Eastern Trail

Maine Bicycle-Friendly Communities Conference: Making Maine More “Bicycle-Friendly”

(sponsored by the Maine Dept. Of Transportation and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine)

Friday, August 15, 2003, Fairfield, Maine

Join us for a day of learning and fun at the sixth in a series of Regional Bicycle Conferences sponsored by MaineDOT. Conference location is the Williamson Arts Center, Lawrence High School Complex off Rt. 139. From the south, take Exit 35, I-95 (Rt. 139 Fairfield/Benton). Travel east on Rt. 139 and look for signs to Lawrence High School on the right. From the north, take Exit 36, I-95 (Skowhegan/Fairfield). Travel south on Rt. 201to downtown Fairfield, then turn right onto Rt. 139 west and look for signs to Lawrence High School on the left.

Conference and lunch are free of charge.

Agenda:

8:00 - Registration/Coffee and Muffins.

8:30 - Welcome David A. Cole, Commissioner Maine Dept. of Transportation

8:40 - Kickoff Presentation - “Making Maine More ‘Bicycle Friendly’" - John Balicki, Maine DOT and Jeff Miller Bicycle Coalition of Maine will show examples of what Maine is already doing to develop a bicycle-friendly attitude.

9:45 to 10:45 and 11:00 to 12:00 - Concurrent Roundtable Workshops (some may be repeated)  (If registering by email, please indicate top three workshop choices in order of priority)

•  “Portland Bike Lane Project” Advocates and engineers from Portland will describe the process and show the results of getting new bike lanes on Portland streets.

•  “Local Bike/Ped Committees: How to Work with Municipal Officials” Join representatives from Town Bicycle/Pedestrian Committees, a Town Public Works Director and a Town Councilor to discuss how local government can effectively implement bicycle improvements.

•  “Maine Safe Routes to School” John Balicki of MaineDOT and John DelVecchio of the State Planning Office will discuss issues regarding bicycling and walking to school, school location and a potential funding program for improvements.

•  “Developing a Bicycle-Friendly Police Department” Join advocates and Police Officers who will discuss statewide training for police and ways police can promote safer bicycling.

•  “Providing Safe Attractive Bike Parking for Downtowns, Schools and Businesses” Robb Zbierski, Graber Products, and John Balicki, Maine DOT will discuss the nuts and bolts of bike racks and provide information on MaineDOT’s 50/50 matching grant program.

• ”Bicycle Education for Adults and Kids” Jeff Miller and Deb Ladner from BCM and Erik Hermann from Kids and Transportation will discuss school programs, bike rodeos, bike tours, motorist education, and mentoring programs.

• “Healthy Citizens = Healthy Communities,” Join a group of health and bicycle advocates to discuss how to build collaborative coalitions based on public health concerns about the link between inactive lifestyles and chronic diseases and the growing interest in workplace wellness programs.

12:00 - Lunch (provided free)

1:00 - Plenary Presentation, Town Meeting on Making Maine More Bicycle-Friendly: What Do We Most Need to Get Working On, led by Richard Olken, Bikes Belong Director and panel participants.

2:15 - Conference Ends

2:30 - Afternoon Bike Tours Begin, Chris McMorrow of C&M Cycles in Waterville will lead a mainly off-road ride of trail development in Waterville/Fairfield/Winslow/Benton and Oakland.

For more information call Jeff Miller at 623-4511 or John Balicki at 624-3252.

Please register via e-mail to bikeinfo@exploremaine.org; Don’t forget to indicate top three workshop priorities!

Registrations accepted on day of conference but RSVP preferred so lunch may be planned.

Call us (207.284.9260) or e-mail the ETA office