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It's Cycling Season!
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Springtime in the Mid-Atlantic is the perfect time to get outside and get active. After a long winter, we're ready to lace up our sneakers, strap on our helmets, and dust off our bikes from their winter hibernation. Winter bikers, we salute you, but if you're anything like the rest of us, we know your bike-use might have dwindled these past few months. So, before you take that first ride of the season, remember to give your bike a little love with a few quick
tune-ups that will keep your ride fun and safe.
Now that we're ready to ride -- let's celebrate cycling season by
participating in Bike to Work Day on May 17th, which is held during Bike to Work Week, May 13th - 19th. Launched in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists, this event has become an annual tradition in communities around the United States. From San Fransisco, CA, to Denver, CO, to Frederick, MD, to Falls Church, VA -- cities and towns are encouraging their residents to bike to the office, school, church, or simply around town.
As we gear up for this annual event, we've gathered a few resources to help your city or town join the movement and get biking. Here's how:
- Check out what's happening in your region. There are numerous organizations, governments, and community groups organizing Bike to Work Day/Week events throughout MD and VA. If you're located in the Washington Metro Area, Commuter Connections and Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) have teamed up to host regional Bike to Work Day events and pitstops throughout the DMV. Information and free registration can be found here. For more information on Virginia statewide events, check out Virginia Bike to Work Week/Day. Maryland cities and towns can find various events in or around Baltimore County and Frederick County.
- Don't see anything happening in your city, town, or county? Consider hosting your own Bike to Work Day/Week event. The League of American Bicyclists has compiled a few ideas to get things rolling in your community.
- Safety first! Get your community ready to ride by hosting a bike safety event to help your staff or community members learn the basics of how to safely and easily fit biking into your daily life. Consider hosting a bike safety seminar or stream a few bike safety videos during an office Lunch 'n Learn.
- Before you hit the road -- let technology be your friend and download one of these fun bike apps to help track your ride or find a new route.
- Now get outside and pedal! And don't forget to send us some social media love by tweeting your photos to @HEALMidAtlantic! Happy riding!
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2019 MML Summer Conference
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We want to recognize your city or town at the upcoming Maryland Municipal League (MML) Summer Conference (June 23-26, 2019). Cities or towns applying for a new recognition level should complete an application by Friday, May 24th. If you are applying to become a NEW HEAL city or town, please send in your application by Monday, May 20th as we need more time to prepare your new member plaque in time for the conference.
MML
Summer Conference Agenda:
The HEAL Campaign
will be in the exhibit hall at booth 802 throughout the Conference. We will have information, handouts, badges, and healthy snacks to share. Stop by to say hi and try our famous infused water!
We will also be hosting a reception for all our new and current MD HEAL cities and towns. Join us for refreshments and chance to meet and mingle with your fellow HEAL Campaign leaders. We will be reaching out to our MD HEAL contacts directly, so stay tuned for further information and updates.
If you participated in the event last year, we would love to hear from you! Please email Campaign Manager Sydney Daigle at [email protected] with any comments, recommendations, or topics you would like us to include at the reception. We're looking forward to seeing you all there!
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HEAL Implementation Grantees Announced
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The HEAL Campaign is pleased to announce our newest HEAL Implementation Grantees! For more information on our grantees, check out our recent press release.
Thank you to all our cities and towns for submitting a proposal. We appreciate your dedication and commitment to helping your communities eat better and move more. We look forward to continuing to support all our HEAL Campaign members through our complimentary technical assistance and resources.
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Spotlight of the Month | Roanoke Virginia
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 T
his month we are reissuing our Spotlight feature on the City of Roanoke. This City is helping the community stay active by developing new bike lanes, parks, and greenways. Healthy lifestyle practices and outdoor amenities have also boosted the city's tourism industry as visitors participate in City-run races, festivals, and events. Read how this city has become a destination for residents and businesses alike! Read the Spotlight article
here
.
Interested in having your city or town featured in an upcoming Spotlight article? Please send a request to Sydney Daigle,
[email protected] .
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Tools and Resources
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Webinar | Fuel for Active Bodies: Increasing Access to Healthy Food
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According to a report by the USDA, approximately 23.5 million people in the US live in food deserts, areas where people live more than a mile from a market or store that sells fresh produce, whole grains, and other foods essential to a balanced diet.
This webinar from America Walks will share how
communities are working to increase access, via walking and active transportation, to healthy food in their own backyards. The webinar will be held on May 8th at 2 PM EST. Register here.
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Article | Civic Crowdfunding Can Reduce the Risk of 'Bikelash'-
CityLab explores the effect of collective fundraising techniques to foster community engagement and participation around local infrastructure projects. Find out how cities around the country have successfully used this technique to implement protected bike lanes and other infrastructure projects. Read the article here.
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Article | Parks as a Solution to Climate Change -
Climate change is one of the most pressing social, economic, and health challenges of our time. Parks can play a key role in mitigating harmful impacts by reducing
carbon pollution; protecting people and infrastructure from increasingly severe storms, sea-level rise, heat waves and droughts; and directly reduce some of the primary public health challenges. The National Recreation and Park Association shares information on the benefits of park and helpful resources to improve parks in your community. Find the article here.
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Article | 101 Small Ways You Can Improve Your City -
This lists includes 101 small ideas with huge potential to spruce up your community. Spring is a great time to launch new community events or projects that promote healthy eating, active living, and community involvement. From redesigning crosswalks to building pop-up playgrounds, this lists features inspiring ideas from cities and towns across the county. Find more ideas here.
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About Us
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HEAL is a project of the Institute for Public Health Innovation in
partnership with the Maryland and Virginia Municipal Leagues and funded by Kaiser Permanente, founding partner.
For more information on the HEAL Cities & Towns Campaign, please visit the website at www.healcitiesmidatlantic.org or contact HEAL Campaign Manager, Sydney Daigle at [email protected].
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