The Simsbury Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet
Thurs., October 17, 2019, 10am Simsbury Public Library, Lower Level, Wagner Room. AGENDA
Open to the public. Join us!
Bike Safety Train-the-Trainer Workshop
On Thursday, September 26, 2019, the Simsbury Public Schools Physical Education Department hosted a “Train the Trainer” Workshop. This workshop provided Connecticut Educators with the resources, tools and skills they need to implement and teach a comprehensive bicycle education program in the schools. In attendance were educators from Simsbury, South Windsor, Tolland and Cheshire schools. Participants learned about safe cycling and participated in a group ride to implement their new skills. They practiced parking lot drills that are taught to students in the bicycle education program. During the afternoon portion, Amy Muska, Simsbury Physical Education Supervisor and Nichole Bailey-Gates, PE teacher at Central School shared how Simsbury Schools Bicycle Education program got started, how it has grown to what it is today, and resources that participants can use to get started within their districts.
The workshop was led by Tony and Laura Russotto, both League Cycling Instructors in the Farmington Valley. Tony is a bicycle advocate and has been a volunteer with Simsbury Free Bike and the Farmington Valley Trails Council for numerous years. Laura Russotto is an educator here in Simsbury and has brought Bike/Walk to School Day to Squadron Line. She also is a member of the Farmington Valley Trails Council, an organization working to educate and promote safe bicycling on the trails.
Provide Input on the
Parks and Open Space Survey
Simsbury is developing a Parks and Open Space Master Plan. The intent of this master plan is to identify Simsbury’s park, recreation and open space needs so the town can proactively plan for the future. Simsbury's trails (recreational shared-use, hiking, and off-road /mountain biking) and bike/ped recreational programming (events, classes, camps) will fall under this Master Plan. Please share your thoughts on the Parks and Open Space Master Plan survey. The survey deadline is Oct. 4 SURVEY
As part of the national Safe Routes to School initiative, Simsbury schools celebrated National Walk to School Day with Walk/Bike to School Day events at Latimer Lane (9/17), Tootin' Hills (10/1), and Squadron Line (10/7). Tootin' Hills School had about 30 riders in the rain, and Latimer Lane and Squadron Line Schools each had more than 100 students bike to school. Contact Debbie Thibodeau to learn how you or your child's school can get involved.
This is a great bike education course for riders of all levels. You will learn how to ride safely and legally on CT roadways, crash avoidance techniques, and more. Become a better bike rider. Ride safely & with more confidence!
ANNUAL MEETINGS
Friday, Nov. 8 - 14th Annual Dinner and Silent Auction, CCSU, New Britain, 5 - 9 PM.
The keynote speaker is Willie Weir, Seattle bicycle advocate, columnist for Adventure Cyclist magazine, and author.
Fri., Nov.15 - FVTC Annual Meeting, Avon Senior Center, Avon, 6:30 PM. The guest speaker is Marge Nichols, who will present her slide show Bicycling Across Cambodia.
Th., 10/17 – Motherload Documentary Screening - Take a journey through cargo bike history via a mother's quest to live by bike, instead of by car. Goodwin College, East Hartford, 6:30 PM.
Farmington Valley Youth Cycling is registration riders, ages 9-18, for the 2019 Cyclocross Season. No prior experience is necessary. Contact fvyouthcycling@gmail.com to learn more about the team or the CCAP.
Have something to share with the Simsbury.bike community? Want to see a topic in a future issue? Send your photos, content and ideas to challenge@simsbury.bike.
Volunteers Needed!
Please consider helping us with our bike share, advocacy work, communications, or events. We have volunteer opportunities of all shapes and sizes. For more information contact challenge@simsbury.bike.
