Green Streeter Ian Riddell, Halloween 2008
Oct 28 – Westbrook Sebago to the Sea Trail Meeting
Public meeting on Sebago to the Sea Trail, Westbrook High School, 5:30 pm
Oct 30 – Halloween Costume Bike Ride
Improptu Halloween Costume Bike Ride starting at Monument Square, Portland, 6pm. It was a fun informal gathering last year (see photos at the bottom of this post from last fall). Go to Portland Bike Commuter Meetup for details and don’t forget your lights!
Oct 31 – Pedestrian Safety Tips for Halloween
Smart, comprehensive tips for your friends & family (and motorists) from the national Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center.
Oct 31 – Fun Bike Rodeo at Public Health Fair (& Bike Volunteers Needed!)
40 members from the medical field, human services, non-profit organizations and government agencies will focus on topics of personal health, physical fitness, nutrition and safety for all ages…includes children’s finger printing & ID’s. The Portland Bike Commuter Meetup will be there, organizing a fun bicycle skills course, bike safety checks, and bike/helmet inspections for all ages. Father Hayes Center, 673 Stevens Ave., 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. Free Admission.
Also, Green Streets volunteers are needed at this event! Jobs include: helmet fitters, bike evaluators, and bike course monitors. MECHANICS ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED! Organizers can teach you helmet fit and bike checking, if necessary. If you can come help with this event, please notify Meetup organizer, John Brooking at bike@mainebrook.com the hours you can be there and if you already have any of the skills mentioned or will need training. Or just feel free to show up and help anyway! (It’s Halloween, but it’s over by 2, plenty of time!)
Nov 3 – Vote Yes on Question 6
On November 3, Mainers will vote on a $55 million bond referendum for highway and bridge construction and maintenance. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s board of directors supports this request (ballot question 6) because cyclists benefit from many road and bridge improvements.
The reverse also is true. When bridges and roads fall into disrepair, then cycling conditions deteriorate and, in some cases, make travel impossible. That is the situation now on Memorial Bridge between Maine and New Hampshire. The bridge, which provides the only way for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the Piscataqua River between the two states, recently was closed for emergency repairs due to long-neglected maintenance. We cannot afford for that to happen elsewhere in the state. That is why the coalition board supports Question 6.
APPLY NOW – Nov 13 Deadline – $500 Mini-Grants from Healthy Casco Bay
Healthy Casco Bay is excited to announce the availability of mini-grants of up to $500 for initiatives that promote/support healthy living among people who live, work and play in the towns of Cumberland, Chebeague Island, Falmouth, Freeport, Gray, Long Island, New Gloucester, North Yarmouth, Pownal, and Yarmouth.
The goal of these funds is to promote/support community initiatives which use education, programming, policy and environmental change to nimprove public health – through better nutrition, decrease in tobacco use and substance abuse and increased physical activity – including promoting bicycling and walking. The Request for Applications is available for download at www.healthycascobay.org
RESPOND NOW – Nov 16 Deadline – Submit Bike Rack and Park & Ride Location Suggestions to GoMAINE – & Enter Raffle for $500 Savings Bond
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine and GO Maine are launching a new program to establish more bike racks and Park & Ride lots throughout Maine. Tell them your location suggestions, and you could win a $500 U.S. Savings bond. Go to GOMaine’s Web site to find out more and to fill out a brief survey with your suggestion. The contest and raffle closes on November 16.
Nov 17 – Public Meeting on Pownal Center Bridge
MaineDOT will hold a public meeting on November 17 at 6 p.m. in the Dewitt Room at Pownal Town Hall to discuss replacement of the Pownal Center Bridge. For more information, please contact Jim Wentworth.
Check Out Great New Back Cove Blog
If your commute takes you by Back Cove, check out a new blog devoted to news and feature stories about the cove: www.backcovemorning.blogspot.com. You’ll find a cove community bulletin board, wildlife updates, interviews with cove regulars and much more. Your contributions are welcome!
Weekly Bike Maintenance Classes from Gorham Bike & Back Bay Bicycle
Every Thursday there are bike maintenance & mechanic classes at Gorham Bike & Ski (flat tire workshop) and Back Bay Bicycle (flat tire workshop alternating with drive train maintenance). Check their sites for class time and other info.
Enter Now to Win Custom Built Bike! Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s 2009 Super Raffle
The winner will receive a handmade, custom Maine bicycle valued at more than $3,500. Additional information is available on their Web site http://www.bikemain e.org/superraffle.htm
AMTRAK Downeaster Specials
College 6Tix – Get smart this semester. Purchase a College 6TIX pass and get six one-way trips on the Amtrak Downeaster for just $76. With up to 50% off the regular fare, it’s a no brainier.
Early risers are rewarded on Saturdays and Sundays. Pay just $24.00 round-trip when traveling on train 690 and 695, 697, or 699. Tickets must be purchased at least three days in advance of travel. Reference promotion code v175. Blackout dates and restrictions may apply.
The Downeaster is currently offering 50% off the price of any Downeaster ticket for senior citizens (62+) and folks with disabilities. The discount can be used any day of the week and on any Downeaster train. To take advantage of this discount, travelers must use discount code V543 and must reserve their tickets at least three days in advance. Seniors will need to show proof of age; disabled folks will need to show a Medicare card or other proof of disability status. Disabled individuals can book tickets over the phone or at a staffed ticket window, due to a limitation in Amtrak’s web site - for contact and station information click here. All in all, this is a fabulous discount and a great way for seniors and disabled folks to get out, enjoy the summer, and leave the car at home!
This Fall – Don’t Forget the New Covered Bike Racks in Spring St. Garage!
Thanks to the hard work of and financing from the Portland Downtown District, new bike racks that hold 20 bikes have been added just inside the Spring Street garage at the entrance on Free Street in Portland. Spread the word – bikes parked there are out of the rain and in a safe location. An enormous plus for people who ride (or get stuck) in inclement weather.
Bring a U Car Vehicle to Munjoy Hill!
Car Sharing is a wonderful way to save money (get rid of your other car!) while having the convenience of a car when you need it – and you only pay for the time you’re actually using it. U Car Share (run by U Haul) pays EVERYTHING, including gas, maintenance, and insurance. Rate for a Chrysler PT Cruiser is $9.50 per hour, or $66 per day. It’s wonderful service! If you live on the East End in Portland get your membership application fee waived for a limited time. Log in at www.ucarshare.com to sign up anduse this promotional code: MUNJOYHILL. If enough East Enders join, the company will locate a car close by. For more information, contact Peter Alexander at 773-4606.
Planning to dress up for Halloween at your school or office? Show off your costume on your bus ride, bike ride, or walk through town! (Just don’t let any loose costume pieces get caught in your spokes.) If you aren’t dressing up, don’t forget to wear something green this Friday. And as always – please e-mail us photos of you (& any other folks!) getting around green at PortlandGreenStreets@yahoo.com! (Especially if you are commuting in costume!)
You really can get there from here. A new Regional Transit Map and Timetable, featuring public transportation options throughout the Greater Portland area, is now available at the METRO Pulse on Elm Street in Portland and from participating agencies. A PDF version is also located at: