Help Promote Montpelier Bicycling THIS Wednesday (June 10)!

In this email:
- Important City Council hearing THIS Wednesday
- World Naked Bike Ride takes off Saturday from Freeride in Montpelier

(please come to both of these actions, but don’t get confused; nudity on Saturday only!)

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BIKE LANES, BIKE PARKING, and BIKE NETWORK all on the City Council agenda • Wednesday June 10 • 7 pm
We are the first agenda item at 7:10 pm.

If you’ve ever pedaled down the street and wished that bicyclists had more of a visible presence on the City streets, I am now writing to ask you to spend 1/2 hour of your time, this coming Wednesday night, by coming to the City Council meeting to show support for better bicycling.  Yes, we have a lot of meetings in this city.  This is one where your bodily presence could have a lasting effect.  If you have never been to a City Council meeting, that is OK.  You don’t need to speak, unless you really want to.  Read on for details, or just come to the meeting.

THIS Wednesday, June 10 • 7 pm
Montpelier City Council (Go in the rear door of city hall; the council room is up 1/2 flight on the main floor.)

Here’s the scoop:
==> All YOU have to do is show up.*  What WE are doing is below.
Bring your bike helmet in with you, and/or come a bit early to get a bicycle sticker for your lapel (provided).

* Note this is one time when showing up is the right thing to do.  Yes, even if it is a gorgeous June evening, or if it is pouring down rain.  Please come on over to City Hall for 1/2 hr with your bicycling friends and go for a bike ride or have a drink before or after.  But if you really can’t show up in person, please do contact your city councilor in advance of the meeting – list of councilors: http://montpelier-vt.org/council/index.cfm#members

Background:  (optional reading)
=>> the Montpelier City Council will consider two important points relating to bicycling this Wednesday – June 10 @ 7:10 pm.

1. The addition of bike lanes to the Route 2 / 302 paving project – 1.6 miles of bike lanes could be added to this project, under construction this summer, with small tweaks to lines, and the addition of signs & bike lane stencils.  Bike lanes are on-road bicycle facilities (not a bike path).  Through the Montpelier Bikes project, consulting firm Going Green has been working with the City DPW and VTrans, and the idea is doable from a technical perspective – it may need political will.  Bike lanes on the road would not replace the off-road path to Barre (the one in the works for the past 10+ years!) but would serve those traveling on Route 2/ 302.  Even better, it is going to be built THIS SUMMER.

2. The City’s preliminary support for a bicycle network on the city streets – The Montpelier Bikes project would like to work with the DPW to submit a Transportation Enhancements grant this fall (and to pursue other grant opportunities, such as any future “stimulus” funds and/or federal earmarks) for the development of an on-road bicycle network, including signs and stencils.  Through this project, existing roadways would be indicated for bike use, bike lanes constructed where space permits, and perhaps a few streets could be turned into “bicycle boulevards”  or “shared streets” where motorists and bicyclists are on more equal terms.  Bicycle shelters and lockers would be included at locations such as the middle school, high school, transit stops, library, and pool (the Co-op & Shaw’s would not be eligible as they are private property). There are also a few “spots” to improve for bicycling.  For example, the connection between National Life Drive and the Winooski Bike Path (near the DET lot) is very poor.  Similarly, the connection between Terrace St. and Court St. (through the state area) could be improved to make it work effectively for bicycling, including kids biking to school.  And wouldn’t it be nice if the end of the bike path near Sarducci’s ended a little better – an easier turn across the RR tracks to Barre St., or a better connection directly to Main St.  Aside from the initial construction, support will be needed for the City to be willing to take on the ongoing maintenance of these facilities.
We will be seeking preliminary support – the first step in the conversation – for this project.  Strong citizen support (that’s you) can turn into strong Council support.

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World Naked Bike Ride
Saturday, June 13
Show up between 1 and 2 at Freeride. Ride leaves promptly at 2.
More Details: www.montpeliernakedbikeride.org

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Freeride Montpelier
www.freeridemontpelier.org
89 Barre st (across from Nelson Ave), around back
802-332-6060
Current hours posted on our website.

Short Update 5/7/9

In this post:
- New Thursday hours
- Thanks for donations!
- Upcoming event: ride of silence

THURSDAY SHIFT CHANGE

Starting this week (tonight) and continuing most likely through May, the
Thursday evening shift at Freeride will be 5pm to 7pm. Hopefully this will
accommodate those of you looking to swing by after work.

BIKE DRIVE THANKS

We were able to collect a small number of serviceable bikes and wheels, as
well as make some parts and frames available to artists for this year’s
SculptCycle. Thanks to those of you who dropped off donations. And if you
didn’t make it down, but have something you’d like to donate, we always
take in donations left by our doors; drop them off any time!

RIDE OF SILENCE

The Vermont Bicycle Pedestrian Coalition is organizing a Ride of Silence
in Montpelier on Wednesday, May 20 to remember all those injured or killed
by motor vehicles while bicycling. Participants are asked to gather in
front of the State House on State Street at 7:00 pm. The group will ride
12 miles in silence at a respectful pace while wearing black and red
armbands,
which will be supplied by the Coalition. This event is free and all are
invited.

Spring Update 4/26/9

In this update:
- New shift
- Bike/part drive THIS WEEK!
- Coming soon – affordable helmets!
- Upcoming events

THURSDAY SHIFT REOPENS

As always, our shifts are a great time to come down with your bike and get help fixing/maintaining it, or learn mechanic skills while fixing up bikes for Freeride, or buy one of our excellent and/or affordable used bikes (we have a lot of especially nice road bikes right now!).

Starting this week (4/30), Thursday evening shifts will start again. This week the shift will be 6pm to 8 pm, but in future weeks it may begin earlier. Check the website (www.freeridemontpelier.org) for an always up-to-date schedule.

BIKE AND PART DRIVE THIS WEEK!

In conjunction with SculptCycle (www.sculptcycle.org/), Freeride is collecting donations of old bikes and bike-related parts and tools. We’ll use what we can in the shop, and make the rest available to local artists to use in their SculptCycle pieces this year! Starting today, you can bring donations to the shop any time. If we are not open, you may leave them in front of the Freeride garage door. Please take care not to block the Stone Environmental doors to the right.

We encourage you to bring things down this week (through Monday, May 4) in order to get these artists what they need, but Freeride does accept donations any time, so keep us in mind when you’re clearing out that basement/garage/etc.

HELMETS TO ARRIVE SOON

Because of a generous program of Safe Kids Vermont (part of Safe Kids USA: http://www.usa.safekids.org/), we will soon be able to offer safe, affordable ($10-$20) helmets for kids and adults. We anticipate the first round to arrive within a few weeks.

UPCOMING EVENTS

***Second VT AMBUCS – Adaptive Bike Fitting Event- May 16th in Winooski!***

There will be lots of sizes and models of bikes/trykes for toddlers to adults with movement challenges to try!  During the last event we were able to fit every child with a bike that they were able to move independently in.
O’Brien Community Center and the YMCA May 16th from 9:30-3:30.
Sponsored by the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion.

***Montpelier Naked Bike Ride – June 13th in Montpelier***

Starting at Freeride at 1pm. More details: www.montpeliernakedbikeride.org.

Freeride Winter Update 2/10/09

In this post:
- Shifts through April
- A view towards Spring

REMAINING WINTER SHIFTS

As we’ve spent some low-attendance shifts at the shop this winter, we’ve
had some time to contemplate the service we’re providing, and what the
future of Freeride might look like. One of the first changes we’ve decided
to make is to move down to one shift until April. This will give the three
of us, and other mechanics/aspiring mechanics, a chance to share knowledge
during the remaining shift each week, as well as plan more for the spring.

Thus, until April, our shift schedule will be, simply:

Tuesday evenings, 6 – 8 pm

AND BEYOND

We’ve brainstormed a few things for the spring, including beginning to
lend out bikes from the shop (like a library. The bikes are great downtown
bikes, with racks that can hold 2 grocery bags easily), and focusing some
more on outreach to build membership and volunteers. We will definitely be
focusing on a few things, however:

- Bike/part drive. We’ve gone through a lot of the bikes and parts that we
had left in stock, and need more to work with. We’ll be looking (harder)
for a place to store materials, and we definitely want whatever you or
your friends or enemies have in your basements and garages rusting away.

- Membership renewals. We’re happy to have a really low budget, and
judging by our first 2 years, we run a pretty fiscally sustainable
organization. While our main source of income is bike sales, our favorite
income is from our members, paying yearly dues so that whenever their bike
has a flat tire, rusty chain, sticky headset, or just needs flashier
pedals, streamers, or whatever, they know they can come by to get help
working on it. Of course, if you want to renew for 2009 now, our dues are
still $0 to $30, sliding scale.

We’re looking forward to the spring, and opening the doors to more people.
It’s heartening to know that there are still dozens of Montpelierites
biking in the winter, because one of these years, the gas prices will stay
up. It’s not too late to start practicing your winter biking this year!

Best,
Colin Gunn, Matt Brittenham, Stan Brinkerhoff
Head Mechanics
Freeride Montpelier

Freeride Update 11/16/8

In this post:
- Freeride posters, t-shirts and patches available!
- Upcoming closed dates
- Meeting recap posted
- Forwarded message from Montpelier Bikes, seeking bike ambassadors and
input on bike parking

SHIRTS AND STUFF!
We recently traded a bike in return for screen printing, and received some
really great posters and shirts. We’ll get pictures up to the blog soon.
They are available at the shop, and are $4 for patches, $8 for posters and
$12 for shirts (all printed on clean used shirts of various sizes).

UPCOMING CLOSED DATES
The shop will be closed on Thursday, November 27, as well as Thursday,
December 25 through Thursday, January 1. Come get fenders and lights
beforehand!

MEETING RECAP
Thanks again to the wonderful members who came to our member meeting last
month to help us brainstorm some future directions for Freeride. Some
notes from that meeting have been posted on our blog, accessible through
our website (www.freeridemontpelier.org).

FORWARD FROM MONTPELIER BIKES
Freeride is passing along the below notes from the Montpelier Bikes
project.  Freeride will pass along occasional notes from this project -
but if you would like to get the full scoop, directly, please ask to be
added to the Montpelier Bikes email list by sending a message to
montpelierbikes@gmail.com  — this list is for announcements only, and
tops out at 1-3 messages per month.  More information about Montpelier
Bikes is at http://montpelierbikes.blogspot.com

MONTPELIER BIKES SEEKS INPUT ON BICYCLE PARKING – Take the 10-min online
survey by Dec. 1
Volunteers from the Montpelier Bikes project recently completed an
inventory of existing bicycle parking in the capital city. For a summary
of that inventory, please see http://montpelierbikes.blogspot.com  The
good news is that Montpelier does have a fair amount of bicycle parking;
the bad news is that most are old-style, “wheelbender” racks.  Meanwhile,
bicyclists especially in the downtown business district, lock to trees,
benches, and trashcans.  Where should new racks go? Please take the online
survey at:
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/74033/bicycle-rack-locations-montpelier-vt

BICYCLE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM SEEKS INPUT
Bicycle Ambassador Programs engage community volunteers in promoting
bicycling awareness and safety.  Bicycle Ambassador programs are up and
running in communities around the country including Chicago, Illinois;
Seattle, Washington; and Boulder, Colorado — where 20% of commuters go by
bike!  Bicycle Ambassadors might teach bike safety at block parties or
community events, help a new bicyclist get comfortable with a route or
equipment, help distribute flyers, supervise a bike parking corral at
public events, or simply be a role model by responsibly riding around town
(in a low-key uniform such as a t-shirt) talking to other bicyclists and
motorists.

The Montpelier Bikes Project is planning for Spring 2009.  What should a
bicycle ambassadors’ program look like here?  What information do
volunteers need to be effective Ambassadors?  What research do we need to
do before rolling out a program?  Winter is the time to plan, so you are
invited to a brainstorming meeting at Montpelier High School on Monday,
December 8, 6:30 pm in Room 105.  More info at
http://montpelierbikes.blogspot.com/2008/11/bicycle-ambassadors-planning-meeting.html
- or send along ideas via email if you prefer to montpelierbikes@gmail.com

REMEMBER LIGHTS AT NIGHT – AVOID POTENTIAL $55 FINE
With the recent time change, bicyclists are reminded to use lights at
night – don’t get caught in these fall evenings without them!  A white
front light is required by state law, as is a rear red reflector.  The
fine is $25 plus fees, totaling $55.  While Montpelier Police are mostly
issuing warnings – they may ticket repeat offenders, as it is indeed a
matter of safety.  You can also help combat road-rage against bicyclists
by using lights.  One reason motorists get upset at bicyclists is when we
do unpredictable things — such as being on the road at night without
proper lights.

For a reader-friendly scoop on all the local, Montpelier bicycle laws -
please see: http://www.goinggreenvt.com/Montpelier/MontpelierBikeLaws.pdf

If you would like to be added to the MontpelierBikes email list – please
just email montpelierbikes@gmail.com

Member Meeting “Minutes” 10/6/8

Note from Colin: I’m sorry this took a month to get out. I was psyched about a lot of the ideas we kicked around, particularly about generally promoting bike culture in the area. Of course, if you are excited about helping with any of these projects, please volunteer with us!

Freeride Montpelier Member Meeting Minutes

10.6.8

Attended by 9 members, including the steering committee.

Minutes assembled sloppily by Colin

The agenda of the meeting was loose discussion about Freeride, hopefully to come up with some plans for the winter and beginning of next year. This is a hodgepodge of notes following some of the basic ideas in the conversation:

- Visibility remains a problem, including physically being able to find the shop. A bright sandwich board with an arrow was suggested.

- Part of our mission is “promoting bicycling in Montpelier and surrounding communities”. How can we be doing this beyond providing space and education through service during shifts?

• Rides, classes, starting a ride contact list, posters/flyers…
• Improving our bike hauling capability towards showing what is possible
• Promotional videos such as how to get to Freeride and some basic tutorials for bike work or Montpelier-specific riding. It was mentioned that we may be able to use a bike-mounted camera from the schools, and that Onion River Community Access (ORCA) offer the use of video/editing equipment to nonprofits, and that there are digital video tutorials on the web.
• Focusing on bike culture vs. car culture, changing the norm with a growing movement and increasing numbers.

- Freeride has been relying on volunteers to do organizational work as well as staff the shop or take on random tasks. We talked about volunteer recruitment, how to bring people in. It was mentioned that when most people first start to volunteer, it is helpful to have very specific tasks that they can choose to take on, with plenty of support. We also realized that few people have been volunteering for regular shifts, and decided to encourage people to do this in order to learn mechanics and perhaps be able to take on a shift of their own in the future.

- We discussed bike safety for a while, and came up with ideas of how Freeride might promote bike safety. It was mentioned that we are saving up funds to make a helmet order, anticipated next spring/summer. Here are some of the ideas:

• Safety/rules of the road workshops. They could also be small parts of other workshops. A volunteer could assemble information about the existing workshops that other organizations are putting on to be advertised by Freeride.
• A volunteer could do research on bike safety and assemble a resource manual for the shop/website, or tags for the bikes we sell (such as 5-7 biggest “watch out for this” tips)
• We could analyze what went wrong in the stories of real bike accidents. One of our members works at the Berlin hospital and may be able to get information on these cases.

Still Kickin’

Well, some of you may have noticed that we haven’t posted much this summer, or advertised much, or done much besides stay open. Well, just so you know, we’re still here and we’ve still got big plans. Here are some updates about what we’re up to:

We’re down to Tuesday and Thursday evening shifts (from 6 to 8), probably our winter schedule. Matt and Stan have been holding down these shifts for more than a year now, and for that they deserve more than any thanks they can be given in a blog post. Also, Madeline deserves a big thanks for holding Women and Trans night all summer. Thanks Mechanics! You are really what keeps Freeride going.

Of course, Members help a lot. This year, we have fewer current members than last year, by 20 or 30. Part of this is surely due to us not having advertised much this summer. Some of the folks who still use the shop probably didn’t renew, because we weren’t as diligent about checking as we could have been.

We did sell a lot of bikes this year; we made more off of bike sales this year than last. We still have a few great bikes on the floor, as well as more on the way, so if you’re looking for one, drop by!

The community bikes project went through a number of changes throughout the year. In trying to include many perspectives from the community in the process, we got feedback on the project that led to an expansion in the project’s projected budget. We realized that with our current funds, we couldn’t pull off our original idea, so we decided to pursue a bike library instead. We’re looking to make the library bikes available in the early spring of 2009. Hopefully, people will be able to check bikes out from a few locations in town for free or for a deposit. We have already built up 4 of the bikes, and expect to have a good-sized fleet ready by the spring. If you’re moved to help with building up bikes, or with writing letters to local businesses, please contact us!

We lost our storage space this year, which was a big deal. We had to let go of 50+ bikes (mostly cheap, department store bikes), making up most of our extra material to work with. We also couldn’t accept many donated bikes since then. While we’ve really appreciated the space we’ve been in, and the relatively low rent, our ultimate goal is finding a more permanent space. I actually had a dream one night where we were buying a gas station in town to convert into a full bike shop. While this would be amazing, we’ll settle for some storage space somewhere if you know of any.

If you’re interested in bike mechanics, or in winterizing your bike and riding through the cold, consider stopping by during our shifts. The winter is a great time to learn with us! And maybe by next year you’ll be able to help out as a regular mechanic!

It was inspiring to see so many bikes on the streets this summer, let’s see if we can continue the trend!

- Colin

Community Bike Library

Freeride Montpelier is slowly losing access to its storage space.  This weekend a large crew of head mechanics decended upon the current inventory of bikes in storage, and rescued components, frames, and reasonably awesome bikes in storage.  We pulled out quite a few bikes we will be using for our Community Bike Lending Library, as well as some bikes we will be repairing and making available for sale.

We are still accepting any and all bike donations!  Our space crunch is just causing us to be slightly more selective about what we repair, and what we strip for parts and recycle.

If you have any leads on a storage location that Freeride Montpelier could use, please let us know!  Otherwise, we hope to see you around the shop.

THE SPACE RACE IS ON FOR 2008!

Very soon, Freeride will be losing its storage space where it houses
hundreds of bikes waiting to be fixed or used for parts or art. Do you
know of any good storage space? Basements of buildings in town, unused
garages, warehouses? Free is preferable, but we may be able to pay modest
rent.

Also, while we love our shop space, we are almost constantly feeling the
limit of its size. Ideally, we would like to find a suitable shop space
attached to or very close to a storage space.

Please email us with ideas!

R.I.P. Sheldon Brown

Sheldon Brown 1944 – 2008