This weekend I spent some time cycling. I biked from my house yesterday to Union Baptist Church (they started a mentoring program for young girls). Also biked to the Greenburgh Nature Center (they dedicated an impressive new barn housing interesting animals). And, enjoyed cycling around Elmsford, Tarrytown, Hastings, Edgemont & Hartsdale. When I was cycling on Route 119, West Hartsdale Ave, 9A I was a little nervous. The bad winter weather has taken a toll on the roads- some potholes. Road surfaces are not very smooth. Some motorists drive very close to cyclists.
My experiences this weekend highlight the importance of the Bike summit that will take place at Greenburgh Town Hall this Thursday from 3-7 PM. If you have the time and enjoy cycling, please attend this important forum.
Among suggestions I will make: bike racks are needed on buses. They are inexpensive. The buses could charge for each bicycle (they could make the bike racks revenue generators for the county). Scenic river villages should also do what communities around the world do--have bike rentals at train stations.
The Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester & Putnam invites you to our 2nd annual Westchester Bike Summit, on Thurs. May 6, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave., Greenburgh. This year, we are gathering together planners, state and local government officials, cyclists, and leaders in the local bike industry to discuss ways to make our region more friendly to those who get around on two wheels.
3.15 – Kate Slevin, executive director, Tri State Transportation Campaign – She’ll talk about state and local initiatives in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, looking at how communities are coming together to improve the streetscape for cycling.
3.30 pm – State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins – She discusses the Safe Passing law she is sponsoring in Albany, which would require motorist give cyclists a three-foot buffer when passing. She sponsored the bill after Greenburgh resident Merrill Cassell was killed in November on Route 119 after being sideswiped by a Beeline bus.
3.50 pm - Tom Madden, Greenburgh planning commissioner – He’ll discuss the town of Greenburgh process of incorporating bike-friendly elements into a town’s master plan. By doing so, a town will then have a plan in place when the state or town begins a road resurfacing or reconstruction project.
4.10 pm - Steve Kahn, owner, Danny’s Cycles of Scarsdale and Mohegan Lake – Bike shops in Westchester play a crucial role in building our local cycling communities. They provide us with our bikes, and keep them in running order. They also provide jobs and tax revenues for our local economy.
4.30 pm – Sandra Fry, principal transportation planner, Connecticut Regional Council of governments – CT Transit, like many public transportation systems in America, has bike racks on urban buses to extend the reach of Connecticut’s mass transit system. We’ll learn about how Connecticut did it, and the state’s experience.
4.50 pm - Michael Oliva, Mid Atlantic trail coordinator, East Coast Greenway Alliance – Oliva will discuss the East Coast Greenway route in Westchester, and the challenges to complete the route along the Hutchinson River Parkway and from the Bronx to Bronxville.
5.10 pm – Lukas Herbert - Westchester County associate planner Herbert will discuss how town can encourage bike and pedestrian amenities in new projects. He’ll also give an update on the county trailway system.
5.30 pm – Jackson Wandres, Landscape Architect and Michael Dannemiller, Planner, RBA Group - Wandres will discuss the Complete Streets movement and show ways communities are incorporating bike/pedestrian improvements into road projects. Dannemiller will review regional Complete Streets efforts and resources available.
5.45 pm. - Planner Stephen Lopez will present a proposal for new standards that the county and local governments can use while resurfacing or reconstructing local roads to include bike-friendly features.
6.15 to 7 pm – Closing comments, and reception, sponsored by Westchester Cycle Club.