Sixth annual NH Bike-Walk to Work Day on May 16 very successful

The 2008 Bike/Walk to Work Day (BWWD) on May 16, the sixth annual for NH and the 52nd annual nationally, had over 1,400 people walking and biking to work. This was nearly double the participation of any prior year in NH. BWA-NH was glad to be a partner with NH-DOT to help support and publicize some 36 events statewide. Both paper and on-line surveys completed by the participants helped provide interesting statistics and an insight into areas hindering more bicycling and walking to work.

NH Bike/Walk to Work Day was proclaimed in person by Governor John Lynch after he and his wife, Dr. Susan Lynch, cycled with a small group of GSW and National Guard members from their home town of Hopkinton to the State House where a media frenzy awaited approximately 200 participants. The weather was great and everyone had a good time, complete with bluegrass music provided by a local band.

While no other BWWD in the state had as much media coverage, other towns actually had more participants with the Upper Valley region having 302 and the Seacoast Area Bike Routes organization catering to over 340 cyclists and walkers at nine commuter breakfast locations plus seven corporations had another 70 employees compete in a Corporate Commuter Challenge.

On May 29, a wrap-up meeting was held at NH-DOT. Various NH departments and agencies were represented to review the pros and cons of the May 16 activities. A random drawing of names from the submitted survey gave thirteen participants token prizes. (Click here to see the list of winners.) The BWWD Steering Committee plans to meet again in September to start making plans for an even bigger and better series of events in 2009.

Prior publicity for this statewide event follows:

This state-wide event promotes bicycling or walking for going to work, school, or local shopping trips. In past years almost 800 participants left their cars at home and instead enjoyed bagels and cream cheese at commuter breakfasts held in 13 towns and cities across the state including Claremont, Concord, Dover, Durham, Exeter, Hanover, Keene, Laconia, Lebanon, Littleton, Manchester, Portsmouth and Stratham. These events introduce people to a practical, economical, and healthy method of local commuting so they might continue all year when weather and conditions allow. Many companies now offer a guaranteed ride home (or else where) in the event of a family emergency or just a rainy afternoon. See our 2008 Bike/Walk to Work page for details plus a complete schedule of state-wide Bike/Walk events. Would you believe you can save time as well as money by bicycling to work? Read an article from Bill Fisk, GSW Safety and Education Advisor. And thinking of education, take the test via a video on our "How smart are you?" page.

"Our" 2008 NH bike bill HB-1203 awaits signature by Governor Lynch

"Our" bike bill passed the Senate on May 15. As of June 11 iit was awaiting the signature of Governor John Lynch. Once signed into law, a period of training and public awareness will be implemented via newspaper articles, public service announcements on radio and TV, and the updating of training guides used by NH-DMV and the NH Drivers Education Teachers Association are expected to be released and implemented. BWA-NH has little doubt that Gov. Lynch will sign the bill, likewise we will work with the various NH departments, agencies, associations, and the media to roll-out information about the new rules before they become effective on January 1, 2009.

With this bill being signed into law, New Hampshire will be the 20th state to implement rules giving bicyclists more rights on the road as a true vehicle operator while improving the interaction between motorists and cyclists.

BWA-NH is pleased to be working with Representative Gene Andersen of Lebanon to submit legislation for the 2008 session to update NH laws and policies concerning many aspects of bicycling. The "model" for this legislation is the highly acclaimed State of Maine law enacted in June dubbed "the three foot rule" - motorists must pass bicyclists with at least a three-foot clearance. However, a lot more is included in the bill. Establishing state-wide policies for rumble strips, drain grate orientation, and road surface treatments are included. Initial feedback from businesses, cyclists, and NH DOT was very positive. Hearings on the bill in the House and Senate were well-attended. For details check our Legislation page.

"Safe Kids 500" at the NH Motor Speedway in Loudon

The fourth annual "Safe Kids 500" will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. In 2007 we had good weather so about 500 people participated. Both the kids and the parents had a great time cycling on the track after their bikes passed a safety check by S&W Sports. Helmets are required, likewise helmets are available at the event and a helmet fitting service is provided by the Safe Kids Coalition and BWA-NH. For more information about this famous speedway, click here. For info about the Safe Kids 500, click here.

Safe Routes to School

This federally-funded SRTS program for children in grades K-8 living within two miles of their schools provides for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, up to $200,000 each for the second round of funding now underway. Applications submitted to NH-DOT by the May 12 deadline are now under review by the nine Regional Planning Commissions after which the applicants will present their requests to the SRTS Statewide Advisory Committee (SAC) at the DOT Concord office on Hazen Drive. Following the presentations and scoring of the applications, the SAC will meet for several deliberative sessions to review and approve the grant applications. BWA-NH is pleased to be one of ten voting members on the SRTS Statewide Advisory Committee. For more details about this reimbursement program, please visit the NH Safe Routes to School web site.

Bike-Ed Programs Underway

NH BikeSmart programs were conducted in many schools for grades 3-5 from April through June with some funding obtained from the first round of the SRTS program. A more involved seven-hour on-bike program called "Kids II" is currently underway in Hopkinton.

A "Train the Trainers" program is being considered by several school districts to make bicycling education both sustainable and standardized year after year. This would involve school staff members taking the LAB "Road-I" course to ensure they would have a full understanding of nationally recognized and approved bicycling techniques. The long-term benefits of children learning how to handle a bicycle as a vehicle on our shared roadways before they apply for a motorist's driver license are very apparent. Implementation under tight budgets and schedules is always a problem, but if wanted it will happen.

Another round of "Residential Kids-II" programs has been requested whereby the course is conducted in the homes and neighborhoods of the kids using their bikes on their streets. With no transportation issues, the parents like the convenience and the kids like being with their friends (and close to home) as they learn something new that they can enjoy for years to come.

BWA-NH and GSW represented at National Bike Summit, March 4-6, 2008

BWA-NH Executive Director Linda Gould and GSW President Bill Kennedy attended the LAB National Bike Sumit in Washington, DC on March 4-6, 2008. The GSW received the LAB Region One Club of the Year Award for its long-time support of the League and for helping form BWA-NH. Recognition was given for the work done by BWA-NH in a short time including the introduction of the "bike bill" HB-1203 to make bicycling in NH better for all cyclists.

On "Meet your Congressman Day" during the National Bike Summit in March, Senator Sununu holds the LAB award given to the Granite State Wheelmen for its support to the Bike Walk Alliance of NH which has been promoting bicycling laws, rail trails, and bicycling safety and education in New Hampshire since 2004. From left to right in the photo, we have Christopher Zigmont of Pedro's, a representative from the Bikes Belong Coalition (sorry, we don't have her name!), Charley LaFlamme from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, BWA-NH Executive Director Linda Gould, US Senator John Sununu, and GSW President Bill Kennedy.

Hybrids take the lead

With all the talk about high fuel prices, the need to save money, and the desire for more exercise for better health, it should be no surprise that the practical and reasonably-priced hybrid bikes have become the most popular model. New sales have increased with Specialized now selling more bikes than Trek. With the sagging economy and not having Lance Armstrong's Tour de France performance influencing the sale of high-end road bikes, the shift toward hybrids has been seen throughout the bicycle industry in 2007. Click here for more details.