"First wave" e-bike & cargo riders waving (& yipping) on the 1st Brattleboro Bike Rollcall. Ready for the 2nd wave? This past weekend VBike held its 1st Brattleboro Bike Rollcall to showcase the e-cargo bike and e-bike riders in Brattleboro. This event brought together a fine sampling of some of the inspired "first wave" of adopters - families, households, seniors and others – that are bringing an amazing level of recognition to Brattleboro (and to its bike shops) as an exciting leader in innovative bike transportation solutions.
Best of all we're leaving behind a 1950's model of car-centric lifestyles and moving forward with a way to get around that actually nourishes our relationships to our bodies, improves our communities, keeps us local, provides us with an appropriate response to the realities of the 21st century, and is just a thrill that keeps our senses in the world rather than confined to the interior of an automobile.
Some of the "first wave" riders. And so, from only a handful of e-bikes and cargo bikes in town just 3 years ago to currently about 60 e-bikes and 15 electric cargo bikes, Brattleboro has become the epicenter in a movement to “reboot the bike” for transportation in Vermont. This increase is largely VBike’s Take it Home program, allowing Brattleboro area residents to take home one of our fleet e-cargo bike or e-bike for up to a full week. We've also been hard at work providing free bike consultations to Vermonters and helping bike shops to become Green Mobility Centers rather than just selling us the bike as a toy.
E-bikes and cargo bikes lined up at the Coop. Saturday's Bike Rollcall started at the Brattleboro Coop with warm drinks and snacks on a beautiful but nippy morning.. As the bikes kept coming and folks were connecting, the celebration of the moment became more and more apparent. Before taking off for a fun ride to the Farmer's Market, we were treated to a lovely address from Rep. Mollie Burke. As a longtime member of the House Committee on Transportation, Rep. Burke has been instrumental promoting vital transportation options for Vermont and was key in helping VBike to develop a groundbreaking contract with Go Vermont, our state alternative transportation agency and a wing of VTrans.
Our ride to the Farmer's Market took us on a tour back and forth through downtown Brattleboro, with lots of bell ringing and joyful yelps. We decided that we would ride single file for the majority of the trip to keep everyone safe. With a bunch of electric cargo bikes (some with kids on board) and e-bikes riders (Norm Skorstad had a trailer with his dog in tow), we primarily wanted to show how much fun this whole thing is. And after stopping at the Creamery Bridge for an animated photo opportunity, we rolled on over to the Farmer's Market and gathered right in the center for yet another pic. The folks at the market were excited to see the first wave come in for a spell, but they really haven't seen anything yet.
Rep Mollie Burke, right, rode with all us. Rep Mollie Burke states that the "VBike is making it possible for people to consider the bicycle as a primary means of transportation in Vermont. This holds out hope for cutting carbon emissions, reducing congestion, improving air quality, promoting physical activity, and changing the nature of our social interactions. VBike is not only transforming the bicycle, it is transforming the way we think about transportation. I am thrilled to be a part of this effort." We're thrilled to have Mollie on board with us, too!
VBike is now setting the stage for a second wave of human-powered assisted vehicles in the spring 2017 by greatly expanding our electric cargo bike fleet and developing a fleet of e-bikes and e-trikes for seniors and people with special needs. It all about bike mobility without limitations. We want to transcend as much as possible age, skill level, physical shape, family size, or biking experience. We're also working on developing an extensive project in Burlington (more on that in another post) and will be extending our work to towns like Bellows Falls and Bethel. We'll also be doing some exciting things in other places that start with letters other than "B".
VBike is now setting the stage for a second wave of human-powered assisted vehicles in the spring 2017 by greatly expanding our electric cargo bike fleet and developing a fleet of e-bikes and e-trikes for seniors and people with special needs. It all about bike mobility without limitations. We want to transcend as much as possible age, skill level, physical shape, family size, or biking experience. We're also working on developing an extensive project in Burlington (more on that in another post) and will be extending our work to towns like Bellows Falls and Bethel. We'll also be doing some exciting things in other places that start with letters other than "B".
Who's ready for the second wave??
 It was cold at the Coop, but we had lots of warm company. |  The Brattleboro Farmer's Market is a great destination! |
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