On Labor Day in Pawlet, a 21-year fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the double yellow line, and killed a person on a bike. This was the fourth fatal crash involving a bicycle and a car this year. Four people – dads, friends, colleagues, husbands – lost. And this is the tip of the iceberg. We are hearing too many stories of ‘another near miss’ or a ‘classic right hook,’ too many stories of harassment by drivers, and too much frustration from so many of you who would love to get outside and ride – if only you felt safe on the roads.

The first thing you said was, “Keep Riding!” And this summer we could see that in action. From Burlington to St. Albans, from Rutland to Brattleboro, Vermonters and visitors to our state are walking and biking everywhere. We are walking the kids to school, enjoying a date by bike, getting to work on two wheels, raising money for nonprofits with walks, runs and rides, and touring country roads with friends.

Your second priority was public awareness: you said, “Educate, hold events, do a PSA, rally and protest!” From recent media coverage, to a bike-in movie at Hotel Vermont, and the first ever Vermont rally for safe roads for everyone planned for Sept. 25th (see below!), we are moving the headlines beyond crash coverage to begin a substantive conversation about changing the culture on our roads and streets.

Third, you pointed to a critical need:  “Real penalties, real enforcement.” There has been much discussion about the legal process surrounding these fatal crashes, and many are concerned that-even where we have laws on the books the penalties are too lenient. The League of American Bicyclists searched newspaper stories for a 2014 report that investigated 552 fatal crashes. They found that only 45% of fatal crashes resulted in an ‘indication of potential enforcement,’ and just 12% resulted in a sentence. Can Vermont do better than that?

And last but most certainly not least, you said,”Infrastructure!” While it takes time and money to widen roads and add shoulders, there are all kinds of things we can do right now-if we speak out and push for change. A big shout out goes to Lyndonville, where community advocates seized the opportunity of a repaving project to re-stripe and transform their downtown with bike lanes.  And kudos to VTrans for establishing a policy to make 11 feet the standard lane width in Vermont, which can result in a wider shoulder and a much needed margin of error for people walking and biking.  We need a LOT more of this kind of change – and Local Motion is on it.

So what do we do from here? Stop riding? No way. Stick to the trails? Not a chance. Speak out to change the culture on our roads and streets? Stand up for courtesy and respect between road users, and a shared responsibility to get everyone home safe? YES!

September is THE month to make your voice heard!  Speak up for biking, for safe streets, and for two-wheeled fun!

Heading into (or staying in) Burlington for Open Streets BTV or the  South End Art Hop this weekend? Come see what happens when people, bikes and fun transform Burlington’s streets!  Here’s what you will find:

Better By Bike Official Launch!
September 13 at 1:00 PM; North Ave & Winooski Ave in Burlington

We don’t just advocate, we celebrate!  Join the official launch event forBetter by Bike, where we will raise a glass to enjoying life by bike and taking action to make the world better for biking.  Free Better by Bike stickers for everyone, instant raffles for Better by Bike t-shirts, and more.  Be there!

“PlanBTV Walk Bike” Workshop!
September 14, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, 228 N. Winooski Ave

Want a sneak peek at the future of walking and biking in Burlington?  This is your chance!  The amazing team that Burlington DPW has brought in to develop Burlington’s first-ever “walk-bike master plan” has a first draft of a walk-bike map for Burlington, and they want to know if it’s on the mark.  Learn more at https://www.planbtvwalkbike.org/get-involved/, and RSVP for the event athttps://www.facebook.com/events/1491096774538505/.

SAVE THE DATE: Rally for Safe Roads in Montpelier!
Fri, September 25 at 5:30 PM; State House lawn

The memorial rides for people killed on bikes this year brought out hundreds of riders to remember and celebrate the lives lost. Now, we need a statewide response, a statewide call to action.  That means you!  Can we get 500 people on the State House lawn?  Join the call for safe roads for everyone – walking, biking, driving, riding a horse, crossing the road in a snowmobile, you name it.

Headlined by Lt. Governor Phil Scott and hosted by the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance, Local Motion and others, the event is an opportunity to hear from legislative and agency leaders and to share your ideas about how to improve our roads and streets for everyone. Show you care by showing up. Event includes the official launch of the Vermont Road Users Pledge, music and food.  Parking available in the DMV parking lot on State Street and the DOL park and ride on Green Mountain Drive. Save the date and look-out for more information.

Kelly Brush Century Ride!
Sat, September 12

Cheer on or join the riders at the 10th anniversary Kelly Brush Century Ride! With course options of 25, 50 and 100 miles, the event typically attracts 750 riders and 25 handcycle riders, and raises funds to prevent ski racing injuries and to provide adaptive sports equipment to individuals living with paralysis. Routes all start and finish in Middlebury and include towns in Addison and Chittenden counties, extending west to the lakeshore and north to Shelburne.

Bike-in Movie!  Bikes vs Cars
Thurs, September 17

This year’s first bike-in movie night is coming to Hotel Vermont on Cherry Street in Burlington! A new twist on the old idea of a drive-in, Hotel Vermont is hosting a free showing of a movie with an attitude, Bikes vs. Cars. In this new film, director Fredrik Gertten, of BANANAS!* and Big Boys Gone Bananas!* fame, investigates the daily global drama of traffic around the world. Come by bike if you can, and leave your bike worry-free at Local Motion’s valet bike parking service in the courtyard of Hotel Vermont.

Tour de Farms
Sat, September 26

The Tour de Farms, set in Addison County’s rolling farmland, has an entirely new 5-town, 37-mile route for you this year. The 2015 Tour begins and ends in Bristol, and in between takes you on a gastronomic adventure with 8 farm stops and 20 participating farms and restaurants. Riders can sample everything from grass-fed BBQ beef chili to local polenta, from organic pulled pork to fresh pesto on artisan bread. Experience this one-of-a-kind ride through some of Vermont’s most beautiful towns, meet the farmers who dedicate their lives to feeding their communities, and hit the finish line on the Bristol green for live music at the Bristol Harvest Festival! There is still time to register by 9/18 and save $20.