Bike Month NYC Updates

I just received the following e-mail from Transportation Alternatives and thought it would be good info to share.


Greetings Bike Month NYC Team!

Transportation Alternatives has been working hard to organize the 2010 Bike Month NYC Campaign, and we thank you for all of your help. This year, we had the pleasure of working with NYC & Co. and the New York City Department of Transportation in developing many of the details. They're great partners. We hope you love what we've done!

The Bike Month NYC calendar is online now, but you can make last minute changes, so if your event's details are sketchy, be sure make your changes soon. Or if you forgot to add your event, please take this moment to register at BikeMonthNYC.org.

To show our gratitude for all of your help and hard work, we'd like to invite you to the official 2010 Bike Month NYC Launch Party on May 1st from 1-5 pm at Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 1). We're throwing it in collaboration with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, the Department of Transportation, Recycle-a-Bicycle, Bike New York, the New York Police Department and T.A.'s volunteer committees, so it's sure to be an awesome event, as well as an opportunity to hang out with great people.

Some of the activities we have lined up for the day include:
1. Guided rides from each borough by T.A. volunteer committees. Check out locations and start times here
2. Learn to Ride for Kids, by Bike New York (register your child here)
3. NYC Cycle Maps by the Department of Transportation
4. Light bike repair by Recycle-a-Bicycle
5. Bike registration by the NYPD
6. Biking Rules PSA 2009 Film Festival Screening by Transportation Alternatives

This is also your chance to pick up Bike Month NYC Calendars, Biking Rules handbooks and the new NYC Cycling Map for your organization or for yourself.

If you can't join us for the party, you can request a calendar at BikeMonthNYC.org or if you need more than 10, swing by our office located at 127 West 26th Street, Suite 1002.

Best of luck with your event and bike often!

Nora Peña
Events Director
Transportation Alternatives

E-mail: FreeSails! New on Board! Share Ideas!

Thanks to Bonnie over at Frogma who forwarded me this e-mail from PortSide New York detailing Free Sails on Clipper City.


The e-mail says the following:

PortSide NewYork wishes to announce, and invite you to, another great Atlantic Basin event:  a series of 4 days of free sailings on the USA's s largest passenger sailing vessel.

 
FreeSails on Clipper City!

USA's largest passenger sailing vessel

PortSide NewYork, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and Manhattan By Sail Inc. are making available 550 free tickets for sails on the Clipper City Tall Ship, a 158' long topsail schooner.

The Clipper City Tall Ship will depart from Pier 11, Atlantic Basin, next to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The ship can take up to 145 passengers at a time.  Rides are about one and a half hours long and will depart on the following days and times:

Fri 4/30 10:00 a.m.
Sat 5/1 10:00 a.m.
Fri 5/7 10:00 a.m.
Sat 5/8 10:00 a.m.

As of Fri 4/16/10, 240 free tickets will be distributed via the web here. This is inaugural event for the season. Other summer programs will be announced in early May.Tickets are limited to two per person. Tickets at Community Board 6 that have not been picked up 3 days before the sail, will become available on line.

Directions to Atlantic Basin Note: cars enter at Bowne + Imlay Street. Pedestrians can enter there or gate at Pioneer + Conover Streets.

More info on this program at our Maritime Hub Events page or call 718-852-0821.

Bonnie also asked me to mention that PortSide is always looking for volunteers. If you are into sailing or being on the water this could be an awesome opportunity. For more information check out PortSide's Volunteer Webpage.

One of my Favorite Things

Do you ever wander around the city parks and look at the dedications on park benches?

Well, if you don't, you should. I find it to be one of the most inspirational and relaxing activities in this city. And because I believe in sharing inspiration here are a few of my favorites:

 "Enjoy a moment of peace- The Quinns"

"Angie, Have I asked you to marry me yet today? Love, Mike"

This one is just so sweet!

"With gratitude
Glorious, glorious Central Park
Lovely oasis of beauty and inspiration

A photographer's delight - Joan Wolfson"

Couldn't agree more with this one.

"Sit. Relax. Take a deep breath. Enjoy the Day. Linda C. Kobefitsch"

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive: to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.- Marcus Aurelius   From the family of John R. Fernbach"

I love these little phrases. They always remind me to live each day to the fullest, especially those benches that are dedicated to the memory of someone who loved the city parks. I hope you are inspired to enjoy your surroundings and take a moment each day to to be thankful for the little things in life.

May is Bike Month in NYC

Take note: May is Bike Month in New York, a month long celebration of cycling.

Bike Month NYC has not posted any events yet but I contacted Transportation Alternatives and their response to my e-mail was: 

We will be launching the website in the third week of April. All of the events will be posted and available online. The print calendars will be distributed throughout the boroughs beginning next week. We hope that you enjoy Bike Month 2010!

I will be excited to see what events are happening this year.

Additionally, the organization's "bike tips" are pretty good. I was pleased to see that they posted bicycling laws, which included a reminder to all to not only wear a helmet but also not to ride on the sidewalks if you are over the age of 12 and not to wear headphones.One of my pet-peeves in this city is that so many people ride on the side-walks and I have seen dogs and people hit because the bike rider was unable to stop or they were wearing headphones and not paying attention. So while I try to keep this blog cheery and enthusiastic, I am also enthusiastic about personal safety and the safety of those around you... so please remember to wear a helmet, stay off the sidewalks and park foot paths and don't ride with headphones. 

And back to our regularly scheduled programing:

Bike Month NYC posted links on their web-site to NYC Century Bike Tour's bike rental page (very helpful if, like me, you do not keep your bike in town but occasionally find yourself wanting to feel the wind on your face and go for a ride).

And on a related note, please note that the NYC Century Tour event will take place on September 12, 2010 and registration is now open.

How do you plan on celebrating Bike Month??

Run for the Parks

Think and run green on April 18th at 8:00 AM in a 4-mile race that supports City Parks Foundation.

Proceeds from the day benefit CPF's free citywide programs.

You can bring the whole family to participate in the kids' races and have fun at the post-race reception. What's the ideal location for your Sunday run? Central Park, of course.
 
Register Here

Two Great Articles on City Parks

I was very pleased to hear through the New York Times that the City will be taking control of Governor's Island. I know Leslie Koch, President of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation, and have heard her speak at a number of events. She has really been a driving force behind the recent revitalization the park and I think the City's control of the Island will only further the process.

According to the NY Times:

Image: Artist's rendering of of the Shell on Governor's Island, from New York City Takes Over Governors Island

"As part of the announcement, the city unveiled a new plan to continue to redevelop much of the island as a public park, adding amenities, green space and making improvements to the 2.2-mile promenade that offers sweeping views of New York Harbor. The city, which will be primarily responsible for developing and operating the island, said it has already committed $41.5 million to the project."

For more information on Governor's Island, how to get there and the activities available on the island check out the website (http://www.govisland.com/).

The second article is a lovely tribute to Tupper Thomas, who recently announced her retirement, and her role in the rejuvenation of Prospect Park. To read more: Returning Prospect Park to the People.

April is Million Trees Month

Learn more here: Million Trees NYC

Now go get your planting on!


P.S. Million Trees also pointed me towards this article from the New York Times... It might be considered disorderly conduct, but I guess I am just incredibly disorderly. Don't believe me? The scars on my knees and shins from being a kid and climbing every tree I could find will prove it!