Berkshire Bike Path Council                                                                                                   

October 2010 Update

In receiving an award for my continuous work on bike path planning, I am asked "what keeps you going."  Three things:

1. a ride on the Ashuwillticook is a rejuvenating experience
2. seeing so many people using the trail, who might not otherwise ride, walk or have access to the beauty of the environment
3. hard working volunteers throughout the county and more and more people sharing the vision of a bike path from Vermont to CT.
 
Keep on peddling - You only fall if you stop.

Marge Cohan

Marge Cohan President, Berkshire Bike Path Council

At the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's 2010 annual meeting, BBPC President Marge Cohan received the Charles Kusik Award for outstanding contributions to regional bike path planning within Berkshire County.  Marge was recognized for her conscientious and persistent work to coordinate the efforts of 11 Berkshire County towns in the preparation of the county wide vision plan.

Marge accepted the award on behalf of all the volunteers who have worked so long and so hard on the bike path and she thanked BRPC for all their support.

Sheffield Appoints a Bike Committee

At their Oct 4 meeting, the Sheffield Selectman voted to join the 5 Town Touring map project and contribute $200 toward this effort.  The  selectman are seeking volunteers to appoint to a task force, which will develop potential road routes in Sheffield for the 5 town project. The group will present their recommendations to Selectman, who will make the final selection.  The task force will also explore their involvement in future bike path planning. 

South County Touring Map

In collaboration with Housatonic Heritage (HH), five South County towns (Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, Great Barrington and Sheffield) are working together to develop a touring map which  will highlight cycling opportunities in the Upper Housatonic Heritage Valley Area by identifying local routes which include historic landmarks, tourist attractions, cultural destinations and river views.  Each town is responsible to develop their particular section and contribute $200.  HH will also be a major financial contributor. We are hoping to enlist the bike shops to help cover the costs.   The goal is to complete the map by the Spring and hold community rides in the 5 towns to encourage more cycling and develop a constituency of bike advocates. 

Bike a Thon in Sheffield

BBPC supported the Berk-shares cycling event and spread the word about the bike path to some new people in Sheffield. Riding around a 7 mile course in Shefffield, cyclists raised $5,000 for Berk-shares. 

BBPC goes International

Charles Tracy, of the National Park Service, returned from a greenway consulting project in rural Belarus and Lithuania where he used images and stories from the Berkshire Bike Path as part of his training presentations. He reported that the Belarusians especially liked the vision maps, our logos and how volunteers do the trail counts.

Charles Tracy, third from left, with Belarus Greenway Project

Jeff Vincent Resigns from BBPC Board

After serving for 10 years as the treasurer of the BBPC Board, Jeff Vincent has resigned.  Jeff sited many things demanding his time .  He will continue to work on bike issues in Lenox and stay informed about our work.  He agreed to provide a smooth transition until a new treasurer can be elected at the Dec 7 meeting.

Our thanks to Jeff for his longstanding commitment to BBPC and the excellent job he did as treasurer.

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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.