Merrimack Valley TMA

Issue: #6 

July 2013
Greetings!    

Ahh! Summer in New England. I just love it; don't you?

Things normally slow down a bit during the summer months in these parts, but not at the Merrimack Valley TMA! We've planned some fantastic midday bike rides this summer, and there are plenty of issues and events to update you about.

Take a moment to check out some news and photos from the Bike to Work BBQ that so many of you attended in June to celebrate your mode-shifting achievements. And if you're looking for a new way to get to work while leaving the car in the garage, reconsider a ride on the bus!

While you're enjoying the warmer weather, take a moment to raise a glass of lemonade to the voters of Andover for their decision to approve the ID2 re-zoning proposal in the River and Dascomb road areas at this year's Andover Town Meeting. You may notice there is already excavation work being done to build some of those amenities that are so needed in the area. 

In News from the Merrimack Valley TMA, you will find information about TMA programs, events and services, as well as transportation infrastructure improvements that will affect your commute. We look forward to assisting you with questions, comments or concerns related to your commute. We're here to help.

Cheers!
Andrea Leary, Executive Director
Merimack Valley TMA

News
Lynn Wang of Philips receives her raffle prize, a gift certificate for the Merrimack Valley YMCA, from MVTMA Executive Director Andrea Leary.
 Philips leads the pack in Bike to Work miles 
 
Dhruv Mahajan of Philips holds the bike computer he won in the Bike to Work BBQ celebration.

Merrimack Valley TMA members rode 1,970 miles to and from work during the 2013 MassCommute Bicycle Challenge and the MVTMA Bike to Work Week, May 11-19.

 

By commuting by bicycle rather than car, they prevented roughly 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere. It would take seven new trees to be planted to offset that much CO2.

 

Philips employees rode more than half those miles, pedaling their way to second place statewide in their category (business or organization with 1,500 to 2,999 members), with 1,055 miles.

 

Other participating members included Emmaus with 219 miles; Hewlett Packard, 336; MKS Instruments, 166; Putnam Investments, 59; and Vicor, 135.

 

Roughly 50 riders attended the TMA's annual Bike to Work Celebration barbecue on June 6 at Minuteman Park, enjoying a meal of grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, sausage and chicken as well as vendors' displays and raffles with prizes donated by the Pawtucket Red Sox, Lowell Spinners, Buchika's Bike Shop, Merrimack Valley YMCA, Cedardale Fitness Center, Academy Lanes Bowling and Zorvino Vineyards. For a complete list of winners, their workplaces and their prizes, click HERE.

 

Merrimack Valley TMA Executive Director Andrea Leary congratulated the riders for their contribution. "This event could not happen without you. I hope you know how very much you are appreciated," she said. 

Commuting to Andover? Take the bus!

  

The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority runs two routes from Lawrence to the River Road area of Andover.

 

Route 37 runs Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. between the Buckley Transportation Center in downtown Lawrence and the Marriott Courtyard Hotel (off River Road just before the I-93/River Road interchange). 

Route 76 runs Monday through Friday from 5 to 8:30 a.m. and 3 to 6:30 p.m., between the Buckley Transportation center in downtown Lawrence and Minuteman Road and Shattuck Road.

 

Riding the bus is easy and economical. A bus ride cost $1 with an MVRTA Tap & Ride Card or $1.25 cash fare per ride. The fare is reduced 50 percent for those who are disabled, seniors and students.

 

If you're starting your commute from North Andover, Methuen, Haverhill, Lowell, Andover or within Lawrence - take the MVRTA bus to the Buckley Transportation center, connect to Route 37 or 76 and you'll pay your bus fare once and receive a FREE transfer to continue your commute to your final destination.

 

Click HERE for a list of MVRTA bus routes and schedules.

Events
Event1

Summer weekday rides begin July 17 

   

Every Wednesday afternoon, Merrimack Valley TMA members are invited to participate in a group ride, beginning at the Philips gate at the end of 1776 Drive at Minuteman Park.
 
The leader and riders will gather at noon and set off for the local 1 hour ride. The name of the leader and the route will be available the week before the scheduled ride. Visit the Cycling Corner on the MVTMA website for information, which will be continually updated.
 
The first ride on Wednesday, July 17, will be led by John Silva. 

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2013 Car-Free Week
will be here before you know it 

   

Massachusetts Car-Free Week is Sept. 16 to 22. 
 
Why not start thinking now about how you will get to work, school, shopping and other errands without using your auto.
 
"Walking, bicycling, carpooling, and mass transit are great options," says MVTMA Executive Director Andrea Leary. "Why not get together with classmates or colleagues and organize a friendly competition?" Leary suggests.
 
Follow The Merrimack Valley Transportation Management Association on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and join the Merrimack Valley TMA Group on LinkedIn to stay informed about this year's Car-Free Week. 

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News in this Issue
MVTMA riders keep 3,000 pounds of emissions out of atmosphere
Bus commute is easy, inexpensive
Events in
this Issue
MVTMA
Midweek Rides
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