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Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==
About us -- the BWA-NH, formerly the GSBA
Mission Statement
The Bike-Walk Alliance of NH (BWA-NH) is to be the statewide focal point for bicycling and pedestrian related issues including safety and education programs, to act as a clearinghouse and resource for literature, and to promote viable programs initiated by other organizations.
For answers to some general questions about the BWA-NH, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
BWA-NH Goals
1. To be the voice
for bicyclists and pedestrians in New Hampshire.
2. To ensure streets are bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
3. Provide resources and support bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages.
4. Endorse the IEE Program (Inform, Educate and Enforce) via the public, state,
and private agencies.
5. To be the statewide liaison for all bicycling clubs.
6. Promote bicycle and pedestrian safety, education, and trail access.
7. Advocate for cyclists and pedestrian rights.
8. Publicize that bicycles are legal vehicles on our roadways.
9. Enhance state and local laws to incorporate the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians.
BWA-NH Board
Linda Gould , Executive Director
Linda Gould, a long-time member of the Granite State Wheelmen and promoter of bicycling advocacy in her home town of Bedford, brings a welcomed new dimension to our BWA-NH organization. Within the first month of holding this position, she attended the National Bike Summit in Washington DC on March 1-3, 2006. She traveled and worked with several long-time members of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine so this was a great way to "learn the ropes".
Linda's dedication to bicycling and pedestrian issues will help the BWA-NH move ahead. She has already made many useful contacts in NH and Maine. We expect to see many positive actions continued under her leadership.
Linda may be reached at Linda@bwanh.org, phone 603.472.3877.
Dave Topham, Education and Safety Director
Dave Topham has been actively involved in group cycling and bicycling education since 1971. As one of the founders of the Granite State Wheelmen (GSW) and taking an interest in the then League of American Wheelmen's Effective Cycling program, in 1980 he became one of the first LAW (now LAB) certified bicycling instructors in the country. Since then he has conducted many classes and given presentations to major corporations. For some years he helped cyclists in four states attain their certified instructor status within the League. He remains active in the GSW as a ride leader and Membership Chairperson, having been on the GSW Board in some position every year since the recreational bike club was formed.
Dave lives in Salem, NH and enjoys helping to "push the paperwork" as well as the pedals. His 40+ years of computer background assist in the overhead of keeping both the GSW and BWA-NH computers and databases in order. Over the years Dave has made many contacts with bicycling organizations in the New England area. In 2003, efforts with the NH Department of Safety resulted in the state Drivers Manual being revised to incorporate more about "bicycling awareness" plus 25 bicycling-related questions were provided for the State of NH computerized driver's exam. He is presently a member of the NH Department of Transportation's Bicycle-Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Board with plans to offer multiple bike-ed courses and presentations during the year.
Dave may be reached at Dave@bwanh.org, phone 603.898.9926.
Erich Whitney, Treasurer
Every corporation needs a Treasurer, so Erich volunteered fill this critical position. He and his wife Holly live in Derry, have two children and a dog to keep them busy when not cycling or helping with the BWA-NH paperwork. Erich rides and raises money for various charities each year plus he cycles with his co-workers as time a weather permit.
We are very pleased to have Erich on the BWA-NH Board and we value his expertise.
Judi Hull, Secretary
Paperwork, meeting minutes, and general office support falls into the hands of Judi, a New Boston resident. Having taken the full 30-hour LAB "Effective Cycling" course in 1987 and having held both recording secretary and publicity positions in the GSW for years, Judi is quite well qualified to help the BWA-NH move ahead.
Hollly Whitney, Publicity
The "other half" of the Whitney household is also helping to spread the word about the BWA-NH. Holly has been active in various events in the Derry area and has connections with newspapers. Her background will help inform more people about our organization.
Charley LaFlamme, BWA-BCM Liaison
As the founder of the Bicycling Coalition of Maine in 1992, Charley offers a wealth of information to the BWA-NH concerning organization, publicity, funding, and connections to political contacts at the state and federal levels. He started assisting the BWA-NH transition from the Granite State Bicycling Alliance in October 2005 and has been a non-stop dynamo ever since!
Articles of Agreement
Just in case anyone really cares, the BWA-NH is to be a formal 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation registered with the IRS. Corporation status in the State of New Hampshire was accomplished in April 2006. BWA-NH membership and sponsorship payments will be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, thus the $15.00 gift (if received) and the $15.00 per year to the GSW are the only items not tax deductible.
Our Articles of Agreement and By-Laws are available for viewing on-line as an HTML file for general reference. If there are any questions please contact the BWA-NH office at info@bwanh.org
