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Concord Police Department to Host Bike Safety Rodeo

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Concord Police Department
Chief Joseph O’Connor
219 Walden Street
P.O. Box 519
Concord, MA 01742

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 11, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Concord Police Department to Host Bike Safety Rodeo

CONCORD – Chief Joseph O’Connor and the Concord Police Department would like to invite residents to a bike safety rodeo this weekend where there will be free inspections and safety tips.

WHEN:

Saturday, June 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE:

Sanborn Middle School, 835 Old Marlboro Road, Concord

WHAT:

The Concord Police Department, in partnership with ATA Cycle of Concord, will check the safety of bikes and helmets, inform attendees about bicycle laws and explain how to effectively and safely share the road with pedestrians and motor vehicles. The overall goal of the event is to promote safety for bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians.

Attendees are asked to bring their own bikes and helmets to the rodeo. There will be three bicycle stations to evaluate bike safety and teach safety skills. Free ice cream from Juniper Farms will be available, courtesy of Concord Police.

“As we see more and more people on their bicycles, we want to ensure that everyone, especially our young riders, have a proper fitting helmet and are aware of the rules of the road,” Chief O’Connor said. “A big thanks to ATA Cycle of Concord for working with us on this event for another year in a row.”

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Melrose Police Receive Grant to Enhance Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety

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Melrose Police Department
Michael L. Lyle, Chief
56 W. Foster St.
Melrose, MA 02176

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 9, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Melrose Police Receive Grant to Enhance Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle is pleased to announce that the Melrose Police Department recently received a grant to improve traffic safety on local roads for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The grant is administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research – Highway Safety Division.

The $5,502.81 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be used to pay for overtime enforcement to increase traffic law compliance by all road users. The Melrose Police Department is also eligible to purchase equipment to enhance the visibility of crosswalks and to buy bicycle helmets.

With nearly 6,000 pedestrians killed in 2016 across the country, pedestrians now account for a larger proportion (16 percent) of traffic fatalities than they have in the past 33 years. In Massachusetts, that rate is even higher, with pedestrians representing more than 20 percent of all traffic fatalities. Nationally, bicyclists are also dying at a higher rate. In 2016, 840 individuals were killed on the roads–the highest number of fatalities since 1991.

“We are pleased to receive this grant which will help us keep the community safe,” said Chief Lyle. “The change of seasons means more pedestrians and bicyclists are out on the roads and we want to minimize accidents so that all people can get to where they need to be without any problems.”

Melrose was one of 84 police departments to receive part of the $375,000 in funding specifically provided to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the Commonwealth.

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Former BMX Stunt Champion Chris Poulos Visits Hull Elementary School for “Everyday Hero” Presentation

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Hull Public Schools
Michael F. Devine, Superintendent
180 Harborview Road
Hull, MA 02045

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

 Former BMX Stunt Champion Chris Poulos Visits Hull Elementary School for “Everyday Hero” Presentation

HULL — Lillian M. Jacobs Elementary School students received a special visit last week from former BMX bicycle stunt champion and motivational speaker Chris Poulos during their Spirit Day assembly.

The monthly assemblies are designed to celebrate school spirit and give students the opportunity to discuss topics relevant to what’s going on in the building.

On Friday, April 27, students gathered in the gymnasium to listen to Poulos’ speech, titled “Everyday Hero: The Guide to Being an Upstander,” which he delivered while riding around and performing tricks.

“Chris’ emphasis on kindness, friendship and respect aligned well with the Jacobs School core values and emphasis on the growth mindset,” Assistant Principal Kyle Shaw said. “His presentation was interactive and compelling, and you could tell just by watching students that they were taking in everything he had to say.”

His presentation, which focused on safety, respect and the importance of pursuing your dreams, included several key points for students to keep in mind.

Be respectful of others: Be nice to people, cooperate and use kind words. One of Jacobs core values is “I will respect others,” so the group discussed how to earn respect. (Don’t be a bully, help someone in need, share, etc.)
Practice: Hard work pays off, so always do your best. Some stunts took Poulos weeks, months and even years to learn and master. Persevering through adversity leads to success.
Be a thinker: If you made a mistake, how would you do something differently if you had to do it again?
Don’t be afraid to apologize: Use courage to say you’re sorry when you do something wrong.
Be safe: Wear a helmet, use a seat belt, walk (don’t run) in the hallways. Listen to adults and teachers. Their words of wisdom are meant to keep you safe.
Make new friends: Poulos demonstrated with a group of students how to invite a new person into a group.

“I learned to be kind to everyone,” said a first grade student Maggie Jones after Poulos’ performance.

“I learned to be safe on a bike by wearing a helmet,” added first grade student Tess Schultz.

About Chris Poulos:

Growing up as a kid with a lot of energy, Poulos quickly realized he was able to focus that energy on perfecting a skill, which he turned into an acclaimed career. He has won 85 worldwide competitions, but is most well-known for winning the international 1991 Bicycle Stunt World Championship and 1990 and 1991 National Bicycle Stunt Championships. Poulos now travels to schools as a motivational speaker, talking about subjects like overcoming fear, respect and finding balance in everyday life.

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Great Barrington Extends Commitment to Cyclists With New Bicycle Maintenance Station

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Town of Great Barrington
Jennifer Tabakin, Town Manager
Town Hall
334 Main St.
Great Barrington, MA 01230

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 8, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Great Barrington Extends Commitment to Cyclists With New Bicycle Maintenance Station

The bicycle maintenance and repair station is now available for residents to use. (Photo Courtesy Karen Smith, Great Barrington Parks and Recreation Committee Chair)

GREAT BARRINGTON — The Selectboard is pleased to announce that the Town of Great Barrington has continued to build upon its welcoming atmosphere for cyclists by installing a bicycle repair and maintenance stand outside Town Hall.

The Dero Bike Fixit stand, which was installed last month to complement the bike lanes on Main Street, supports Great Barrington’s ongoing efforts to encourage more residents to bike rather than drive along town roads.

“The repair and maintenance station is one of several initiatives we’ve pursued to make the town more welcoming for bicyclists,” Department of Public Works Superintendent Sean VanDeusen said. “It will be a helpful asset to all of the cyclists in town, and will encourage more people to ride bikes in town.”

Cyclists in town now have access to an assortment of tools, including flathead and Philips head screwdrivers, 2-8 millimeter Allen wrenches, 8-32 millimeter box wrenches, two tire levers and a full service air pump with a gauge, all of which are attached to the Fixit stand.

“The Parks and Recreation Commission is working to make Great Barrington a cyclist friendly town. The addition of the Fixit stand is a start, and we hope to do more,” Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Karen Smith said. “Having more cyclists on the road is a great thing for our community.”

Great Barrington is home to several bike-friendly events. In August, cyclists participated in the Berkshire Bike-N-Fly, which included a 20, 35 and 52–mile fun ride.

Berkshire Bike and Board will host a flat tire clinic on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. at the Fixit Station, teaching attendees how the newly-installed stand can be a resource for cyclists of all ages and ability levels.

On Sept. 17, riders from around the region will be on hand for the 41st Annual Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon, which begins in Great Barrington and winds through several neighboring communities. 

Then, On Sept. 23, the Berkshire Bike Council invites cyclists to ride the Berkshire section of the Western New England Greenway from Sheffield to Williamstown, or just a portion of the 57-mile route. The Western New England Greenway is a multi-segment bicycle route that stretches from southern Connecticut to the Canadian border.

The ride is designed for experienced road cyclists with minimum support, allowing cyclists to complete as much of the route as they like at a speed they are comfortable riding. Reservations are recommended and can be made by emailing [email protected].

“I am really excited about all of the ways cyclists can continue to be active this fall,” Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin said. “The rolling hills and country roads in southern Berkshire County make our area a gorgeous place to ride.”

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