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Becka Roolf and Tim Cowles looking stately outside the Vermont Statehouse
After BF owner & Bike/Ped activist Katherine Roberts' recent victory for San Francisco park lovers, we cross over to the other coast where NWT owner, VT Bike/Ped Coalition Director and BF Club of Vermont leader Becka Roolf and Pocket Rocket Pro owner Tim Cowles are rattling bicycle chains in the houses of power ...
TODAY the VT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition had our day in the Vermont Statehouse -- we set up a display table, talked to legislators, and handed out little neon bicycle pins.
We had two Bike Fridays -- my NWT and Tim Cowles' PRP -- in the VT Statehouse. Perhaps a historic event -- Bike Friday folding bicycles inside a state capitol building? You tell me!?
I brought our display -- publications, a tri-fold display, banners, and lime green table cloth -- in my BF trailer suitcase. The 1/2 mile ride to the Statehouse was icy (it snowed about 3" last night, sloppy spring snow), but the bike went along fine.
Several active members of the VT Bike/Ped Coalition are also BF owners. The way I see it, we BF owners are people who "get it" -- that the bicycle should never be left behind!
None of the other 6-7 members of the Coalition who attended brought a big-wheeled bicycle, so we had two BFs sitting there representing all of Vermont bicycling. It's about the only time I've wished the wheels to be bigger (and therefore more visible!).
We also had a good day on the advocacy front:
- We scheduled a "legislative bike ride" for late April and collected about 30 names of legislators who want to join us!
- The VT House is taking up a measure to repeal Vermont's Sidepath law which requires bicyclists to ride on a path adjacent to a roadway.
- The VT Senate is interested in restoring funding to the Vermont bicycle/pedestrian program, which funds sidewalks, trails, and education efforts across the state.
I'm testifying about both policy initiatives this Friday which is hopefully a good omen. ;-)
Becka
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Becka Roolf, Director . becka@VTBikePed.org . Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition . PO Box 1234 . Montpelier VT . 05601 802 . 279.7545 . fax number available by request
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Roads are for people, not just for people in cars.
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Walking, bicycling, & multi-use trails: your best transportation investment for a healthy Vermont.
For more information, follow this link http://www.VTBikePed.org.