Bike helmets rock at the Coach Barn

Bike helmets were the hat of choice on a drizzly Sunday afternoon at Shelburne Farms Coach Barn a few weeks ago. Despite the 43 degree rain spitting weather, this lively party was in full swing bringing together throngs of loyal supporters to celebrate 15 years of nonprofit Local Motion (LM) and 10-year-old Bike Recycle Vermont, both who have played a major role in helping to make our communities more bike and pedestrian friendly. Devoted, passionate, and committed volunteers offer volumes of time and energy to make that happen, from bike safety outreach to delivering statewide bike-skills training and to participating on local community trails and recreation committees. While at the party, the most frequent conversation was from folks lamenting that they wish they had been able to ride their bikes to the celebration. Despite inclement weather, over 50 people arrived by bike.

The entrance to the grand Coach Barn was flanked with bicycles of all colors, shapes and sizes–a lovely way to enter an event that marked many years of hard work. “It is thanks to our enthusiastic and committed members and volunteers that  LM’s first 15 years have been so successful,”  Said Emily Boedecker, Local Motion’s Executive Director. “We are delighted to have over 300 people here today to celebrate with us, and to share their vision of what a walkable, bikeable life looks like for their families and their communities.”

During 2014 alone, over 329 volunteers helped promote numerous biking events including Cycle the City and the Shelburne Bike Fest which offers kids, families, and friends the opportunity to learn bike skills. Bike Recycle Vermont had 96 volunteers who donated 1,983 hours to fix up 321 bikes, and make repairs to 1,200 bikes to keep low-income families moving toward a healthier future. The new level of bike ferry service delivered out at the Cut in the Colchester Causeway offers connections to neighboring communities and attractions.

Perhaps what captures the spirit of how much these organizations help our communities comes from the words of its ardent supporters and volunteers. Joyce Gallimore, LM Board member, has been involved with the organization since its beginnings. “My husband Sam and I arrived in Burlington in October 1997 with our bikes…to decide whether to move here,” Gallimore shared. “The Burlington bike path took us along beautiful Lake Champlain and signaled to us that Burlington was a community that celebrated being active and dedicated to protecting its natural beauty. We joined Local Motion as soon as we met the founder and long time Director Chapin Spencer and staff…We have felt the desire and reward of participating and supporting Local Motion’s mission to create a healthy community where people can use many forms of motion to live, work, and play.”

“Local Motion takes a hundred foot view of our communities and concerns itself with making them pedestrian and bike friendly. For our family that also means advocating for safe routes to schools. Not only is a walkable/bikeable community one in which I want to live, it’s also good for the health and well-being of our family,” supporter, Kevin Veller noted.

Boedecker exudes passion for an organization that promotes healthier lifestyles and a nationwide resurgence of how we view the bike.  “Investments to build networks for walking and biking that are safe and inviting for all ages and abilities reap substantial rewards for personal, economic and community health,” said Boedecker “With our compact downtowns and village centers, our tradition of community engagement, and our love of being outdoors, this is a natural next step for Vermont. Local Motion is working to build capacity to respond to the demand for support and technical assistance from communities as diverse as Essex, Burlington and Brattleboro.”

As I left the Coach Barn celebration with its healthy delicious food, lively music, and inspiring supporters, I glanced at the rack of bikes, wishing one of them was mine.

Living ECO will return next week to continue the conversation.