Cyclists Pedal Into Berkshire Bike Month
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Clad in helmets and bright colors, more than 20 people gathered in Park Square to kick on Berkshire Bike Month on Wednesday.
The month of May will be stacked with bicycle-centered events throughout the county — beginning with an eight-mile loop from the city's center that ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co.
"We have we have a lot of things going on in Pittsfield for bicycles and for safety," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.
"We're not anywhere near where we should be. We have a lot of work to do."
Bike month is meant to promote the safe use of streets for anyone and everyone no matter how they are traveling, he said The commissioner is especially excited about Bike to Work Day on May 17, as he can register to be recognized for his typical commute.
He presented a proclamation to President of the Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan. It states that the city is committed to the health of its citizens and environment, safe cycling with road bike lanes and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and that the Police Department encourages safe cycling by distributing lights and helmets and accompanies the city's Ride Your Bike to School event.
BBPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Cohan said the quarter century has been full of commitment to bike paths and bike safety throughout Berkshire County "on roads, on trails, on tracks, and on paths."
"In expanding our mission in this way we have been able to encompass all kinds of cycles and all kinds of riders," she said.
She noted that participants range from babies to 90-year-old people. Bike month includes events for all ages.
The council was founded in 1999 and advocates for a 75-mile recreational trail the entire length of Berkshire County by using railway corridors and off-road bike paths where possible along with on-road bike lanes.
Heather Linscott, one of its founders, made sure to attend the kickoff. The idea of a bike path resonated with her and she started to help pick up remnants of the railroad tracks that the path currently follows.
She explained that it is a "really good thing for everybody," including injured and elderly people who need a safe place to walk. Even the hardcore bikers enjoy it when they want a relaxed ride, she added.
"It's just a great pathway and every time I go, I meet people that I know," Linscott said. "It's just like a community place. It's a community park, really."
The first section of the rail trail opened in 2001, running from the Pittsfield/Lanesborough line to Park Street in Adams. Phase 1 of its extension into Pittsfield was completed a couple of years ago, connecting from the former Berkshire Mall to Crane Avenue.
The city will soon see another leg of the trail, with a 0.4-mile extension that goes underneath the Dalton Avenue bridge, behind the Shops at Unkamet Brook (which include Dick's Sporting Goods and Panera Bread,) and comes out next to O'Connell Oil Associates.
Cohan thanked the city for its commitment to safe biking and emphasized the importance of drivers understanding that cyclists need 4 feet of space, noting that vehicles are allowed to cross the yellow line for this.
"Today, we also have to remember that cyclists represent cyclists and the way we ride sends a message," she said. "We want to share the roads. We want to be right we, want to stay right, and we want to have a light."
She concluded by reminding attendees to "keep pedaling."
Berkshire Bike Month partners include MassBike's Bay State Bike Month, Massachusetts Safe Routes to School, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, the city of Pittsfield, Berkshire Bike and Board, and Downtown Pittsfield Inc.
"This is such a great turnout for this kickoff ride," said Nick Russo, senior transportation planner at BRPC and the founder of the Pittsfield Community Design Center.
A full list of events can be found here.
Tags: biking,
