SPRING/SUMMER 2020 The voice of bicyclists and pedestrians in Maine THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE CONTENTS 2 How Are You Doing? 3 Born to Ride 4 Open and Shut The case for bicycle shops as COVID-19, essential businesses 7 climate change, and cycling 7 A Chance for Change Has the COVID-19 pandemic inadvertently presented an opportunity to think critically about climate change both globally and locally? 9 The Bicycle The most effeicient locomotion, 140 years and counting 11 Bicycles, Walkers, and the governor's Climate Council You can't beat the bike 9 13 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 20 Our Membership A seat at the Governor's table 11 22 Ransom Consulting, LLC A Yellow Jersey Club Business 24 Jim's Corner Advocacy Updates ANNUAL 13 REPORT 2019 This issue wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated, hardworking folks at Springtide Studio in Portland and Edison Press in Sanford. We are truly lucky to have them as partners. MAINE CYCLIST SPRING 2020 | 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS How Are You Doing? Born to Ride STAFF Jean Sideris, Tina West BY TINA WEST, PRESIDENT BY JEAN SIDERIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Executive Director President [email protected] Yarmouth Eliza Cress, Bill Muldoon Communications and Vice President Development Manager Harpswell all to enjoy, at no cost, courtesy of the Butler MY LOVE OF CYCLING started young, when I [email protected] Conservation Fund. Thank you, Mr. Butler! was ‘knee high to grasshopper,’ as my Dad would Erik daSilva, Safety Kierie Piccininni And last, but by no means least, I was awed by say. I would ride in the seat on the back of his red Education Coordinator Secretary [email protected] Bangor the scenery. Views of Mount Katahdin, in all Schwinn, watching the world glide by. When I Will Elting, Aaron Bishop its glory, appeared around every corner of my was old enough to ride on my own, I would bike BikeMaine Ride Director Treasurer travels. For those of you who had planned to in circles around the block for hours. I eventually [email protected] Falmouth ride BikeMaine 2020 and have decided to ride graduated to mountain biking and picked up Mariah Healy, Mission in 2021 instead, you are going to love it! And for road biking when I moved to the East Coast. Advancement Director Margaret Bean [email protected] Belgrade those who are on the fence, please join me on this I love a long ride on a sunny summer day, but Angela King, Lauri Boxer-Macomber ride of a lifetime! my dedication to bike advocacy came through Advocacy Manager Portland Note: Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 becoming a bike commuter. Exploring a city or [email protected] situation, the BCM board and staff have decided town on your feet or pedals provides a unique Dan Knowles, Pamela Fischer to postpone the 2020 ride until September 2021, vantage point, connects you to the culture and Accounting Manager New Gloucester [email protected] when our communities, volunteers, and riders flavor of a neighborhood and its residents—and Nathan Hagelin Emily Lozeau, BikeMaine Portland can more safely participate in and enjoy the can make your work commute a joy. When you Event Coordinator event that reminds us of all the great things that get out of your car and use people-powered [email protected] Henry Heyburn Maine has to offer. transportation, you’ll so often find an interesting Matt Sulem, Office and Brunswick And, finally, I want to assure you the Bicycle historic landmark, a funky shop selling locally Membership Manager and Editor-in-Chief, Eileen Johnson SPRING HAS SPRUNG, and with it comes Coalition of Maine is doing OK. COVID-19 has made wares, a small park tucked away, or a When you get out of your The Maine Cyclist Bowdoin new energy, new commitments, and new certainly created some challenges for us, but delicious ice cream shop to fuel your trip. The car and use people-powered [email protected] Tyler Kidder “social norms.” it has also (1) encouraged us to transform our connection you make with your community is Jim Tassé, Winthrop safety education programs for online learners, palpable and rewarding. Assistant Director First and foremost, I hope that you are healthy transportation ... the [email protected] David Lipman and are coping “as well as can be expected” with (2) provided opportunities for our Community I am thrilled to join the Bicycle Coalition of Vassalboro Darcy Whittemore, the COVID-19 virus situation. Fortunately, Spokes to support innovative ideas that Maine team and eager to guide our work to make connection you make with Safety Education Coordinator Terry Malmer exercise has been deemed an “essential promote “social distancing” and commerce biking and walking safe and accessible to all your community is palpable [email protected] Bangor function,” and bike riding and/or walking is within their downtowns, and (3) highlighted Mainers. As we seek to tackle big challenges like Fritz Onion the norm for many of us. So, I hope that you the importance of safety for all Mainers who reducing pollution, giving people more low- and and rewarding. Wayne have been able to get out for your daily dose of are now cycling and walking on a daily basis. zero-carbon transportation options, and making And, in an effort to ensure that we stay true to our roadways safe for vulnerable users, ex- MAINE CYCLIST Michael Rifkin exercise, fresh air, and freedom, and find that Greene it really does make a difference in how you feel our mission and vision, the BCM has solidified panding and promoting bicycle and pedestrian support and are exploring new ways to expand ADDRESS each and every day. its 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, the details of infrastructure must be a critical component. the Bikes for All Mainers program. And our Jeff White 38 Diamond Street Cape Elizabeth As you likely know by now, Jean Sideris which will be released within the next couple of I know BCM’s wide range of programs are Imagine People Here demonstration projects Portland, Maine 04101 joined the Bicycle Coalition of Maine as its next weeks. Stay tuned! designed for success, including bicycle and bring innovative ways to welcome bikers and 207.623.4511 bikemaine.org executive director in February. Her energy, Please let me know if you have new ideas or pedestrian safety education for all ages, advo- walkers to towns throughout the state. EMERITUS passion, and commitment is quite contagious. concerns related to the Bicycle Coalition of cating for comprehensive transportation policy, I want to extend a personal thank you to each EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Charley LaFlamme If you need a bit of a boost after a not-so-long Maine. Or, perhaps you’d just like to commend and working with community partners to make and every one of you, the members and support- Matt Sulem Moody Maine winter and a spring that has taken forever or further encourage our efforts to make Maine change at the local level. And even with the ongo- ers of the Coalition! We could not do our work to warm up, please give her a call. She is eager to better for cyclists and pedestrians. Whatever ing pandemic, we have a whole host of exciting without your support. I hope to see you all out on CONTRIBUTING Larry Rubinstein WRITERS Scarborough meet you, to learn from you, and to share some your message, I’m all ears! So, let’s talk. plans this year. We will be hosting creative the road! Eliza Cress new ideas on how to make Maine better for virtual events and experiences. We continue to Pedal on, my friends! Erik daSilva Fred Robie Mariah Healy Freeport cyclists and pedestrians. Welcome, Jean! Jim Tassé In March of this year, I ventured north to the Katahdin Frontier, in search of BikeMaine PHOTOGRAPHY business sponsors. What I found were down-to- Eliza Cress earth people who have invested their hearts and souls in their community, work, and families. I Something on your mind? Contact me at DESIGN Where do you see the Coalition going? discovered the Penobscot River Trails, which [email protected] Springtide Studio Tell me at [email protected] offer 25km of groomed, x-country and fat biking trails in the winter, hiking and biking trails in the summer, and kayaking adventures for 2 | BICYCLE COALITION OF ME MAINE CYCLIST SPRING 2020 | 3 “The situation was moving so fast—I decided to take time to evaluate,” Danielson said. “At that point in time, it was the only outcome I felt confident could keep my team, shop, custom- ers, and family safe.” Although there were still social media and website announcements that needed to be made and other ends to be tied up, it looked like work at these shops would soon fizzle out. At the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the work was just heating up. AN ESSENTIAL EFFORT “In the Governor’s Executive Order, essential businesses are defined according to guidance provided in a Department of Homeland Security document,” the BCM said in a letter written on behalf of all shops and sent to the governor’s office. “This guidance describes two ways in which we feel bicycle shops are essential transportation services.” Specifically, companies “supporting or enabling transportation function” and “repairing and maintaining vehicles” are permitted to remain open under the language of the order. Since bicycles are a primary mode of transportation for many—including essential workers— the sale and service of bikes should be allowed to continue. “Bicycle shops provide support for economically disadvantaged people’s car-free mobility,” the BCM’s letter stated while also acknowledging both the currently abbreviated schedules of public mass transit and physical-distancing recommendations.