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The Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to advocate and educate on behalf of cycling and walking in our state and in the localities of Central Connecticut. Join the CCBA and support us in making our region a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly place. (Note: CCBA Board meetings for January and February have been re-scheduled - see below for details). |
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CCBA Legislative Reception at the Capitol - Mark Your Calendars! Feb 06
Please
join us for CCBA's 3rd annual Legislative Reception at the State
Capitol, Wednesday, February 10, 2:00 - 3:30. Mingle with other
bicycle/pedestrian advocates and legislators. We'll discuss our past
successes and future plans, while seeking support for additional
bike/ped-friendly legislation in 2010. We had success in the 2008 and
2009 legislative sessions - let's do it again in 2010.
We are
hoping for as many attendees as possible, so that our legislators and
the media will see how many constituents support these issues. Read details here.
Represent Connecticut at the LAB Bike Summit Feb 06
The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) will hold its 10th annual Bike Summit in Washington, DC March 9-11 2009. MaryEllen Thibodeau, Interim Executive Director of CCBA, attended last year's summit and is looking for some people to join her in representing Connecticut. To learn more about what you can do, read MaryEllen's invitation to attend the summit.
New England Ride Listing Feb 05
A centralized listing of rides throughout New England, with names, distances, starting location, cost, and sponsor can be found here. If you see any that were missed, please let us know ccba@wecyclect.org
Ice Bike 1 - Friday, February 26th Feb 04
Its nippy in the mornings and almost dark on the way home from work..... It is not too late to join the CCBA Ice Bike series and make sure you are all set with lights, spikes, ski goggles and whatever advice you may need from your fellow chilly weather commuters. There are fewer of us in the late fall and winter on the streets, so getting together is even more important! Meet us all at JoJo's on Pratt Street in Hartford to say hi to old friends, meet new ones and show Hartford that you can really bike all year round.... 7-9AM
Bicycle Friendly Community Symposium Jan 18
On January 12, the Capitol Region Council of Governments and the Central CT Bicycle
Alliance co-sponsored a presentation on Bicycle Friendly Communities at the Bushnell (pictured). The Symposium was a great success. Thank yous to Andy Clarke and all the community planners and cycling advocates that came to the meeting. And thanks to the Bushnell Theater and CRCOG ( Tom Mariarz and Sandy Fry) for their efforts.
Connecticut Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Releases Report Jan 14
One provision of the Complete Streets Legislation was the creation of the Connecticut Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (CPBAB). We are pleased to have two CCBA members on that Board, Deb Dauphnais who has been an active advocate and Charlie Beristain, CCBA Board member. The CPBAB issued it's first report to the Governor. We have posted both the Transmittal letter, and the report itself. For more information on the CT Complete Streets legislation and progress made, click here. To learn more about the Complete Streets movement visit the National Complete Streets Coalition Web Site.
1st Quarter Board meetings Jan 13
Our regularily scheduled board meetings (third Wednesday of the month) will not be held in January or February. The Board is working hard on developing a strategic plan for the organization and will be devoting that time (and lots more) toward the completion of this task
Alliance for Biking and Walking Awards CCBA $15,000 Matching Grant Nov 04
The Alliance for Biking and Walking, the North American coalition of over 150 grassroots biking and walking advocacy organizations, announced on November 3, 2009, that Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance (CCBA) was selected to receive a $15,000 matching grant. CCBA was one of only five organizations selected out of 76 that submitted grant proposals. These funds will help CCBA transform from a regional to a statewide advocacy organization for biking and walking, promote the implementation of the recently enacted Connecticut Complete Streets law, and broaden its bike education program. CCBA plans to raise the matching funds through a major fundraising campaign in early 2010. The funds awarded by the Alliance were provided through the generous support of SRAM, Planet Bike, Bikes Belong and 42BELOW.
CCBA Hires Interim Executive Director Nov 04
CCBA has hired MaryEllen Thibodeau as Interim Executive Director. MaryEllen currently serves as Secretary and member of the CCBA Board of Directors. She will serve as CCBA's first staff member as CCBA works to broaden and strengthen its role as a biking and walking advocacy group. MaryEllen, a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law, has over 20 years experience as a corporate lawyer and is an avid cyclist and walker. In 2006, she and her husband celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary by cycling 3850 miles across the United States (yes, they are still married). MaryEllen retired from the practice of law in 2008 and is thrilled to be able to work to promote biking and walking as an integral part of Connecticut's transportation system. You can reach her at methibodeau@connbike.org.
Please Support Us with Your Membership Oct 27
There's no such thing as a free ride! Behind our legislative efforts, bike everywhere, and bike education are a dedicated group of volunteers. If you're not yet a member, we need you to join now. Joining is quick, secure and easy. Please join today:
Cyclocross Event In Hartford Oct 24
Sunday's cyclocross event at Riverside Park in Hartford (Oct 25th) was a success. Great turnout, great weather.
click here for pics: cyclocross
Brendan Mahoney's first hand report here:
2010 Annual Dinner Oct 23
Looking for Volunteers. 2010 Annual Dinner Committee is being formed .. if you would like to be involved, email John Duval john(@newingtonbike.com Tentative date will be in the second half of February.
FVTC Announces Completion of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail Oct 11
The Farmington Valley Trails Council (FVTC) is pleased to announce that the final .37-mile gap in the northern section of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail is complete. The subcontractor, Galasso Materials, LLC will finish the top coat of asphalt today. FVTC president Bruce Donald stated: “After over fifteen years, with the help of dedicated volunteers, the staff and elected officials of not just Suffield, but all of our area towns, and both federal and local funding, we now have one of the finest continuous paved trail systems in the northeast.”
The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (formerly the Farmington Valley Greenway, and part of the East Coast Greenway system) now stretches over 21 continuous miles from Farmington to Suffield. Southwick, Massachusetts has over 4 miles currently paved from the Connecticut line north past Lake Congamond. It is part of the 84-mile route from New Haven to Northampton, MA.
How Active Transportation Can Transform a Community Sep 28
Recently, Parade magazine had an article about Columbia, Missouri and how investments in Active Transportation are transforming how people get around town. Columbia is one of the 4 pilot cities receiving federal funds for investments in non-motorized transportation. The 2010 Active Transportation Campaign, which is spearheaded by the Rails to Trails conservancy (http://www.railstotrails.org/ourWork/advocacy/activeTransportation/campaignForActiveTransportation/index.html), is working to bring this same kind of funding to many more communities in the country. CRCOG's Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan was developed to position our region to be eligible for this funding.
Read about Columbia and dream about a transformed Hartford region!
http://www.parade.com/news/2009/09/27-a-free-wheeling-city.html