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News
New Bike Path Treasurer 
At our last BBPC meeting John Galt was elected treasurer. John has been on the BBPC for over 10 years. He is a consistently active member of the Pittsfield subcommittee and represented BBPC in the City Committee. We know we will be in good hands. John replaces Jeff Vincent, who resigned last fall after 10 years as Treasurer.
Think A-Head
In keeping with our goal to support bike safety, two BBPC members, Rick Floyd and Henry Rose, joined Ms Lori Adriance's 7th grade class at Nessacus Regional Middle School to support wearing helmets while biking. Both men were wearing helmets when they had cycling accidents and know their injuries would have been more devastating had they not had helmets on. Rick shared how his brain injury has changed his life. Information on bike safety, a helmet fitting check list and stickers were distributed to students.
Ann Wehry knows helmets should be worn on the top of the head with the front protecting the forehead, as shown
Support Continued Funding for Bike Paths
In 2009, the Surface Transportation Act expired. A new multi-year transportation funding program is being worked on but has not been passed. Because of the current economy and political gridlock, SAFETEA-LU funding has been extended only temporarily through continuing resolutions, and the Recreational Trails Program will not be included in new legislation unless a member of Congress writes it in. Representative James Oberstar, Chair of the 75-member House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Planning, is working on a draft for the new transportation bill and has stated that the new bill "can't be business as usual". Predictably, the national trails community and its supporting organizations would like to see an increase in RTP funding in a new bill, recognizing that this program and trail development in general are essential for the country to move forward in its efforts to promote a healthier, cleaner, and more economically sustainable quality of life. As the process for reauthorization continues, the national Coalition for Recreational Trails is calling on trail supporters to recognize the significance of the RTP program in making a better life for all Americans.
Please write your legislators and tell how important this funding is to our local efforts to build a bike path from Vermont to CT. You can thank Congressman Olver for his continued support.
US Senator Scott Brown 2400 JFK Federal Building Boston, MA 02230 scottbrown.senate.gov
US Senator John Kerry Springfield Federal Building 1550 Main Street Suite 304 Springfield MA 01101 kerry.senate.gov
US Representative John Olver Pittsfield Federal Building 78 Center Street, Pittsfield MA 01201 olver.house.gov
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