VITAL COMMUNITIES
Upcoming Bike Workshops
Everyday Bicycling Basics: Fix-A-Flat & More — Monday, April 22, 2019 | 6:30-8:30 pm | Newton School | South Strafford, Vermont
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR A WORKSHOP.
Or Email Bethany@VitalCommunities.org to schedule an Everyday Bicycling Workshop in your town!
About the Workshops
Winter Warrior Bike Workshop Get the tips & tricks from an experienced year-round bike commuter! We’ll cover how to plan a winter commute, how to dress, snow and ice safety, and how to keep your bike clean. This workshop is held indoors; no need to bring your bike.
Everyday Bicycling Basics: Fix A Flat & More This easy welcoming workshop for beginners gives you the skills to manage common problems encountered on a bike ride. While learning how to change a tire, you’ll become familiar with brakes, chain/gears, and how to remove a wheel. Participants leave with free tire levers, chain lube, and patch kit!
Bring a bike to practice on, if you have one. Hands-on practice will be done in pairs, so there are always enough bikes to go around! Please note: many entry-level bikes aren’t designed for much adjustment and can be frustrating to work on. If you have questions about whether to bring your bike to this workshop, call 802.291.9100 x111 or e-mail us.
Everyday Bicycling Basics: Skills Refresher (for Adults & Mature Teens)
Haven’t been on a bike since you were 13? Come to this workshop to refresh your skills and learn:
– how to fit a bike and helmet
– what gear you need (and don’t need)
– how to “read” the street and ride safely
– how to do a “power start” and “controlled stop” and how to better handle your bike
– snacks provided! ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A WORKING BIKE AND A HELMET.
Everyday Bicycling Basics: On-Street Bike Skills (for Adults & Mature Teens) Designed to follow the “Skills Refresher” workshop. Build your skills & confidence for riding your bike on the road. We will review some skills in the parking lot and then head out for a narrated bike ride with periodic pull-offs to discuss conditions encountered and how best to respond. Snacks provided! ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A WORKING BIKE AND A HELMET.
Explore Biking or Walking to Work
Do you want to walk or bike to work but aren’t sure what trails and routes are available? Visit the Upper Valley Trails Alliance and click on Trail Finder to see detailed information on many Upper Valley trails that can be used for commuting!
The Upper Valley Loop Trail is a signed on-road bike route connecting Hanover, Lebanon, Hartford, and Norwich. Keep an eye out for UV Loop signs.
Can’t make the whole trip on bike or foot? Try a hybrid commute: bike to catch a carpool or bus and get some exercise on your commute.
Learn Bike Skills
Are you interested in biking to work but haven’t been on your bike in years and not sure where to start? Check our calendar or see below for Everyday Bicycling Workshops coming to your community in the warmer months. Workshops are free but registration is required.
Organize a group of eight to ten coworkers or friends and contact us to set up your own free Everyday Bicycling Workshop series to teach you the basics and get you comfortable on your bike again. Contact us to schedule a workshop. Read more about the program for workplaces on our blog.
“I LOVED our bike workshop with you yesterday. You were an amazing presenter, so easy going and funny, but also very helpful and informative. Thank you so much for taking the time to help our team get ready to launch our bike share program.”
– Laura Perez, Special Needs Support Center
“So far I have ridden the bus every work day since January 9 and I could not be happier. I walk 4-1/4 miles each way to the bus stop which adds up to 130+ miles walked so far. I’m getting in shape and feeling great. This is the best combination Health & Wellness / Community & Environmental Leadership benefit Hypertherm has done for me.”
HOW TO: ABC Quick Check
ABC Quick Check: A two-minute safety check to make sure your bike is road-worthy
A – AIR: Squeeze your tires. If they’re squishy, pump them up. Low air pressure makes you feel sluggish and tired while riding. Both under- and over-inflated tires can cause blowouts. See the fine print on the side of your tires for the correct psi.
B – BRAKES: Stand beside your bike and squeeze each brake lever as you push the bike forward. Does the front wheel stop when you apply the front brake? Does the rear wheel stop when you apply the rear brake? If so, GREAT!
Now spin each wheel. Do the brake pads rub against the rim? If not, GREAT! If so, you’re slowing down your ride and wearing out your brake pads, so it’s time for an adjustment.
C – CHAIN & CRANKS: Your chain should be fairly clean, free of rust, and move smoothly and quietly. Use WD-40 or special bike chain lubricant if needed.
Yank on each pedal. The crank – the piece that attaches the pedal to the bike – shouldn’t wiggle.
QUICK – Quick Releases: These are the small levers that tighten down your seat to the bike and your wheels to their hubs. The levers should run parallel to the bike (no pointing out to the sides!) and be tight enough that they leave a faint impression on your palm when you push them into place. Too loose and your seat will slide down as you ride and your wheels might come off!
CHECK – Take your bike for a 30 seconds spin to make sure everything sounds good and works well.
The ABC Quick Check should take 2 minutes, tops! If something is broken, get it fixed before you ride. There are lots of great how-to videos online or have a friend or nearby bike shop fix it.
Bike Safety Tips
Follow the Rules of the Road
- Ride with traffic and obey the same laws as motorists
- Use the rightmost lane that heads in the direction in which you are traveling
- Obey all traffic control devices, such as stop signs, lights, and lane markings
- Always look back and use hand and arm signals to indicate your intention to stop, merge, or turn
Be Visible
- Ride where drivers can see you
- Wear brightly colored clothing at all times
- At night, use a white front light and red rear light or reflector, and wear reflective tape or clothing
Be Predictable
- Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars
- Make your intentions clear to motorists and other road users
- Signal turns, and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes
- Make eye contact with motorists to let them know you are there
- Do not ride on the sidewalk
Think Ahead
- Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians, and other bicyclists will do next
- Be aware of traffic around you and be prepared to take evasive action
- Learn braking and turning techniques to avoid crashes
- Be extra alert at intersections
- Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars
- Look out for debris, potholes, and utility covers
- Cross railroad tracks at right angles
Wear a Helmet
- Make sure that the helmet fits on top of your head, not tipped back or forward
- After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, visible or not, replace it immediately
Ride Ready
- Be sure your tires have sufficient air, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly, and quick-release wheel levers are closed
- Carry repair and emergency supplies appropriate for your ride
Keep Your Cool
- Road rage benefits no one and always makes a bad situation worse
More Information
- League of American Bicyclists
- Vermont Bicycle Commuters Guide
- Article: New ‘Safe Passing’ Law To Help Bikers
- Bike-Walk Alliance of NH
- Bicycle Pedestiran Info Center – NHDOT
- Local Motion
- Safe Routes to School
- Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition
- New Hampshire Laws Pertaining to Bikes
- Upper Valley Women’s Cycling Club
Walk Safety Tips
- Use the sidewalk when possible, or walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
- Drivers may not be able to see you well. Wear bright-colored clothes and if it is dark or hard to see, carry flashlights or wear reflective gear.
- Watch for cars at every driveway and intersection on your walk to school. Look for drivers in parked cars. They may be getting ready to move.
Crossing the Street
1. Stop at the curb or edge of the street.
2. Look left, right, left and behind you and in front of you for traffic.
3. Wait until no traffic is coming and begin crossing.
4. Keep looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.
5. Walk, don’t run across the street.
6. Obey walk signals.
7. Don’t text or talk on the phone while crossing the street!
Get Around the Upper Valley
Y’all Curbed the Car!
On Friday, May 18, the Upper Valley celebrated its newest holiday: Curb the Car Day.
Riffing off National Bike to Work Day, Curb the Car Day embra [...]
Attention, Vermont Schools: It’s WAY TO GO! Time
This year's statewide Way to Go! School Challenge is September 25 - October 6. It’s a great way for schools to battle carbon pollution head-on!
[...]
Bike to Work Day at Dartmouth College
Bethany and I arrived bright and early at the Hop at Dartmouth College Friday, May 19, to greet employees and students who arrived that morning on two [...]
Dirty Hands, Clean Bikes
I had a lot of fun teaching a Basic Bike Maintenance workshop at the Upper Valley Haven on April 29, ably assisted by Lisa from the Haven!
A doze [...]
Spring Into Bike Riding Season…
...with practical skills training to get you riding more!
What is Everyday Bicycling?
It’s using your bike for those everyday trips that we all ma [...]
Survey Says: Parking and Transportation in White River Junction Are…
Thank you to the more than 500 downtown White River Junction residents, employees, business owners, and visitors who took our survey about parkin [...]
Everyday Bicycling Workshop is a Success
Last month, we led two successful Everyday Bicycling workshops at the Windsor Public Library in collaboration with Burlington-based Local Motion. [...]
New Study on Funding Local Transportation
Vital Communities is pleased to release a new study that examines an optional vehicle registration fee used by over a dozen New Hampshire municipaliti [...]
Office Bike Share
When Vital Communities staff expressed interest in cutting down on car trips to meetings, Transportation Program Manager Aaron Brown found a way to [...]
Gear Up for Everyday Bicycling
Do you want to bike more? Ready to take the next step, but not quite sure where to start? Vital Communities can help! In just one short hour, parti [...]
Vital Communities Program News
Apply for a Farm to School Mini-Grant!
We are excited to announce the 2019 mini-grant program from Vital Communities' Upper Valley Farm to School Network! Funding is available to both Vermont and New Hampshire schools. Start dreaming up your farm-to-school projects—we want ...more
Thinking Local First
Shop or Buy Local First is a common call to action. The threat to local businesses with competition from online commerce is real and growing, so it is important to patronize local businesses if we ...more
Flavors of the Valley - Call for Vendors!
Vend at Flavors of the Valley! Registration is open for the 18th annual Flavors of the Valley, the Upper Valley’s premier local food tasting expo. With 50+ vendors and more than 1000 attendees, Flavors is a valuable marketing opportunity for ...more
Flavors of the Valley 2019 - Call for Vendors!
Vend at Flavors of the Valley! Registration is open for the 18th annual Flavors of the Valley, the Upper Valley’s premier local food tasting expo. With 50+ vendors and more than 1000 attendees, Flavors is a valuable marketing opportunity for ...more
The Housing Shortage Affects All of Us
It is no secret that there is a shortage of homes to buy or rent in the Upper Valley. That shortage affects all of us. Read more in this Valley News op-ed from Vital Communities' Corporate ...more
Food Hub Forum for Farmers February 6!
Join Vital Communities and Food Connects Wednesday February 6 from 4-6 pm at Piecemeal Pie in White River Junction for a forum to learn about how you can expand your market access with a food hub. This forum is free ...more
Join Vital Communities at Northern Stage!
Looking for a fun way to spend a January evening? Join Vital Communities for a pre-show reception at Northern Stage on January 31 from 5:30 to 6:30pm in advance of Venus Rising. Local playwright Marisa ...more
Local First Members Give Back!
Locally owned businesses are rooted in the Upper Valley and donate time and money to the community every month of the year as they support nonprofits, schools, and communities. Keep your dollars where your heart and support ...more
Think Local First & SAVE this Season!
Local and independent businesses bring value to our communities in many ways: preserving community character, creating stable jobs, supporting area organizations and nonprofits, and strengthening our local economy by keeping our dollars in the Upper ...more
Seeking Bids from Solar Installers by Nov. 30
Vital Communities is teaming up with Kearsarge Climate Action to launch a Solarize Kearsarge campaign in spring 2019, following on the tails of the upcoming Weatherize Kearsarge campaign launching in January 2019. We are seeking proposals ...more
Thank you, Ben!
This summer we had the privilege of working with Ben Fletcher, pictured second from left. Ben brought an incredibly well suited array of skills to Vital Communities and was a boon to the Valley Quest ...more
Lebanon Area Businesses - Join us on Sept. 27
So many small businesses in the Upper Valley are burdened with high energy costs. And not enough time to do anything about it! We've got some good news for you. A group of Lebanon residents are ...more
Bird and Quest
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies lists 382 species of bird that occur in Vermont, whether year-long resident or migratory visitor. The VCE’s Vermont Atlas of Life citizen science operation has recorded sightings of 332 of ...more
Subbasin Spotlight!
This year's Aquatic Adventure Super Quest showcases the 5 subbasins that make up the Upper Connecticut River Valley, or, more fondly, the Upper Valley. A subbasin is a term used to describe a watershed within a ...more
A Lot Lighter with More Hands: Leadership Upper Valley
On the bright, sunny morning of June 13, Cobb Hill was waking up, and the soon-to-be graduating 2018 Leadership Upper Valley class was just arriving for their final meeting. Before the ceremony at Harpoon Brewery, ...more
Longevity & Commitment: Keynote Remarks from Heroes & Leaders 2018
Editor's Note: Many thanks to Kevin Peterson, Director of Economic Development for the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, who offered the keynote speech at our May 3 Heroes & Leaders celebration. Read his complete remarks ...more
Long-Standing Stewards: Heroes & Leaders 2018
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts a Heroes & Leaders celebration to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to the greater Upper Valley region. This year, Heroes & Leaders is ...more
Get Stoked on Automated Wood Heat!
Boiler on its last legs? Looking to opt out of fossil fuels? Come learn about today's self-stoking automated wood heat! Opt out of oil with delivery of local wood pellets and whole home wood heating ...more
Staff
Bethany Fleishman
Transportation Program Manager
Transportation
Transportation
— Bethany Fleishman, Transportation Program Manager
Bethany Fleishman was born at the old Mary Hitchcock hospital in Hanover, N.H., grew up in West Hartford, Vt., and now lives in Hartford Village, where she can see the White River and the trains from her window. She has a biology degree from St. Lawrence University and has worked in public health outreach, as a line cook in San Francisco, a pastry chef in Hanover, and as a member of the Town of Hartford Selectboard. She serves on the board of directors for both Advance Transit and Upper Valley CarShare and is a lifelong bike commuter.
Paige Heverly
Energy and Transportation Project Coordinator
Transportation, Energy
Transportation, Energy
— Paige Heverly, Energy and Transportation Project Coordinator
Paige Heverly joined Vital Communities in 2017 as the Energy and Transportation Project Coordinator. Hailing from the suburbs of Philadelphia, she moved to Vermont in 2011 and earned a joint BA in Renewable Energy and Ecological Design and Environmental Studies from Green Mountain College. After completing her Master of Energy Regulation and Law from Vermont Law School, Paige worked in energy efficiency consulting in Portland, Oregon. Her love of local food systems, the White River, and the Green Mountains brought her back to the Upper Valley to work on regional issues with localized solutions. Paige is passionate about closing ecological loops and treating waste as food. In her free time, she enjoys baking homemade English muffins, weeding her garden, and writing letters to her pen pals.