|
Let's all make winter walking safer
|
Check out
Maine Bureau of Highway Safety's Pedestrian PSA and remember:
Safety is a Two-Way Street!
|
|
Bicycle Friendly Communities
|
Bicycling is more than a practical, cost-effective solution to many municipal challenges. It's an opportunity to make your community a vibrant destination for residents and visitors - a place where people don't just live and work, but thrive.
Two Maine towns are BFCs
Bath just renewed their Bronze-level BFC and has taken extra steps to encourage motorists to follow Maine's 3-foot passing law. Local police and the county sheriff's department have worked together with the City of Bath Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee to create a motorist education program around the law. The sheriff and the police chief were awarded a "Just Do It" commendation by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for the support they have shown bicyclists.
Brunswick is also a Bronze-level BFC.
|
 |
|
Attention High School Students!
|
The
Portland Gear Hub
is seeking Freshman and Sophomore applicants for
BOLT
(Bicycle Outdoor Leadership Training)
LOTS of scholarship funding available :)
|
|
Become a Certified Safety Instructor
|
Do you know all you need to feel comfortable and safely ride a bike with traffic? Do you feel you know enough to teach your children how to ride cautiously and conspicuously while on their own? When you drive a car, are you confident on how to share the road with people on bikes?
The Smart Cycling program gives you the tips, tools, and techniques to confidently answer
YES to each question. Our classes are taught by certified League Cycling Instructors (LCI).
This
FREE course is being offered in:
Want to become a League Cycling Instructor??
LCIs are certified to teach the Smart Cycling classes to children as well as adults. Their goal is to help people feel more secure about getting on a bike, to create a mindset that bikes are treated as a vehicle, and to ensure that people on bikes know how to ride safely and legally. LCIs are also qualified to contract with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for bike/ped safety instructor work at a rate of $30/hour.
|
We're here to help you strategize, answer questions, and support your community as you make plans for walk and bike activities this school year!
The Maine Safe Routes to School Team
|
|
|
|
Darcy Whittemore
Education Program Manager
Erik daSilva
Education Program Coordinator
207-956-6539
Shannon Belt
Education & Outreach Coordinator (Greater Portland)
Patrick Adams
MaineDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager
207-624-3311
|
Resources, Funding, & Timely Opportunities
American Heart Association and RW Johnson Foundation are working engage, organize, and mobilize people to help all children grow up at a healthy weight.
Deadline: Feb 9
Play Space Grant
The National Recreation and Park Association continues its Meet Me at the Park program, providing communities with increased access to inclusive play spaces in local parks for children and families.
Deadline: March 1
|
|
Upcoming Webinars
Bike Sharing - what it is, how it works, and what it looks like in Maine.
Feb 14, 2pm
- Learn the first steps of starting a walking program and things to consider as you do so
- Explore resources available to help start and grow programs
- Hear insights from experienced walking champions
Feb 20, 2pm
Join us while we talk with practitioners that have developed successful volunteer engagement strategies to boost health and safety in their community through SRTS.
Feb 20, 2pm
Land development plans, policies, and zoning code reforms can support walkable communities. Plus the importance of collaboration between planners, transportation and public health practitioners.
|
Teach your students to travel safely!
The Maine SRTS Program
offers free bicycle & pedestrian safety education to schools, rec programs, and other youth organizations. The training covers 8 key points for young pedestrians and bicycle drivers. Adult education is also available.
Contact Erik daSilva with questions.
|
|
|
|
