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Berkshire Bike Path Council
September 2010 Update
Everyone wants a bike path but who is going to stand up and persevere through a long process, take on the "Not in my backyard" (or front yard) opponents and environmental challenges? WE ARE !!! It is time for us to regroup, refocus and rebuild a bigger than ever and more active constituency of people in favor of a bike/ped path. We need to repackage and market our product to a larger audience.
To this goal we need a greater presence at community events. We need to present to community groups - chambers, rotaries etc. We need more positive press. We need more political activism. We need to provide more education about the positive aspects of a multi-use path. We need to make bike safety everyone's issue.
How can you help? We are establishing a marketing committee and hope you will consider participating. If you belong to a group that would be interested in having a presentation please let me know. If there is a community event that we can have a display at - let's set it up. Call your selectman, city councilor and state representatives and ask them to support the bike path. VOTE for candidates who support the bike path!!
With over 600 people receiving this newsletter, I know there are people who will persevere and who will make a bike path from VT to CT. Email us now and get involved.
Marge CohanMarge Cohan President, Berkshire Bike Path Council
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Calendar-
Mon, Sept. 13 - Berkshire Bike Path Council meeting, 1 Fenn Street, 6 PMThe
meeting will include a presentation by Berkshire Regional Planning
staff on the revising of the Regional Transportation Plan. This is an
opportunity to have input into the prioritizing of funding for future
planning studies and initiatives.
Thu, Sept 16 - Great Barrington Bike Path Committee, Town Hall, 5PM
Tue, Sept 21 and Sat, Sept 25 Trail Count - Ashuwillticook Trail
Sun, Sept 26 - Berkshares Bike-a-thon, Route 7 Grill, 2 PM |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Fund Raising Ride - Sun, Sept 26
BerkShares Inc. announces the BerkShares Bike-a-Thon for the Local Economy.
On Sunday, September 26th, 2010, at 2pm riders from across the region will assemble at the Route 7 Grill to pedal a scenic route covering ten or more miles through the towns of Great Barrington, Sheffield, and Egremont. A kids ride is also available at 3 PM.
BerkShares will give 25% of the pledges each rider collects back to the nonprofit organization that recruited them.
For more information, or to request a registration form and pledge sheet, visit www.berkshares.org , call 413/528-1737 or click here
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Volunteers Needed-
September User's Count on the Ashuwillticook
Trail counters are needed Tuesday, Sept 21, 7-9AM and 4-6 pm and Sat, Sept 25, 8 AM-7 PM. Counting is done in two hour shifts, at 3 locations along the trail: the Berkshire Mall, Farnum's Road in Cheshire, and Russell Field in Adams. To volunteer, please contact Ellen Downes at 413-442-1521 x23 or edownes@berkshireplanning.org In your response, please include the time and location you prefer.
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) and the Berkshire Bike path Council (BBPC) help the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) gather information regarding the popularity of multi-use trails state wide. The data we collect is used to advocate for greater trail development.
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News
DCR Shed
The completion of the shed for accessible cycling equipment next to the DCR headquarters on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail brings us one step closer to expanding opportunities for new cyclists. The equipment has been ordered with the funds raised by the Farnum Crossing events. Special thanks to Becky Barnes for advocating for DCR funding for the shed. This project is an example of interagency cooperation. Thanks also to Dawn Perotti from United Cerebral Palsy and Joe Castelllini from Ad Lib. We are grateful to Council board member, Merle Ferber who inspired this project. More to come as we hope to be in operation by next Spring.
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Pittsfield's August Third Thursday
The Berkshire Bike Path Council supported Pittsfield's
August Third Thursday Greylock Credit Union's Pro-Am bicycle criterium race
event. The criterium consisted of
a 45 lap closed course in downtown Pittsfield. Several Bike Path Council members acted as race marshals
directing spectators to course crossing and controlling the crossings.
A $50 sprint prize (prime) in the name
of the Bike Council was won by Ernest Tautkus, a member of the Team CCNS
sponsored by Charles Coaching Performance Center, Middletown Connecticut. The overall winner of the criterium was
Adam Meyer from Dorchester, Ma. Adam finished the 45 laps in 1 hour and 6 seconds for an average speed
of 27 miles per hour. Cheshire's
Josh Lipka of BCA Tosk 10th place finish was the highest placing
Berkshire County resident.
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Thank you for your continued support!
Please support our efforts to advocate for better bicycling in Berkshire County. Mail your check, made out to Berkshire Bike Path Council, 55 South Mountain Rd, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Per IRS regulations, your donation to the Berkshire Bike Path Council will be treated similarly to a donation made to a 501(c)(3) organization and will be tax deductible. | |
