase the number of people biking and walking and sponsor encouragement events like the Discover Hartford Bicycling and Walking Tour.
Mission:
Bike Walk Connecticut is changing the culture of transportation through advocacy and education to make bicycling and walking safe, feasible and attractive for a healthier, cleaner Connecticut.
Please be patient with us as we convert our web presents to our new Organizational Name
5th Annual Dinner a Big Success Apr 02
CCBA celebrated its fifth anniversary at The Pond House in West Hartford with over 150 of its closest friends. In addition to announcing its new name, Bike Walk Connecticut, and statewide reach, we hosted Jeff Miller, President and CEO of the Alliance for Biking and Walking, as the keynote speaker. Jeff challenged us to increase our efforts to get state and local officials to increase the very low percentage of funds spent on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and safety, in part by taking full advantage of federal funds available to Connecticut which, in the past, have gone unspent. Bike Walk Connecticut would like to thank all who attended, especially State Representatives David McCluskey and Beth Bye and those who traveled from around the state, to show their support.
Legislation to Protect "Vulnerable Users" Mar 08
There was a Public Hearing on Wednesdsay March 10 for a bill: H.B. No. 5457 (Raised): An Act Enhancing Penalties for Harm to Vulnerable Users of a Public Way. This is one of CCBA's 2 legislative priorities for 2010. This link shows the current version of the bill: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/TOB/H/2010HB-05457-R00-HB.htm
Written testimony may be submitted to Transportation Committee Clerk C.J. Strand at CJ.Strand@cga.ct.gov
State of Connecticut Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Letter
HR4722 Mar 04
Representative Earl Blumenauer just introduced the Active Community Transportation Act, H.R.4722. This groundbreaking bill creates a competitive grant program with $2 Billion to help communities build bicycling and walking networks. For the first time, communities would be able to compete for multi-year funding to build active transportation systems, just as they do for transit and road infrastructure.
Read more and to find your Representive to write/call look here
2010 CCBA Annual Dinner Feb 28
CCBA's 5th Annual Dinner will be held on Tuesday March 23rd, 6-9:00pm at the Pond House, Elizabeth Park, West Hartford.
We are excited to present as our Keynote speaker, Jeff Miller, President/CEO Alliance for Biking and Walking.
Plan on an action packed evening
All the details here: Annual Dinner.
Public Hearing, March 3rd Raised Bill #5386 Feb 28
Public Hearing, Wednesdsay March 3, 11:00 am, Legislative Office Building, Room 1E
The link below takes you to the current version of the bill: Raised Bill #5386: An Act Concerning the Safety of Pedestrians and Cyclists and the Promotion of Healthy Communities. This is one of CCBA's 2 legislative priorities for 2010.
The statement of purpose reads "To establish a competitive grant program for awards to municipalities for projects that promote healthy communities and improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists."
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/TOB/H/2010HB-05386-R00-HB.htm
Written testimony may be submitted to Transportation Committee Clerk C.J. Strand at CJ.Strand@cga.ct.gov
CCBA Legislative Reception A Success! Feb 25
On Monday, February 22nd, the CCBA hosted its 3rd annual Legislative Reception at the State Capitol and, once again, the event was a success. Approximately 70+ people, including some key representatives, were in attendance to support CCBA and its legislative initiatives for the upcoming year. Attendees mingled with other like-minded bicycling advocates and enjoyed light snacks while listening to some wonderful speakers. Read more.... pics from the reception by John Duval