BWA-NH Current News

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.

Sixth annual Bike-Walk to Work Day in NH is May 16

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. 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.
Safe Routes to School:

As one of ten voting members on the SRTS Statewide Advisory Committee, BWA-NH pleased to announce that $495,952 in federal funds have been granted to ten communities around the state. A second round of reimbursement funding will started on March 17 with applications being accepted until May 12. For details about the application process, please see the March and April SRTS newsletters. For the latest news concerning Round Two including the guidelines, applications, and dates for proposals, please visit the NH Safe Routes to School web site. For a description of the Round One grants approved on December 3 by the NH DOT Commissioner Charles O'Leary, please see the February 2008 SRTS Newsletter as issued by John Corrigan, NH SRTS Coordinator.

New Bike Group Supports Cycling Advocacy in the Lakes Region

A new group called Lakes Region Bicycling (LRB) has launched web site dedicated to bicycling in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. One of the site's initiatives is to encourage the creation of wide shoulders sround Winnipesaukee, and the eventual establishment of a safe bike route all the way around the big lake. They also will have similar initiatives for the smaller lakes in the region. Any any assistance provided would appreciated. Have a look at their nice web site:

http://www.lakesregionbicycling.com/content/blogcategory/21/39/

Lakes Region Bicycling founder Jim Zimmermann may be contacted at 603-293-8188, jim@techra.com. Additional info about LRB may be found on this web site -- click here.

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.

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 has been very positive. Hearings on the bill were held in January and February. It was approved by the full House of Representatives on March 5 and is now in the Senate. For details check our Legislation page. Support is needed to make bicycling better and safer for everyone in NH. See the BWA-NH calendar for details and for when the Senate hearings will be held. Dates and the Senate bill number were not defined as of March 6.

Our long-standing mentor in BCM, Executive Director Jeff Miller, has taken the lead role of the national Thunderhead Alliance in Washington, DC. We will miss his dynamic personality and many suggestions, but we certainly wish Jeff well in his new adventure. The complete announcement about his new position and the search for a replacement BCM Executive Director may be viewed here.

Rail Trails:

Recent activities concern rail trail development has prompted BWA-NH to create multiple pages on this web site devoted strictly to this fast-growing effort. This is a "work in progress" in which each community and known supporting rail trail or related organization will be listed. Links to web sites of the individual organizations, contact information, on-line slide shows, some photos, and email list serve availability are to be included. BWA-NH is not in any way to influence these organizations but rather wishes to publicize their efforts and promote communication between related groups. Once groups work together and obtain additional public support, the synergy will result in better designs and faster implementation of new rail trails. Input for this rail trail section is solicited from each organization. We foresee several updates a month to keep this section a meaningful reference. As of January first, we can report progress on the formation of the Salem "Route 28 Pedestrian and Bicycle Corridor Committee" and a renewed interest by Londonderry Trailways in completing their section of the Salem to Manchester rail trail. Check it out the details and photos starting with our Rail Trail Index Page.

Looking Ahead:

BWA-NH has a long way to go to catch up with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) and MassBike, but we feel some good progress has been made this past year toward making NH more "bicyclist friendly." We encourage all interested parties, cyclists or not, to speak up in favor of improved bike-ped policies, education, and facilities. GSW members can renew their membership for just $20.00 more than the basic GSW rate of $15.00 if they wish to help financially with a tax deductible donation. Anyone can join the free BWA-NH email list serve (E-Group) to learn what is going on then take action as desired. BWA-NH strives to be the voice for bicyclists and pedestrians across the whole state. Together we can make a positive difference!

Recent News

Did you miss reading about what the BWA-NH has been doing in past years? If so, check out our Recent News page.