Volume CXXXIII, Number 6 October 24, 2003

Brunswick biker friendly
KEISHA PAYSON
CONTRIBUTOR

The League of American Bicyclists recently named the town of Brunswick a "Biker Friendly Community!"

The Biker Friendly Community program describes itself as "a national grassroots effort to increase the number of trips made by bike, promote physical fitness, and help make communities more liveable. The Campaign works in the most effective way possible-town by town, city by city-to encourage bicycling and achieve a bicycle-friendly America."

The League of American Bicyclists has several criteria that a town must fulfill in order to become a "Biker Friendly Community."

These criteria include:

-The physical environment for bicycling-on-street facilities, trails, parking etc.

-Education programs to promote a "share the road" ethic among bicyclists and drivers.

-Promotional initiatives to persuade people to ride or walk more often.

-Enforcement of traffic laws for both motorists and bicyclists.

-Future plans and evaluation techniques to improve conditions.

Why is riding a bike so great?

-It is usually easier to park a bike than it is a car.

-It is often faster to bicycle than to drive through streets clogged with traffic congestion.

-Cycling may save money by reducing the wear on your automobile.

-It reduces air pollution.

What is Bowdoin doing to make the campus more bike-friendly? Elliot Wright '04 is currently working on creating a bike-sharing program for the Bowdoin community. Contact Elliot at ewright@bowdoin.edu if you have any questions or want to help!

Sustainable Bowdoin would also like to thank Phil Carey and the entire Brunswick Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee on their great work in getting the Bicycle Friendly Community award!

So take advantage of Brunswick's and Bowdoin's "Biker Friendly" accommodations and hop on your bike rather than jumping into your car!

Have Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Contact Keisha Payson, Coordinator for a Sustainable Bowdoin via email at cpayson@bowdoin.edu or call 725-3086.

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