Fall 2010 - The Bicycle Coalition of Maine

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THE VOICE OF BICYCLISTS IN MAINE
FALL 2010
Coalition’s New Look Reaches
Out to All Maine Cyclists
!
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Non-Profit Org
US Postage
PAID
Augusta ME
Permit #80
by Allison Vogt Executive Director
P.O. Box 5275
Augusta Maine 04332-5275
Welcome to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s new look!
As many of you know, the coalition’s board of directors approved a five-year strategic plan last summer.
Since then, we’ve reported in “Maine Cyclist” on our expanding education programs, plans to improve our
advocacy for bicycle infrastructure and our new Community Spokes advocacy training. Another important
goal, one that underlies the coalition’s entire reason for being, is to expand and increase our membership.
no matter what you ride
no matter where you ride
no matter when you ride
no matter why you ride
no matter how fast you ride
ride with us
To truly make Maine a better place to bicycle, the coalition needs to attract all those who ride bicycles - no matter what kind of bike or when, where or why they ride.
Our political muscle in the state is directly related to the
depth, breadth and size of our community of members.
We want our coalition to include all Maine people who
ride bicycles. As our new membership brochure says, “If
you ride in Maine, Ride with Us.”
Like any other business or organization, the coalition
can benefit from marketing tools that aid our efforts to
broaden and grow our membership. After lots of serious thought and work by the coalition’s board, we’ve
chosen to change our logo and brand. The new look
will be used in all of our printed and online communications, including safety and membership material
that will be released during the fall and winter.
I hope you enjoy the new look. The logo and related
materials were designed by coalition member Jodie
Lapchick of Lapchick & Co., a firm that specializes in branding for a cause.
To reach the goals outlined in our strategic plan, we need to recruit parents, teachers, bike commuters,
returning adult cyclists, racers, community-based advocates and more. Our membership needs to represent
a broad range of interests, types of cyclists, age ranges and a gender balance. A new look and consistent
brand will improve our ability to communicate using the Internet, Facebook and other technology that
wasn’t even dreamed out about when our original look was conceived.
Although our publications and materials have a new look, some things will never change. We are the voice
of Maine cyclists working to make Maine a better place to bicycle. We are grateful to our members and
volunteers for our successes to date and we look forward to serving you and bicyclists throughout Maine in
the years to come.
www.BikeMaine.org
Wearing a helmet
Maine law requires all bicyclists under
16 years
old to wear a helmet. For bicyclist
s of all ages, a properly-fitted
helmet can be your best protecti
on against head injury in the event
of a fall or accident. Wearing a helmet
makes sense in all conditions.
Buying a helmetu Select a style and
size that is comfortable for
you. All new helmets with a ‘CPSC’
sticker have been tested
to meet government crash standard
s and will provide
comparable protection, regardle
ss of cost.
Damage to a helmet after a crash or
fall isn’t always easy to spot, so replace
a helmet after any significant impact,
even if it appears OK. It is also
generally recommended that a helmet
be replaced after2075623
years,
4511even if it
has remained crash-free. P.O. Box 5275
choo
sing
the
u
helmet
Augusta Maine 04332
Fitting your helmet
right
[email protected]
Many children’s helmets can be
adjusted with sizing pads or rings
for several years of use as your child
grows. It’s important to make sure
your helmet fits properly. In a fall, a
helmet that fits poorly will provide
far less protection against injury than
one that fits securely. Your helmet
should fit snug and stay in place if
you
shake your head from side to side.
Use sizing pads or universal ring (inside
the helmet) to adjust. If the helmet
can’t be adjusted for a firm
fit, do not wear it!
u
Tips for staying safe
and comfortable
Your helmet should sit level and low
on your forehead — about the width
of two fingers above your eyebrow
s.
Center the buckle under your
chin. Tighten the chin strap as
necessary to achieve a comfortable,
secure fit.
Adjust side straps so they form a V-shape
on each side, below and just in
front of your ears. Most adjustments
to the side straps can be
made easily by taking the helmet
off first.
When adjusted, do the Eyes, Ears
and Mouth Test to check for a
good fit :
!
CJLFNBJOF/PSH
EYES - You should see the very edge
of your helmet when you look up
past your eyebrows.
Developed with support from
EARS - The straps should meet right
under your ear lobes to form a Y.
MOUTH - The strap should be loose
enough so you can breathe and insert
a finger between the buckle and your
skin, but tight enough that if you
drop your jaw (as in a yawn) you can
feel the helmet pull down on the top
of your head.
in this issue
THE RIDE
Biking through Blueberry Land
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2
Students Rebuild Bikes in Sanford
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6
Local Advocates
........................................................................................................................
8
Skiing Program Supports Disabled Cyclists
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Scenes from Our Summer Rides
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Inland Hospital Expands Trail Network
9
10
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12
. .................................................................................
11
COMPONENTS
Volunteer Opportunities
Spotlight on Gorham Bike and Ski
. ............................................
13
Ask the Experts
.....................................................................................................................
14
Yellow Jersey Club
. ........................................................................................................
19
Biking through Blueberry Land
by Shoshana Hoose Communications Coordinator
Washington County is my favorite place to bicycle in Maine, so I was eager to try out
the new Down East Sunrise Trail. Completed this fall, Maine’s longest rail trail extends
85 miles from Washington Junction, east of Ellsworth, to Ayers Junction, just south of
Calais and the Canadian border. My friend Gretchen Greenberg and I spent two days on
the trail in late July, a trip that coincided perfectly with the wild blueberry harvest.
Normally road riders, we took hybrids for this adventure. The trail has a crushed rock
surface with some loose stones, so hybrids or mountain bikes are highly recommended. We made sure to carry extra tubes and tools because there are no bike shops north
of Ellsworth. We picked up a trail map at the Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
on Route 1 in Machias. Then, we crossed the road to begin our ride by Station 98, a
historic railroad station that is being restored.
Heading north, the trail follows a beautiful stretch of the Machias River for a few
miles. We biked past red-tinged marsh grass, goldenrod, orange hawkweed and
ripening beach plums. A flock of Canadian geese swam in a cove as two ospreys soared
overhead.
In East Machias, we found a shady spot by the water for a picnic. Hopefully, the trail
eventually will add some picnic tables, benches and outhouses. I also hope someone
writes a guidebook describing the area’s vegetation, wildlife and history; that would
enrich the experience of visiting the trail.
Back on our bicycles, we passed a blueberry processing plant and a field where people
were raking berries. Farther on, we came to our best find of the day: blueberry bushes
right by the trail laden with ripe, sun-warmed berries. I hope we weren’t infringing on
private property by helping ourselves; they were too delicious to resist.
The trail is 10 to 12 feet wide, flat (at least where we biked) and well marked, with
mileage signs and place names for rivers and brooks. Signs also point out nearby
services, which are few and far between. Both days, we rode for two hours without
seeing a soul.
The old telegraph lines following our route also intrigued us.
After 17 miles of bouncing along, we headed back to Machias. Approaching town
in the late afternoon, we passed several people walking and jogging along the trail.
Local residents clearly are taking advantage of this great new resource.
We ate dinner at Helen’s Restaurant, a Machias institution, enjoying a delicious
slice of blueberry pie. The next morning, fortified by blueberry French toast with
blueberry syrup, we drove to a parking lot at the trailhead in Ayers Junction to finish
riding the 30-mile stretch north of Machias.
We stopped to chat with a couple cycling in the other direction. Richard and Nancy
McPhee live in nearby Baileyville. As a snowmobiler, Nancy was involved in the initial
effort 20 years ago to create a trail in the Calais Branch of the Maine Central Railroad.
“We went to all kinds of meetings from Ellsworth to Calais to Machias,” she recalled.
At the time, the trail faced stiff opposition from those hoping that rail service would
return. But cyclists, pedestrians, snowmobilers and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) users all
came together to push for the trail. McPhee credits Sally Jacobs, founding president
of the Sunrise Trail Coalition, with working tirelessly to win support for the project.
Having motorized recreational vehicles share the trail with cyclists, walkers,
horseback riders and cross-country skiers creates the potential for safety problems
and unpleasant conditions. But several trail users told me that a respectful attitude
prevails, and that is what we observed. In our two days, we passed a golf cart, a
moped and six ATVs as well as eight pedestrians, four joggers and three cyclists; all of
the vehicles slowed down and made room for us to pass.
Chipmunks skittered across the trail, and frogs croaked in the marshes. The air carried
the scent of pine needles. Near a bend in the trail, a moose emerged from the woods
and gazed at us for a few moments.
That’s part of the trail’s appeal - it lets you explore a really remote area. Monarch
butterflies flitted in front of us. We stopped to look at tree limbs gnawed by
beavers. Several signs alerted us to turtle breeding habitat. Charlie Corliss, who
works for the Maine Department of Conservation as the trail manager, said that
snapping turtles and some painted turtles nest in the boggy areas along the trail.
Bicycle Coalition of Maine members
Gretchen Greenberg and Shoshana
Hoose begin their ride on the Down East
Sunrise Trail in Machias.
PAGE 2
www.BikeMaine.org
At the end of our ride, we stopped at
the Blue Bird Ranch Family Restaurant in Machias for a heavenly slice
of blueberry pie topped by blueberry ice cream. We gave thanks to
those who worked for more than
two decades to create the
Down East Sunrise Trail, and
we vowed to return to ride
the rest of the way.
Fall 2010
Practical Tips for Biking on the
Down East Sunrise Trail
The closest full-service bike shops to the trail are in Ellsworth. Coffin’s True
Value Hardware on Route 1 in Machias stocks some tubes, tires, cables and
other bike parts.
Sunrise Canoe and Kayak (www.sunrisecanoeandkayak.com) in Machias rents mountain bikes and
provides a transport service for people who want to
bike one way on the trail and get picked up.
Cobscook Bay State Park in Edmunds Township is near
the north end of the trail. The park has a campground
with hot showers. For other accommodation options,
contact the Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
(www.machiaschamber.org), the Cobscook Bay Area
Chamber of Commerce (www.cobscookbay.com) or
the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce (www.
ellsworthchamber.org).
photos by Shoshana Hoose
For updated trail information and maps, visit the Sunrise Trail Coalition’s Web site: www.sunrisetrail.org.
Richard and Nancy McPhee of Baileyville
enjoy a morning of bicycling on the
Down East Sunrise Trail.
Advocates Work Two Decades to Win Support for New Trail
The idea for the trail emerged in the late 1980s, after Maine purchased the Calais
Branch of the Maine Central Railroad.
“We said, ‘OK, now we can have our trail,’” recalled Sally Jacobs, a retired University
of Maine biochemistry professor and longtime Bicycle Coalition of Maine member
from Orono. Jacobs biked each summer with a group of friends on trails in Canada or
Europe. They started sending postcards to Maine’s governor from their travels abroad,
saying, “We sure wish we could spend our money in Maine instead.”
Snowmobilers also were lobbying for use of the railroad line. But railroad supporters wanted to keep the line intact in the hope that passenger and/or freight service
would return.
In 1991, MaineDOT announced that it would rip up and sell the tracks on the Calais
Branch to raise money for railroad projects elsewhere in Maine. Trail advocates
strongly objected, insisting that the funds be funneled to the Down East region
instead, and they eventually prevailed.
Over the next several years, bicyclists and pedestrians joined forces with snowmobilers and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) users to continue their push for a multi-use, recreFall 2010
ational trail in the rail bed.
They sought and won support from every town along
the trail as well as regional
planning and economic
development organizations.
A major turning point came
in 1996, when the East Coast
Greenway Alliance decided
to include the proposed
trail as part of its route from
Maine to Florida.
photo by Sue Ellen Bordwell
The completion of the Down East Sunrise Trail marks a major victory for bicyclists and
other trail advocates who worked for more than two decades on the project. They
prevailed by creating a diverse coalition of trail users, winning support from neighboring towns, making some compromises along the way and selling the project to political leaders as an economic development boon for one of Maine’s poorest regions.
Sally Jacobs officially opened the Down East Sunrise
Trail at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in September as
Sen. Dennis Damon (D-Trenton), MaineDOT Commissioner David Cole and Maine Department of Conservation Commissioner Eliza Townsend looked on.
After lobbying three Maine
governors, trail advocates
won the support of Gov. John Baldacci in 2005. One compromise was the decision to
keep railroad tracks in place from Ayers Junction to Calais and from Ellsworth to Brewer.
MaineDOT worked with the Maine Department of Conservation to build the trail. The
sale of the steel rails and ties covered construction costs.
The Sunrise Trail Coalition is helping to promote the completed trail. The all-volunteer
coalition manages the trail’s Web site: www.sunrisetrail.org. Coalition members worked
with MaineDOT to produce a trail brochure and they are developing kiosks with trail
information.
www.BikeMaine.org
PAGE 3
From the President
Board of Directors
Bicycle Coalition Works with Clubs to
Address Common Challenges
What an amazing season for bicycling! The gorgeous weather was a real boon
for cycling, resulting in more bicyclists in Maine riding more miles. We even had
the chance to share some of our state’s most beautiful trails with President Barack
Obama and his family. They spent the first afternoon of their July vacation exploring Acadia National Park on bicycle.
My personal highlight for the 2010 bicycling season has been participating in
the new Portland Women’s Velo Club. Started last fall by the Portland bike shop,
Cyclemania, the club now has 53 paying members and an e-mail list of more than 100 women. The club offers a
Monday night “no drop” (i.e. no one left behind) ride into Falmouth and Cumberland and a Saturday “no stop” ride into
Cape Elizabeth.
Thanks to the team’s leaders, the club is extremely inclusive and supportive. Having rarely ridden in a pack before
joining, I’ve found the dynamics of group riding to be challenging but exciting. Team members are extremely patient
in teaching the rules. The club truly has enriched my cycling. I’ve worked harder than usual on the rides, so I am in
better bicycling shape than I’ve been in a while. I’ve made new friends - and I’ve found that riding in a group is so
much fun!
President
Nancy Grant, Portland
Past President
John Balicki, Brunswick
Treasurer
John Wright, Woolrich
Secretary
Mark Ishkanian, Readfield
David Auclair, Winthrop
John Brooking, Westbrook
Richard Cleary, Houlton
Phil Coffin, Carrabassett Valley
Charley LaFlamme, Founder, Moody
Dana McEwan, Portland
Laurie McReel, Oakland
Julie Osgood, Portland
Dean Read, Bar Harbor
Fred Robie, Freeport
Larry Rubinstein, Scarborough
Jane Self, Camden
Nancy Stowell White, Hanover
Advisory Board
Kathryn Buxton
Buxton Communications
Gregg Collins
SW Collins Company
Dana Connors
Maine Chamber and Business Alliance
While the bike club scene is new for me, many of you have been club riders for years. In fact, there are at least 16
clubs all over the state. (You can find a list at www.bikemaine.org/partners/bike-club-members.) The clubs provide
an easy way to find new bicycling friends, a variety of rides of various lengths and paces and a welcoming way for new
cyclists to try out the sport.
J. Scott Davis
But clubs all face a common set of challenges and issues, primarily with motor vehicles and law enforcement. My club
is very careful and mindful of sharing the road with cars; yet, we were pulled over by a Falmouth police officer in midJuly. The officer did not know Maine bicycling laws and he seemed to be waiting to snag cyclists.
The silver lining of the incident was that it prompted a meeting of members from the various Portland bike clubs and
the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s education director, Jim Tasse. Going forward, the coalition plans to bring together
clubs from all over the state so that we can develop guides for bike clubs, including best practices for group rides, how
to work with local law enforcement and how to start a new club. We also will ramp up the Bicycle Coalition’s “Police
Bicycle Safety and the Law” training program to ensure that law enforcement officers are informed about bicycling
laws and the realities of riding on two wheels.
Board of Overseers
Greg Dore
Skowhegan Road Commission
Jill Goldthwait
Jackson Lab
Ed Miller
American Lung Association of Maine
John Melrose
Maine Tomorrow
Michael Povich
District Attorney
Vaughn Stinson
Maine Tourism Association
Will Thomas
Tri-Maine Productions
Eliza Townsend
Maine Department of Conservation
Paul Violette
Maine Turnpike Authority
Eric Weinrich, Yarmouth
Portland Pirates
If you’re interested in joining the Bicycle Coalition’s work to support bike clubs, let us know.
Ellen Wells
As always, thanks for your support!
Staff
Inland Hospital, Waterville
Allison Vogt
Executive Director
[email protected]
Jim Tasse
Education Director
[email protected]
Shoshana Hoose
Maine Cyclist is published by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, a nonprofit organization working since 1992 to make Maine a better place to
bicycle. The coalition advocates for Maine cyclists at the Legislature and in Washington, D.C., teaches bicycle safety to thousands of Maine
schoolchildren each year, partners with state agencies on a Share the Road media campaign and serves as a resource on local bicycling issues.
Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
Darcy Whittemore
Central Maine Safe Routes Coordinator
[email protected]
Maine Cyclist is printed four times a year. Submissions of writing or artwork are encouraged and should be sent to the coalition at
PO Box 5275, Augusta, Maine 04332 or emailed to [email protected].
Sarah Cushman
The coalition reserves the right to edit to fit budget and space requirements.
Cecelia Garton
Newsletter Team: Shoshana Hoose, Editor and Melissa Arndt, Layout/Design
PAGE 4
www.BikeMaine.org
Southern Maine Safe Routes Coordinator
[email protected]
Office Manager
[email protected]
Fall 2010
Parent Surveys Help Build Safe Routes
to School Programs
by Darcy Whittemore and Sarah Cushman Safe Routes to School Encouragement Coordinators
The Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford began its bike to school program in 2008
by gathering a group of students - known as the Youth Council - and conducting a
very valuable parent survey.
Parents raised some specific concerns such as the safety of biking through a particular intersection, said Andy Grief, the center’s executive director. “It helped the Youth
Council know where we needed to concentrate our efforts,” he said. The center used
the feedback to change the program by leading rides on a calmer, more winding
route through the surrounding neighborhood.
The National Center for Safe Routes to School created the parent survey to help
start local walk and bike to school programs and to shape the direction of existing
programs. The two-page survey gathers information about approximate locations
where students live, parents’ feelings about their children walking and biking
to school and barriers that parents see as inhibiting walking and biking for kids.
Schools and communities can use parent surveys to get the conversation started
about walking and biking to school, to help direct a program’s efforts most efficiently
and to assist with sustaining a program over the long haul.
Brunswick schools have used parent surveys to build on their existing walk and
bike to school efforts. The town’s elementary schools held their first walk and bike
to school day in October 2008. Due to great enthusiasm and interest among both
children and adults, the school district began monthly events the next spring that
continue today.
The Brunswick Safe Routes to School team decided to administer the National Center’s parent survey last year in order to gain insight into parents’ attitudes towards
walking and biking to school.
“We knew the survey would provide us with local data that people would pay attention to, and that the data could illustrate what we needed to take action on to get
more kids walking and biking to school safely,” explained Amanda Hopkins, program
director of Access Health and a local partner on walk and bike to school activities.
Parent surveys also were conducted at Lyseth Elementary School and Lyman Moore
Middle School in Portland this fall. “We were required by the school district to have
the survey translated into six languages in addition to English,” said Sarah Cushman,
Safe Routes to School encouragement coordinator for the southern Maine region.
“That helped boost the information we were able to gather and also encouraged
new conversations about walking and biking across local and international cultures.”
Brunswick’s Safe Routes to School team conducted a parent survey to get baseline data and
feedback about walking and biking to school.
Schools and communities can use parent surveys to get the
conversation started about walking and biking to school,
to help direct a program’s efforts most efficiently and to
assist with sustaining a program over the long haul.
instrumental in administering the survey; they knew the normal chain of command
and avenues of communication at each of the elementary schools.
Information about the survey was sent out through the schools’ newsletters and
parents were given about 10 days to respond. A walk and bike to school event and
bicycle helmet fitting preceded the survey, so many parents already were aware of
the program.
The Brunswick survey identified four major areas of concern: traffic speed, intersections and crossing safety, sidewalks or paths and crossing guards. The survey data
is being used to educate the community, to promote improvements and to obtain
grant funding.
The Brunswick Safe Routes to School team presented survey findings to the local
school board and the Brunswick Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee. (The survey report
may be found at www.accesshealthme.org/pictures/coffin.pdf.) The team also
contacted the town to advocate for completion of a Safe Routes sidewalk project.
Some schools have parents do the survey online. Other schools use paper surveys
that are mailed to the National Center for tabulation of results and a finished report
- all at no cost to the school. Schools across the country have found creative ways to
guarantee a good return rate on surveys, such as raffling off a handful of grocery gift
cards to participating parents or rewarding the classroom with the highest survey
return rate by organizing a fun activity.
“It has helped open more dialogue about walking and biking between parents,
students and school staff, and also in the wider community,” said Pat McCabe, the
physical education teacher at Longfellow and Coffin Schools and another organizer
of walk and bike to school days. The survey also provided baseline data about walking and biking to school in Brunswick. “We can re-evaluate down the road and really
chart our progress,” McCabe said.
“In Brunswick, we had a phenomenal 20 percent return rate!” Hopkins said. She
credits that success largely to the town’s Safe Routes to School team that includes
teachers and parents. Two Brunswick physical education teachers on the team were
For more information about conducting parent surveys in your community and other
Safe Routes to School strategies, please contact the Safe Routes Team at saferoutes@
bikemaine.org or 623-4511.
Fall 2010
www.BikeMaine.org
PAGE 5
photos by Shoshana Hoose
Kyla Bragg and Derek Camire learned how to rebuild bicycles last summer at the Nasson Community Bicycle Center in Springvale.
“I’m the type of girl who likes getting her hands dirty and doing stuff.”
Kyla Bragg, Sanford 7th Grader
New Program Trains Sanford Students
to Rebuild Bikes
Maryalice Walker discovered bicycling as a middle school student, and it changed
her life. “It was my first taste of independence,” she says. “I couldn’t drive a car,
but I could drive my bike anywhere.” Commuting by bike kept her fit, cleared her
mind and helped her focus when she arrived at school. At age 17, she joined a
group of teens on a bike ride across the U.S.
Walker, now 29, shared her love of bicycling with middle school students last
summer by starting a recycle-a-bike program at the Nasson Community Center
in Springvale. Students rebuilt 21 bikes that were donated to area residents.
The program proved so successful that the Sanford school department plans to
continue it throughout the year.
The Nasson Community Bicycle Center came about through a lucky convergence
of events.
Walker began work in May as a coordinator in the federally funded Learn and
Serve America Summer of Service program, run by the Sanford schools. A bat
biologist by training, she expected to oversee students in grades six through nine
working on environmental projects. But then she found out that the Sanford
Police Department had collected about 30 lost or stolen bicycles.
At Walker’s request, the police department agreed to donate the bikes for use by
the students. Soon, lots of other pieces fell into place.
The Nasson Community Center provided a basement space for a bike shop. Lowe’s
of Sanford donated lumber for tool benches. Cyclemania, a Portland bike shop,
gave the program some cables and helped with the purchase of tools and a repair
stand. The Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford advised Walker about how to
plan the program. Goodrich’s Bicycle Shop of Sanford, Crum Cycles of Springvale
and individuals donated additional bikes.
PAGE 6
Students in Sanford’s Summer of Service program could choose to spend a week or
more on a variety of activities, including rebuilding bikes, tending community gardens
and maintaining local trails. On any given day, between four and 10 young people
showed up at the bike shop.
Kyla Bragg, a seventh grader, was one of them. “I’m the type of girl who likes getting
her hands dirty and doing stuff,” she said. “This is really cool.”
The students built racks to hang bicycles in the basement workshop, and they made
tool benches to use when rebuilding the bikes. Kyla and the other students checked
out each of the 43 donated bikes to identify parts needing repairs. They learned how to
change tires, fix bike cables, replace brake pads and do other repairs.
The students learned about bicycle safety from Brian Danz, a mentor in the Sanford
bicycle program. Trained by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine as a bicycle safety educator,
Danz helped the students fit their helmets properly, taught them rules of the road and
led them on group rides.
At summer’s end, the bicycle program provided rebuilt bikes free to young people and
adults from Sanford, Springvale and Acton. In return for a bike, the recipients committed themselves to volunteer in the community. “Now that names and faces are being
connected to the bikes,” said Walker, “the kids have really started to understand what
their hard work means to others.”
Summer of Service ended in late August, but Sanford High School has taken on the
recycle-a-bike project as part of its Leadership and Resiliency Program. Amy Sewick,
the program’s coordinator, said she hopes to train high school students in bike repair
and then put them to work fixing bikes every week at the Nasson Community Center.
To find out more about the Nasson Community Bicycle Center, please visit www.sanfordlearnandserve.com or e-mail Amy Sewick at [email protected].
www.BikeMaine.org
Fall 2010
Portland Hires Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator
Portland has become the first community in Maine to hire a bicycle-pedestrian program
coordinator. Bruce Hyman began work in June as part of an obesity prevention project
funded with federal stimulus money.
Hyman brings nearly two decades of experience working on bicycle and pedestrian
projects as a transportation and community planner. He helped write greater Portland’s
original bike-pedestrian plan in the mid-1990s and he updated the plan last year for the
Bruce Hyman
was hired in
June as Portland’s bicyclepedestrian
program
coordinator.
Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS). He also served as project
manager on a 2001 engineering feasibility study for the Eastern Trail from Kittery to
South Portland. Hyman commutes to work on bike a few times a week, so he has firsthand knowledge of local roads and trails from a cyclist’s perspective.
Hyman will help craft policies that encourage walking and biking in Portland. He also
will coordinate infrastructure improvements such as more bike lanes and more bicycle
parking in Maine’s largest city. The federal grant funds his job for 21 months.
Portland is one of a growing number of cities nationwide that have added bicycle and
pedestrian staff members - and the positions are showing results, according to the Alliance for Bicycling & Walking. A recent Alliance survey of the 50 largest U.S. cities found
that those with bicycle and pedestrian staffs had a higher average percentage of bike
commuters, as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. As
the size of a city’s bike-pedestrian staff increased, so did bike commuting levels.
Last year, Portland received an honorable mention in the League of American Bicyclists’
Bicycle Friendly Community ranking. The League recommended that the city consider
hiring a bicycle-pedestrian coordinator.
The position was created as part of a state initiative to prevent obesity by increasing
physical activity and improving nutrition. The federal Communities Putting Prevention
to Work program awarded Maine $4.28 million for the initiative. The Maine Center
for Disease Control and Prevention is working with Healthy Portland, a program of
Fall 2010
www.BikeMaine.org
Portland’s Health and Human Services Department, and the Healthy Maine
Partnership in the Lakes Region on the initiative.
One of Hyman’s main tasks will be to help Portland develop a Complete
Streets policy. Such a policy ensures that roads are designed and built for all
users, including bicyclists, buses, wheelchair users and pedestrians of all ages
and abilities as well as motorists.
His other assignments include:
• Making an inventory of the city’s bicycle parking and a priority list for
adding more parking. The grant provides $20,000 to buy and install
bike racks.
• Adding at least four miles of bicycle lanes and shared lanes to the
city’s 14-mile bicycling network. The grant has $60,000 for these
improvements.
• Updating the signs that mark the city’s bicycle routes so that they are
easier to use. That might include adding destination information and
distances. The grant includes $10,000 for this project.
• Coordinating pedestrian improvements such as filling gaps in the
sidewalk network and making crossings of busy streets safer.
• Tracking how many people now bike and walk in Portland, and how
that changes over time.
Bicycle Coalition
of Maine Receives
$18,000 Grant
The Alliance for Biking & Walking in Washington, D.C. has awarded
an $18,000 grant to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for its Community Spokes Program. The program will recruit and train rural
citizen-advocates to work for local improvements in bicycle and
pedestrian infrastructure as well as state policies that encourage
bicycling and walking.
“To successfully engage the many villages and small towns in
Maine, we need trained advocates who are rooted in their own
communities,” said Allison Vogt, the Bicycle Coalition’s executive
director. “By increasing our grassroots muscle in local communities,
we also will have a bigger impact on state policies.”
The Alliance, a coalition of more than 160 grassroots biking and
walking advocacy organizations in North America, awarded four
grants to projects throughout the United States. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine project will serve as a model for rural communities
that have challenges with capacity, funding and infrastructure for
bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
PAGE 7
Spotlight on Local Advocates:
Yarmouth Committee Promotes Bicycling and Walking
mention in “USA Today.” The committee plans to offer valet bike parking again at
next year’s festival.
Committees in several Maine communities are working to improve biking and walking
on local roads. The committees can have a big impact by advocating for paved shoulders, trails, sidewalks, road sweeping and other improvements. This is one in a series of
“Maine Cyclist” profiles of local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups.
The committee’s other achievements include making an inventory of existing
walking and biking routes in Yarmouth and checking them for safety and comfort,
creating several walking and biking maps for the town
that will be posted on Yarmouth’s municipal Web site,
holding bike safety rodeos and building a trail to connect
town ball fields with nearby neighborhoods.
History: Several Yarmouth town employees and volunteers attended the 2009 Active Communities Conference
in Freeport. They returned home energized to improve
bicycling and walking opportunities in their town and
funneled their enthusiasm into forming the Yarmouth
Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee.
Current and future projects: Developing mountain
bike trails in town, installing more bike racks throughout
Yarmouth and working more closely with the Volkssport
Association, a walking club with many members in
Yarmouth.
Membership: Any interested resident may join. During the past year, more than two dozen people have
participated in the committee’s activities. A member
of the Yarmouth Town Council serves as a liaison to the
committee.
Major achievements: The committee partnered with
the Bicycle Coalition of Maine to provide free valet bicycle
parking at the 2010 Yarmouth Clam Festival. Nearly 400
people used the service, and it attracted lots of publicity,
including a feature story on WMTW (Channel 8) and
Nearly 400 people used the valet bike parking service at
the 2010 Yarmouth Clam Festival.
Lessons learned: Much can be achieved by collaborating with town officials and volunteers. “Our goal is to
reach beyond the cycling and walking communities to
connect and partner with the Recreation Committee,
School Committee” and other town committees, said
Sue Ellen Bordwell, a member of the Yarmouth Bicycle/
Pedestrian Committee.
Welcome to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s New Members
We welcome these new household members joining from early May through August. We also have 210 new trial members who participated in our summer events or completed a bicycle educator training.
Carey Huggins Westport Island
Paul Jacques Windham
Stephen Ebersole Auburn
Peter Southam Bethel
Karen Vellekamp Stow
Sharon Conover Oakland
Mimi Rigassio Rockland
Bill McQuaid Brunswick
Mark Rolerson Casco
Anita Brosius-Scott Camden
David Rotford Mexico
Wes Rothermel Belfast
Aileen Kennedy Farmington
Lise Thibeault Lewiston
Jennifer McConnell Winthrop
Rose Cleary Portland
Cynthia Dechenes Brunswick
Bob Boudewijn Portland
Roger Lee Belfast
Gary Stern Portland
Meg Albright South Freeport
Lee Ann Smith Palermo
Laura Lapierre Windham
Tim Mclain Portland
Alexander Jaegerman Portland
David Critchfield South Portland
PAGE 8
John Likins Waterville
Ellen Peters New Gloucester
Maryanne Strand Yarmouth
Emily Lepage Wolfeboro Falls NH
Michael Montgomery Vienna
Judith Hotchkiss Deer Isle
Blaise Masse Lebanon
Ali Khavari Brewer
Abby Weissman Stowe VT
David Waggoner & Deann Marsh Gorham
Marcus Payne Portland
Suzanne Brink Cumberland
Shirley Kalloch South Portland
Jill Norton Lewiston
Andrew Abrams & Priya Natarajan Portland
Ester Franklin Portland
Cecily Rich Yarmouth
Roderick Hanson Saco
Nicholas McKenney Gorham
Martha Riehle South Portland
Cameron Edgecomb Lewiston
Barbara Burdick Ellsworth
Lillian Wright Hartford
Elizabeth Lingenfelter Hampden
Mark Austin Saco
Charles Marshall Acushnet MA
Leona Corrigan Acushnet MA
Christina Pasquini Rockport
Maryalice Walker Portland
Eileen Delaney Yarmouth
John Gordon Old Orchard Beach
Jody Ryan Portland
Diane-Marie Colby Searsport
Joey M. Engling Hoboken NJ
Leo Todd Limerick
Nancy E. St Laurent Scarborough
Robert Traill III South Portland
David Doherty Orland
Theresa Taylor-Libby Topsham
Jim Sinclair Belchertown MA
Michael Magalski Kennebunk
Garrett Corbin Bangor
Beverley Litchfield Scarborough
Andrew Parr Bethel
David Smith Famingdale
Edward Gleason Farmington
Richard Boisvert Springvale
Richard E. Johnson Acton
Holly Merriam Rockport
Delia Austin Brunswick
Tim Blanchette Falmouth
Kathleen Winn Brunswick
www.BikeMaine.org
Rebecca Hefty Auburn
David Gustafson Harrison
Michael Dubois Yarmouth
Cynthia Densmore Portland
Sarah Conner Self Bangor
Catherine Donovan Presque Isle
Pat & Carol Will Falmouth
Robert Bolster Winthrop
Bernard Zike Warren
Ellen Shell Bremen
Sarah Lavalette Portland
Brian & Hollee Black China
Linda Malmquist Dayton
Asa Reed Windham
Shannon Belt Portland
Donald Roane Sanford
Cynthia Aiken Yarmouth
Pierre Avignon West Newbury
Cris Gansell-Whitcomb Picture Rocks PA
Matt O’Reilly Falmouth
Thomas Archambault Bristol
Marybeth Carmody Boothbay
Rebecca Lincoln Rockland
Terrance Parker Portsmouth NH
Fall 2010
Maine Handicapped Skiing Supports Disabled Cyclists
“For a lot of the folks we serve,” says Eric Topper, the program’s outreach director,
“the big thing we can do for them is get the wind in their faces…A lap around Back
Cove is going to be a real big deal. They’re not doing anything for the next three
days.”
Michael Scheck of Portland named his bicycle PCPPV, short for Pretty Cool
Pedal-Powered Vehicle. Cycling has become a big part of his life as he regains
strength after a stroke that left him paralyzed on the left side of his body.
Scheck, 57, uses his recumbent trike to get around town, commuting two or
three days a week to his job at Goodwill Industries in downtown Portland. He
pushes himself to meet fitness goals on his bike, such as riding 60 miles in a
day. And he’s connected with a community of cyclists through a program run
by Maine Handicapped Skiing. Participating in the program’s biweekly rides at
Portland’s Back Cove “always lifts my spirits,” he says.
Jeremy Baker is at the other end of the spectrum. A construction accident left Baker
paralyzed from the waist down and using a wheelchair at age 26. Bicycling on a
hand-powered recumbent trike helped boost his confidence as well as his physical
conditioning. (In winter, he mono-skis and competes on Maine Handicapped Skiing’s racing team.) He now can load the bike in his car and transport himself from
his home in Waterford to the Back Cove rides.
photo courtesy Maine Handicapped Skiing
Cycling has
helped Michael
Scheck of
Portland regain
strength after
a stroke. He
participates
in a program
run by Maine
Handicapped
Skiing.
Maine Handicapped Skiing runs the cycling program from June through
August. Children and adults with permanent, physical disabilities can
participate for free, using adaptive cycles that cost upwards of $3,000. They
receive instruction on the bikes, and trained volunteers accompany them on
rides around the cove.
When Scheck first showed up three years ago, he wasn’t sure how he could
ride a bike. As a result of the stroke, he lost his balance as well as the use of
his left side.
He tried a “tadpole” trike, with two wheels in front and one in back, and that
gave him the stability that he needed. He used his hands to cycle, until he
built up his leg strength enough to try foot pedals.
Maine Handicapped Skiing began the summer cycling program about a
decade ago to help participants stay active and connected to each other between ski seasons. One sunny morning last July, Scheck joined 10 others who
had disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and spina bifida.
Most rode recumbent trikes, with handlebars, gears and brakes positioned to
suit their abilities. The program also has a couple of upright tandems, used by
people who are visually impaired and their volunteer companions.
Fall 2010
“This year, I just decided I was going to do hills,” says Baker, now 29 and a full-time
college student. In July, he challenged himself by climbing about two miles up
Evans Notch, hauling his wheelchair on his bike in case he needed to change a
tire. After descending, he turned around and did the whole ride in the opposite
direction.
Baker says he feels “a sense of freedom, to kind of push the boundaries of what I’m
able to do after my accident.” He planned to compete in the Beach to Beacon race
on his bike for the second year in a row. And he has his sights on an even bigger
challenge in the future: a century ride that includes climbing up three peaks in the
White Mountains.
Scheck, the Portland cyclist, bought an adaptive cycle two years ago. Soon afterward, he started biking on his own on city streets. Now, in addition to his 10-mile,
roundtrip commutes to work, he bikes to the gym, the Yarmouth farmers market,
his granddaughter’s field hockey games in Westbrook and lots of other destinations.
While many people feel embarrassed by their disabilities, Scheck says, biking makes
him feel “within the standard deviation” of normal.
Scheck plans to ride his bike through the first snowstorm. Then, he said, “I put it in
the shed, lock it up and pray for April.”
Maine Handicapped Skiing depends largely on donations and volunteer help to run
the cycling program and its other offerings, all free to participants. To find out more,
please visit www.skimhs.org.
A construction
accident left
Jeremy Baker
of Waterford
paralyzed
from the
waist down.
He started cycling through
a program
run by Maine
Handicapped
Skiing.
www.BikeMaine.org
photo by Shoshana Hoose
At first, Scheck’s right leg did all of the work; his left leg was strapped onto a
pedal to keep it from dragging. But the repeated motion of going in circles
made his left leg “click in” after a while, he says. His left side continues to gain
strength as a result of biking as well as workouts at the gym.
In 2009, Baker and a friend biked throughout the warmer months at the Fryeburg
Fairgrounds. They’d ride for 30 to 35 miles a day on a fairly flat route.
PAGE 9
Scenes from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s
2010 Summer Events
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Ninth Annual Women’s Ride in Freeport drew 400
riders reflecting the full spectrum of women cyclists - from triathletes and racers
to friends enjoying a leisurely morning ride through beautiful farm country and
along the coast.
Known for its supportive atmosphere, the ride helped some women meet their
personal fitness goals of biking farther than they ever had before. Lillian Wright
of Auburn and her niece, Rebecca Wright, completed their first-ever 25-mile ride.
“The volunteers are great,” said Wright. “The route is well-marked. And there’s
very little traffic.” Check online soon at www.BikeMaine.org for a video of the
2010 Women’s Ride.
Seven hundred cyclists participated in the Ninth Annual Maine Lobster Ride &
Roll in Rockland, riding a total of 39,226 miles. WMTW (Channel 8) provided live
coverage of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Fifty
volunteers helped out on everything from registering riders to serving freshly
made lobster rolls and greeting cyclists on their return to Rockland District High
School.
Thanks to the volunteer photographers who documented these events: Leah
Arsenault, Ron Levere, Chris Percival and Rick Smith.
ate
Save theRideD
& Roll will take place
The Tenth Annual Maine Lobster
ck the Bicycle Coalition
on July 23, 2011 in Rockland. Che
aine.org) for updated
of Maine’s Web site (www.BikeM
1 events.
information about our other 201
PAGE 10
8
www.BikeMaine.org
Summer
Fall 2010
2010
Volunteers Needed for
Event Committees
Winter might be on its way… but things are just starting to heat up for next
year’s events!
Want to be a part of the planning teams for either of the Great Maine Bike
Swaps, the Women’s Ride or the Maine Lobster Ride & Roll? The Bicycle Coalition
always is eager to have more members join in the fun and bring new ideas to
make our events bigger and better!
There are open positions on all of the event committees. Meetings will be underway soon to plan next year’s events. For more information about any of the
committees listed below, please contact Allison Vogt, the coalition’s executive
director, at [email protected] or (207) 623-4511.
Great Portland Bike Swap Committee: Meets monthly from December
through April in Portland, typically on a weekday morning from 8 to 9 a.m.
Great Orono Bike Swap Committee: Meets monthly from January through
April in Orono, typically on a weekday morning from 8 to 9 a.m.
Women’s Ride Committee: Meets monthly from January through May in
Freeport or Brunswick, typically on a weekday morning from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Maine Lobster Ride & Roll Committee: Meets monthly year-round in either
Rockland or Augusta, typically on a weekday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Fall 2010
www.BikeMaine.org
PAGE 11
photo by Ellen Wells
Inland Hospital Expands
Waterville Trail Network
by Ellen Wells Inland Hospital Community Wellness Coordinator
Your local hospital probably isn’t the first destination that comes to mind as you head
out to exercise. But Inland Hospital in Waterville has become an increasingly popular
meeting place for road cyclists, mountain bikers and walkers alike.
Throughout the summer, dozens of brightly clad cyclists gathered at Inland’s back
parking lot for a popular, weekly tour of nearby communities. Mountain bikers flocked
to a new trailhead to explore the Inland Woods Trail and the miles of singletrack on the
adjacent Pine Ridge Recreation Area. An increasing number of families, dog walkers,
geocachers and other outdoor enthusiasts discovered the new trails and restored recreation area that celebrated its official opening on September 25.
“By improving our facilities and surroundings for our staff, patients and community, we
can encourage physical fitness and social interaction, and ultimately enhance the quality
of life in central Maine,” said John Dalton, Inland’s president and chief executive officer.
The Maine Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands awarded Inland a
$35,000 Recreational Trail Program grant to build the trails on and around its campus.
The grant covered nearly three-quarters of the $48,000 cost, with the balance provided
by the hospital and in-kind donations.
Waterville’s Parks and Recreation Department, Kennebec Messalonskee Trails and neighboring landowners joined forces with Inland to support the renaissance of the neglected
Pine Ridge trail system and to add miles of trails for all to enjoy. Thanks to the hard work
of Inland employees, the Central Maine chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, the Maine Conservation Corps and other enthusiastic volunteers, the beautiful
old tote roads, stone walls and pine forests right in Inland’s backyard have become a
destination recreation area.
Inland also is working with MaineDOT and the city of Waterville on projects to enhance
pedestrian safety and to encourage access to the hospital campus via all modes of
Colby College students worked on a new trail near Inland Hospital in Waterville
as part of their freshman orientation.
transportation. The projects include a crosswalk at the hospital entrance and
installation of bike racks.
To learn more about the new trails and other improvements, visit www.
inlandhospital.org or contact me at [email protected] or (207) 861-3292.
Ellen Wells serves on the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Advisory Board.
Support the Coalition through
MaineShare’s Workplace Giving
Did you know that you can support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine right at your workplace?
MaineShare provides funds for a clean and healthy environment, fair treatment for all and safe, livable
communities. Through workplace giving, you can donate a few dollars a week out of your paycheck and
direct it to causes that you care about, such as the Bicycle Coalition. MaineShare has provided more than
$80,000 in operating funds for the coalition since it became a member in 1997.
MaineShare is offered as a payroll giving choice at more than 150 workplaces in Maine. If your workplace
is not on the list, contact Hildie at MaineShare ([email protected]), or check out www.maineshare.
org. MaineShare is always looking to partner with more workplaces to provide an easy way for you and
your co-workers to support causes of your choosing.
Since 1989, MaineShare has raised and distributed more than $3 million for statewide groups such as the
Bicycle Coalition of Maine that are working for a clean, healthy and prosperous Maine. With one gift, you
can support a lot of groups you care about. To find out more, visit www.maineshare.org or call 622-0105.
PAGE 12
www.BikeMaine.org
Fall 2010
Local Initiatives Improve Biking and Walking in Maine
by Dan Stewart MDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager
Maine. Safe Routes to School projects were proposed in communities such as Monmouth, Madison, Hampden, Gouldsboro and Kittery. Communities seeking bicycle
and pedestrian trail connections included Lewiston, Scarborough, South Portland,
Gorham, Brownfield, Richmond, Westbrook, Windham and Augusta.
Everyday is an adventure in planning. Communities throughout Maine are making changes to
improve the quality of the built environment. My
job enables me to work with local officials, school
staff, advocates, planners, environmentalists,
safety experts, law enforcement officers and the
public. We collaborate on projects and initiatives
that improve and enable safe transportation
options, create quality community environments, attract economic development,
improve residents’ health and reduce pollution.
A MaineDOT engineer, my intern Molly Dow and I visited with a group from each
community to discuss their project and to learn about its importance. I had a firsthand glimpse of what communities already have accomplished in making more
livable and safe environments, and the visions that they are working to implement. Next time, I will bring a professional videographer to document how Maine
communities are working so hard, at so many levels, to transform themselves, to
become more livable.
As I write this column, I have just returned from a historic event: the opening of the
Bayside Trail, a paved connection through the heart of Portland. As I listened to
speakers at the opening ceremony, I realized how important this vision turned to
reality is for Maine’s largest city. I thought to myself… people will be walking and
biking on this trail hundreds and perhaps thousands of years into the future as the
city continues to grow around it. I could hear children’s laughter, as people walked
and biked together, away from traffic… Munjoy Hill hovered above, downtown
buildings loomed off to the right.
When you are out and about, take a look at our village centers. Notice the bright,
new crosswalks, sidewalks, park benches and bike lanes. Visit one of the recently
built or expanded bicycle and pedestrian trails such as the Down East Sunrise Trail,
Eastern Trail, Mountain Division Rail with Trail or the Kennebec River Rail Trail.
Experience the results of the visions turned into reality…..Quality Community
Environments.
Many are working at the local level; all are making our communities safer and
more livable. What an experience it was to see the passion and dedication of those
working toward a better tomorrow. If you would like a report showing where these
completed trails and other successful projects are located, or for more information
on how you can get involved in making change in your neighborhood, town or city,
give me a call!
Most of Maine’s bicycling and walking projects are far less dramatic in scale, but
just as important to the fabric of their communities. In July, 45 towns and cities
around the state applied to the MaineDOT Quality Community Program to partner
on improvements for walking and bicycling.
Sidewalks were requested in Houlton, Caribou, Machias, Dixfield, Brunswick, Cape
Elizabeth, Portland, Kennebunk, Rockland, Rangeley and other towns all over
Dan Stewart can be reached at 624-3252.
Two Join Bicycle Coalition
of Maine’s Board
Dana McEwan of Portland and Laurie McReel of Oakland have joined the Bicycle
Coalition of Maine’s board of directors. Nancy Grant has been elected to a second
term as board president. John Wright is continuing as treasurer and Mark Ishkanian
is serving as secretary.
McEwan bought a used road bike at the Bicycle Coalition’s Great Portland Bike Swap
in 2006 and she’s been hooked on cycling ever since. She rides an average of 3,000
to 3,500 miles a year, including commuting to work and participating in organized
events and races. She also writes a blog about cycling and bicycle culture (http://
mainevelophile.wordpress.com).
McEwan started a weekly women’s ride in Portland in 2008, and she helped found
the Portland Women’s Velo Club in 2009. A lifelong Mainer, she works as an executive assistant at Norton Financial Service.
McReel has been cycling since she and her husband, John Poirier, gave each other
bicycles for wedding presents 33 years ago. She enjoys road riding, mountain bikFall 2010
Dana McEwan
Laurie McReel
ing and touring and belongs to the Central Maine Cycling Club. As office manager
for her husband’s dental practice in Waterville, she schedules lots of vacation time
for bike trips.
McReel is a longtime member of the Bicycle Coalition and a past board member of
Kennebec Messalonskee Trails. She wants to help the coalition encourage people to
get outside, exercise and feel healthier and happier.
www.BikeMaine.org
PAGE 13
Ask the Experts
Charley LaFlamme and John Brooking Explain Rules of the Road
Is Riding Side by Side Legal?
A police officer pulled over a group of southern Maine cyclists in July with the
complaint that they were not riding single file. The officer insisted that riding
two abreast was against the law. The group happened to include a Bicycle Coalition of Maine board member, and a flurry of e-mails ensued.
It turns out that Maine has no law that specifically addresses riding two abreast.
The officer probably had in mind the law that requires cyclists to ride as far right
as practicable, or the law that prevents impeding traffic. What do these laws
have to say about the decision to ride side by side or single file?
The ride-to-the-right law states that a bicyclist travelling “less than the normal
speed of traffic” should operate “as far to the right as practicable,” except under
a variety of situations which make it not feasible or reasonable. Some of the
explicitly listed exceptions include when a lane is too narrow to share, when the
cyclist is preparing to turn left or when the cyclist is avoiding right-turning cars
or hazardous conditions such as parked cars, bad pavement, sand and debris. The
law states that shoulder use is allowed but not mandatory.
If a single cyclist is not restricted to the right side of the lane, then it seems logical that two or three cyclists side by side should be no different. For example, if
a single cyclist is allowed to control a narrow lane, then two cyclists side by side
will cause no additional inconvenience to motorized vehicles.
In fact, overtaking drivers may find it more convenient for a large group of cyclists
to ride side by side rather than having each cyclist control the lane sequentially.
On a road with two or more lanes in each direction, the cyclists should occupy
only the lane farthest to the right, except when changing lanes for a left turn.
When the road or lane is wide enough to be shared with motor traffic (generally
defined as 14 feet or greater), the ride-to-the-right law dictates that bicyclists
stay as far right as practicable, again excluding certain situations, so that faster
vehicles may pass. If there is space for riding two abreast while allowing motor
vehicles safe passage, that should be acceptable, though it probably will not
happen often.
If the lane can be shared only when cycling single file, then side-by-side riders
should single up when the call of “car back” is passed up the line and allow the
car to pass. If the road has a usable shoulder, that might present an opportunity
for continued side-by-side riding, with one person using the shoulder while the
other rides in the shareable lane.
Although there may not be a strict legal requirement to ride single file in a
narrow lane, a group might consider doing so anyway. For example, each lane
of a narrow, two-lane road may itself be too narrow to share. But if there isn’t
much traffic, motorists often are willing to cross the double-yellow line when it
is convenient for them, in order to give adequate passing distance to a bicyclist
riding at about the right tire track. A group may consider singling up on a “car
back” to allow the overtaking motorist to pass even in these narrow lane cases, as
a gesture towards peaceable relations between cyclists and motorists.
PAGE 14
If a single cyclist is allowed to control a narrow
lane, then two cyclists side by side will cause no
additional inconvenience to motorized vehicles.
Be careful, however, when frequent opposing traffic makes sharing a two-lane road
more difficult. Given the choice between having to slow down and wait behind a cyclist
or “threading the needle” between the cyclist and oncoming traffic, far too many drivers
opt for the latter. Cyclists may need to control the lane for their own safety, whether
they ride two abreast or single file.
The discussion so far has focused on Maine’s “ride to the right” law. What about Maine’s
impeding law?
This law states, “A person may not operate a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to
impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is
necessary for safe operation of the motor vehicle or in compliance with law.”
First, notice the use of the phrase “motor vehicle.” Does this even apply to bicyclists?
Common sense would say no, but there is some debate about that in Maine. Bicyclists
are considered drivers of vehicles, but not necessarily of motor vehicles. We are not
lawyers and we are not aware of a judicial ruling on the issue, so we can’t say for sure.
Let’s assume for the sake of argument that the impeding law does apply to cyclists. Even
so, not all impeding is illegal. Traffic flow is legally impeded all the time by such things
as a left-turning car ahead needing to wait for oncoming traffic to clear, making both
the left-turner and traffic behind him wait. We also are impeded by stopped school
buses, trains and traffic lights. The statute says the action must prevent the “normal and
reasonable movement of traffic” to be illegal.
We consider that faster traffic slowing momentarily for cyclists and possibly needing to
look for a safe passing opportunity is very normal and reasonable. Some states give a
guideline for how many cars need to be stacked up or for how long to constitute illegal
impeding, but Maine does not. Common courtesy would dictate that if a group requires
some amount of impeding to be safe, the group should be sensitive to the car traffic
behind and not impede beyond what would be considered reasonable. If riding single
file can be done safely, it should be encouraged. If not, consider pulling aside briefly if
the traffic is stacked up behind you.
Without a specific prohibition against riding abreast or a more quantitative definition
of illegal impeding, the “ride-to-the-right” law and the impeding statute both give very
broad guidance that depends on the road configuration. Know your legal rights, but
also keep in mind your ability to be good ambassadors of cycling by allowing cars to pass
when it is safe to do so.
Charley LaFlamme, the coalition’s founder and a longtime board member, is a League
Cycling Instructor (LCI) with more than 35 years of experience teaching bicycle safety to
children and adults. John Brooking also is an LCI and serves on the coalition board. Send
your questions about safe bicycle driving to [email protected] and they will be
answered in future columns.
www.BikeMaine.org
Fall 2010
Bicycle Coalition
Partners with GoMaine
on Commuter Program
by Jim Tasse Education Director
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has partnered with the GoMaine Commuter
Program to develop a Bicycle Commuter Education Program. A pilot program
was presented at 13 Maine worksites during the spring and summer, and it will
be rolled out statewide in the coming months.
The program offers guidance to businesses that want to promote bicycling
at their worksites. Whether the aim is to improve employees’ health or to
encourage bicycle commuting as part of a “green” worksite culture, the program
provides practical advice and information to everyone from wobbly newbies to
aspiring triathletes.
The staff of Gorham Bike and Ski includes
(from left): Fred Robie, Tim Corcoran, Dave
Palese, Hank Pfeifle, Greg Dolbec, Jamie
Wright and Shannon Carroll.
The program is extremely flexible so that it can fit into worksite schedules,
spaces and formats. Businesses can choose a standard program with three sessions and a ride, or they can select the information that best suits their needs
from an “a la carte” menu.
Spotlight on Gorham
Bike and Ski
The standard program begins with a session on “Bicycling Basic Equipment,”
covering bike selection and fitting, helmets, shorts, pedals, how to be seen on
bike and related topics. The second session, “Basic Bicycle Operation,” teaches
how to do a pre-ride check of equipment and the principles of safe bicycle driving on roadways. The third session addresses basic maintenance such as tire
repair, more complex traffic questions and other topics raised by the group.
Jamie Wright opened Gorham Bike and Ski in Gorham 15 years ago. He loved to cycle
and wanted to help others benefit from a healthy, active lifestyle.
...the program provides practical advice
and information to everyone from wobbly
newbies to aspiring triathletes.
The standard program concludes with an optional group ride that demonstrates
basic bike handling maneuvers and vehicular riding in traffic. The program can
be fine-tuned to include information on how businesses can encourage bicycle
commuting by such means as providing showers and bike racks.
Experienced instructors trained in safe cycling practices teach the commuter
education classes. The program is geared to cyclists at levels ranging from
novice to intermediate/advanced. Special arrangements can be made for
expert-level presentations.
The goal of the education program is to encourage bicycle commuting. Participants who sign up for free with GoMaine can take advantage of GoMaine’s
Emergency Ride Home Guarantee that allows for a free or reimbursed taxi ride
or rental car ride home in the event of a workday emergency.
To find out more about the Bicycle Commuter Education Program and to
arrange for it to come to your place of business, please contact me at jim@
bikemaine.org (207-623-4511) or contact Erik West of GoMaine at ewest@
gpcog.org (207-774-9891).
Fall 2010
Now located in downtown Portland, the main store continues to serve cyclists of all
abilities and ages, from children just learning how to ride to elite athletes competing
at the highest levels of the sport. Gorham Bike and Ski also has a store in Saco and a
seasonal, cross-country ski store in Jackson, New Hampshire. The store is a longtime
member of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
“Gorham Bike and Ski prides itself on its customer service,” says Dave Palese, the store’s
general manager. “A well-trained and knowledgeable staff is there to understand
customers’ needs and wants, and then connect them with the right products.”
The store sells Giant and Specialized bikes and services bicycles of all kinds. Customers
also can buy and sell used bikes at Gorham Bike and Ski.
“The most obvious trend in the industry, at least with our brands, has been an everincreasing value in the bike lines,” says Palese. “Each year, you simply get better and
better bikes for less money - whether you’re talking about family bikes or top-of-theline carbon road bikes.”
Gorham Bike and Ski sponsors the Southern Maine Cycling Club and a number of bicycle
races, triathlons and other events, including the Scarborough Crit Series. The store also
holds spin classes and workshops for triathletes. “Girls and Gears Night” brings women
into the shop for talks on topics such as bike fit plus special discounts and clinics.
Palese says the bike shop’s staff sets it apart.
“Over the years, we’ve put together an awesome core group of full-time, year-round
staff members,” he said. “During the height of the bike season, we have several seasonal employees who come back each year.” When they’re not working, the staff can be
found biking at favorite places such as Bradbury Mountain State Park.
Gorham Bike and Ski is located at 693 Congress Street, Portland (773-1700) and 247
Main Street, Saco (283-2453). The store’s Web site is http://gorhambike.com.
www.BikeMaine.org
PAGE 15
A Standing Ovation for
the Bicycle Coalition of
Maine’s Volunteers
by Cecelia Garton Volunteer Coordinator
Putting on an event like the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Women’s Ride
and the Maine Lobster Ride & Roll reminds me of staging a play. People
appreciate and applaud what they see on the day of the event, but there
often is little or no recognition for all that goes on before the production
and behind the scenes.
Here are the people who volunteered on the Women’s Ride and the Maine
Lobster Ride. Committee members are listed in bold type; they devoted
weeks and months to planning the events. Let’s give a standing ovation
for all who made these events a success.
Women’s Ride Volunteers
David Adams
Lisa Arsenault
Leah Arsenault
Tony Barrett
tish carr
Sara Dostie
Polly Frawley
Pete Frye
Steve Garton
Nancy Grant
Wendy Hallenbeck
Kathleen Hamel
Brooke Hamilton
Lindsay Hancock
Ronald Levere
William McMurray
Margaritt McNulty
Maureen McQuown
Alison McQuown
Laurie McReel
Alan Mills
Margaret Morrison
Ellis Oliver
Elizabeth Patten
Chris Percival
Peter Phair
Beth Richardson
Becca Robie
Cathy Robie
Fred Robie
Jane Self
Richard Smith
Sharon Smythe
Kim True
Maggie Warren
Nancy White
Bill White
Paul Womer
Phyllis Wolfe
Dave Wood
John Wright
Maine Lobster Ride & Roll Volunteers
Melissa Arndt
Martha Arterberry
Dave Auclair
Dawn Baumer
Beau Beausley
Ellen Bladen
Rachel Bladen
Rita Blais
Chris Bragg
Cindy Bryant
Carol Butler
Dennis Camber
Cindy Charlson
Denise Crowell
Joel Fishman
Steve Garton
Ray Giglio
Sharon Greenleaf
James Gregg
PAGE 16
Gladys Gugan
Robin Jordan
Charlie Jordan
Georgia Kellough
Tug Kellough
Barbara Larson
Isabelle Lobley
Anne Logue
Christine Marty
Susan Masone
Ann McMath
Jon McMath
Joe Patten
Alan Pease
Marnie Pease
Chris Percival
Peter Phair
Jim Philbrook
Suzanne Philbrook
Ken Pote
Jeanne Pursel
Penny Read
Steve Ropiak
Jane Self
Richard Smith
Dave Talley
Kathy Thyng
Dick Vermeulen
Bob Verrill
Maggie Warren
Pam Watson
Chris Wells
Ellen Wells
Charles Wescott
Nancy White
Sue Winters
Dave Wood
www.BikeMaine.org
Fall 2010
Bicycle Coalition Participates in Martin’s Point Bridge Committee
by Sue Ellen Bordwell
The Martin’s Point Bridge Advisory Committee is working on plans to replace the
Route 1 bridge between Falmouth and Portland that is used by many cyclists.
Formed in July, the committee will meet for nine to 12 months.
MaineDOT expects to issue a request for proposals for the bridge project in October
2011 and to award a contract in March 2012. Construction is slated to begin that
July, with a completion date of July 2014.
I am representing the Bicycle Coalition of Maine on the advisory committee.
Other members include officials from Falmouth, Portland and MaineDOT, bridge
neighbors, Route 1 business owners, historic preservationists, a representative from
Portland Trails and others interested in the project. Sally Oldham is facilitating the
committee’s work, using a collaborative approach.
The advisory committee wants the public to have information as the project moves
forward. I am happy to hear your thoughts. You also may contact the project
coordinator, Leanne Timberlake, at [email protected].
Sue Ellen Bordwell, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s representative to the Martin’s
Point Bridge Advisory Committee, can be reached at [email protected].
The committee has spent some time learning about the bridge’s history and taking
a field visit there. We’ve also become familiar with the Design Build Process, which
combines the project design and construction under one contract. Contracts are
awarded based on technical scoring as well as the cost of the proposal.
New Maine Bicycling Guide
Hot Off the Presses
by Shoshana Hoose Communications Coordinator
I’ve loved my copy of “Explore Maine by Bike” to pieces. When I open the cover,
cue sheets spill out, reminding me of the great rides that I’ve taken from Deer
Isle to Fryeburg, Calais to Kittery and many places in between.
Originally printed in 2003, the popular guidebook has been updated and
expanded. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine partnered with MaineDOT to produce
the new guide covering every region of the state. The book has tours for cyclists
of all abilities, with distances ranging from 10 to 107 miles.
All of the 33 loop tours and other content in the book will be posted at www.
exploremaine.org/bike. Paper copies of the free guide are available at tourist
information centers, bike shops and by calling MaineDOT at 624-3272.
Some highlights of the new edition include:
• Several new or expanded tours, in areas such as Andover and Grafton
Notch, Aroostook County, Bethel, Boothbay Harbor, Damariscotta,
Fryeburg, Kittery, Medway, Sebasticook Valley and Unity. Some tours
incorporate trails such as the Kennebec River Rail Trail.
• Lots of photographs illustrating local landmarks and attractions.
• Newly formatted cue sheets with turn-by-turn directions.
• A new section on mountain biking trails at state and national parks in
Maine.
• Another new section highlighting bike-pedestrian trails that are for nonmotorized use only. The book also has an expanded list of multi-use trails,
shared with All Terrain Vehicles.
• Helpful information about finding accommodations, including a list of state
parks and phone numbers and Web sites for local Chambers of Commerce.
• A review of Maine bicycle laws and safety tips.
Fall 2010
The Coalition partnered with MaineDOT
to produce the new guide covering
every region of the state. The book has
tours for cyclists of all abilities, with distances ranging from 10 to 107 miles.
Congratulations to the team that produced the new guide: Maggie Warren,
Dave Wood, Pete Phair and Allison Vogt of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and
Dan Stewart, Steve Killam and Kevin Riley of MaineDOT.
www.BikeMaine.org
PAGE 17
CORPORATE
MEMBER
Auclair Cycle & Ski
Augusta 800-734-7171
Center Street Cycles
Brunswick 729-5309
mojo
Presque Isle 760-9500
Back Bay Bicycle
Portland 773-6906
Cycle Mania*
Portland 774-2933
Pat’s Bike Shop
Brewer 989-2900
Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop
Bar Harbor 288-3886
Freeman’s Bicycle Service
Portland 347-1577
Rainbow Bicycle & Fitness
Auburn 784-7576
Belfast Bicycles
Belfast 388-0008
Freeport Ski & Bike
Freeport 865-0523
Rose Bicycle
Orono 800-656-3525
Bikesenjava
Rockland 596-1004
Gorham Bike & Ski
Portland 773-1700
Saco 283-2453
Birgfeld’s Bike Shop
Searsport 548-2916
Cadillac Mountain Sports
Bar Harbor 288-4532
Ellsworth 667-7819
Jerry’s Bike Barn
Berwick 752-0580
LL Bean Bike, Boat & Ski Store
Freeport 755-2326
These bicycle clubs support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s
work with annual memberships of $150 or above.
Belfast Bicycle Club
www.belfastbicycleclub.org
MEMBER BIKE CLUBS
MEMBER BIKE SHOPS
These bike shops support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s work with annual memberships of $250 or above. Please thank
them for their support of the coalition when you’re in their shops. A complete list of member bike shops is on our Web site
(www.BikeMaine.org).
You can support our member bike shops by
getting your bicycle tuned during the winter.
That helps shops stay busy during the quieter
months, and it ensures that your bike will be
ready to ride as soon as the snow melts.
Casco Bay Bicycle Club
Portland, cascobaybicycleclub.org
Community Cycling Club of Portland
www.BikeCCCP.org
Maine Cycling Club
Auburn, www.mainecyclingclub.com
Portland Velo Club
www.portlandvelo.com
MEMBER BUSINESSES
These businesses support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s work with annual memberships of $250 or above. A complete list of
member businesses is on our Web site (www.BikeMaine.org).
American Diabetes Association
Portland 888-DIABETES
GoMaine Commuter Connections
Portland 774-9891
Terrance J. DeWan and Assoc.
Yarmouth 846-0757
American Lung Association of Maine
Augusta 624-0302
Kennebec Savings Bank
Augusta 622-5801
T.Y. Lin International
Falmouth 781-4721
Apogee Adventures
Brunswick 725-7025
Maine Hospice Council
Augusta 626-0651
VBT Bicycling Vacations*
Bristol VT 800-245-3868
Argus Bicycle Company
Van Buren 868-2200
Maine MS Society
Falmouth 781-7960
Bay Wrap of Augusta
Augusta 338-9757
Penobscot Environmental Consulting
Yarmouth 653-2452
Bread & Roses Bakery*
Ogunquit 646-4227
R.D. Foundation
New York, NY
Downeast Bicycle Specialists*
Fryeburg 935-4242
Summer Feet Maine Coast
Cycling Adventures
Portland 866-857-9544
Duratherm Window*
Vassalboro 872-5558
Flatbread Company
Portland 772-8777
*Yellow Jersey Club member
Great Gear!
The Tenney Powers Evans Financial Group
Portland 791-5579
A Bicycle Coalition of Maine women’s
light blue T-shirt
with dark blue lettering is available for
$15 in our
online store at www.BikeMaine.org. Mem
bers joining
or renewing at the $75 level receive a
T-shirt (men’s
style and sizes also are available) or a
water bottle as a
thank-you gift.
INVEST IN BETTER BICYCLING TODAY!
Please show your support and contribute to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine
$1,000 Yellow Jersey Club
(receive limited edition Yellow Jersey,
other benefits)
$250 Leader
(receive Lighthouse jersey)
$125 Sustainer
(receive water bottle and T-shirt)
$75 Advocate
(choose water bottle ___
or shirt size:
)
$35 Supporter
Give $75 and receive
our T-shirt
SHIRT SIZE:
mens
womens
S
M
L
XL
Get Your Newsletter
the “Green” Way
Receive Newsletter Electronically?
YES
PAGE 18
www.BikeMaine.org
NO
Fall 2010
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Yellow Jersey Club
Our Yellow Jersey Club is a community of members who have chosen
to support better bicycling in Maine at the incredibly generous
level of $1,000 or more. Members who choose to give at the Yellow
Jersey Club level believe that a significant contribution to the Bicycle
Coalition of Maine is a worthy investment in our past, present and
future successes.
In addition to receiving the special “Dirigo” yellow jersey, members
of the Yellow Jersey Club are invited to special rides and events and
also to lead the rides at the Maine Lobster Ride & Roll. Yellow Jersey
Club members also receive invitations to special events from Allison
Vogt, the coalition’s executive director.
For more information about joining the Yellow Jersey Club, please
contact Allison at 623-4511 or [email protected].
Yellow Jersey Club Members
Karen Herold and Mark Isaacson of Cumberland
Karen Herold and Mark Isaacson began their bicycling life together in 1975 by riding on the
Cabot Trail around Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton. “Cyclists were rare on Cape Breton in those
days,” Isaacson recalled. “At one point, we encountered a motorcycle descending while we
were climbing. The driver was so astonished that he drove right off the road,” fortunately
escaping unharmed.
Herold and Isaacson have had many bicycle adventures since then as they’ve toured all over
the U.S. and in Scandinavia, Italy, Taiwan and Costa Rica. Bicycling also is a big part of their
lives in Maine. The couple, who live in Cumberland, join a group of friends on Thursday
nights during the warmer months for bike rides ending with potluck dinners.
“I like the simplicity of biking, the ease of parking and the little break the journey gives for
one’s own thoughts, which are richer for the rushing fresh air and the bit of exercise,” says
Herold. “On vacation expeditions, I love exploring new geographies by bike, because the
pace and the exposure of biking are optimal for learning about new regions.”
Isaacson frequently commutes by bike 24-miles roundtrip to his job. He’s an energy
consultant and a smart grid and solar power developer who has worked on hydro and wind
generation projects.
The couple joined the Bicycle Coalition of Maine at the Yellow Jersey Club level because they
support the coalition’s efforts to create more bicycle infrastructure in Maine and to spread a
Share the Road message.
Isaacson has had many close encounters with vehicles driving in a way that is unsafe and
sometimes deliberately aggressive. “If you can refrain from shouting or obscene gestures,”
he said, “you realize the need for public education and the work of the coalition.”
Herold appreciates the Bicycle Coalition’s efforts to encourage more people to try biking.
“To my mind,” she said, “every bicyclist is helping the public good by easing traffic congestion, parking, road wear, pollution and health insurance costs…The more bikes there are
out on the road, the more drivers will be used to bikes, and the friendlier the communities
will be for their citizens.”
Fall 2010
www.BikeMaine.org
Harry Ankers Chelsea
Moe & Lorraine Bisson Brunswick
Mary Breen Ogunquit
David Brink & Ed Quinn Portland
Philip Coffin & Susan Peck Carrabassett Valley
Tim Downing Vassalboro
Janika Eckert & Rob Johnston Albion
Dan & Lauren Emery North Yarmouth
Dillon Gillies Bethel
Leon & Lisa Gorman Yarmouth
Ellen Grant & Kevin Carley Kolonia
Nancy Grant & Mike Boyson Portland
Ralph Hamill & Susan Akers
Karen Herold & Mark Isaacson Cumberland
Mark & Ginger Ishkanian Readfield
Richard Long Orono
John & Anne Marshall Addison
Gregg & Caroline Marston Bristol, VT
Jeffrey Miller & Lotte Schlegel Washington, D.C.
Doug Moore Fryeburg
Scott & Ponee Roberts Gorham
Cathy & Fred Robie Freeport
Larry & Robin Rubinstein Scarborough
Peter & Kerry Rubinstein New York, NY
Jeff Saffer Cape Elizabeth
Robert Satter Avon, CT
Jane Self & Ken Pote Camden
Cynthia Sortwell South Portland
Ellen Sudow & Joseph Higdon Washington, D.C.
Austin & Manny Watts Bowdoin
Mark & Kitty Wheeler Woolwich
Nancy & Bill White Bethel
Garth & Nancy Wilbanks Winterport
Scott & Kelly Withers South Portland
John & Loren Wright Woolwich
PAGE 19
The BCM is proudly affiliated with:
ABW-LOGO_!Final_OLtext BW.pdf 10/4/2010 7:10:16 PM
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to
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U.S. Postage
PAID
Augusta, ME
Permit #80
TRAILS
CONSERVANCY
PO Box 5275, Augusta, ME 04332-5275
(207) 623-4511 • [email protected]
www.BikeMaine.org
C
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Thanks to the Bicycle Coalition for
making Maine a better place to bicycle
www.durathermwindow.com
www.yorkspiralstair.com
27th Annual
Trek Across Maine
June 17-19, 2011
Yankee Magazine
featured the Trek as one of the
“Top 10 Epic Events for People
Who Just Can’t Stop Cycling!”
Come see for yourself!
Join Charlie LaFlamme on the
2011 Bicycle Coalition of Maine Team!
Register online at: biketreknewengland.org
or call: 1-888-241-6566 x. 0302
*Be sure to register as part of the coalition’s team!*
Holiday Gifts for Bicyclists
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s online store at www.BikeMaine.org has lots of
creative holiday gifts for the bicyclists in your life. You’ll find presents to suit every
budget, including:
• The “High Mountains of the Tour”
belt showcasing the terrain of the
Tour de France ($35). The Belted Cow
Company in Yarmouth is donating
10 percent of the proceeds from this
Maine-made belt to the coalition.
• A gift membership to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, starting at $35 for a
household. Members receive our quarterly newsletter, “Maine Cyclist,” regular
bicycling news updates and discounts on coalition events and at member
bicycle shops.
Visit www.BikeMaine.org for more gift ideas, including T-shirts with the Bicycle
Coalition’s new logo. All support the coalition’s work to improve bicycling in Maine.
Sign Up to Get Our Newsletter the “Green” Way
You can save energy and help the Bicycle Coalition of Maine cut costs by receiving
future copies of “Maine Cyclist” electronically. As an added benefit, you will receive the
newsletter a couple of weeks earlier! We will e-mail you a link to download “Maine
Cyclist” four times a year. The file is about 2 MB so before you sign up, be sure you can
download a file that large.
To sign up for this service, please e-mail [email protected] and put “electronic
newsletter” in the message line.