BRATTLEBORO — Have you noticed in this last month that there are more people out walking and riding bikes and there are fewer cars on the road?
The quieter, calmer streets make this a good time to practice cycling your usual car routes in order to gain skill and confidence. Once you've practiced several times, you may feel ready to commute on your bike when social distancing ends.
A Portland, Ore. physical education teacher suggested this idea, noting all the benefits that adequate physical activity provides.
Burlington is one of many cities closing some streets to through traffic and banning parking on others to allow more space for social distancing. An idea for Brattleboro, perhaps?
An 11-year-old from Michigan who has been riding his bike to school with his dad since kindergarten had a goal: to accumulate 1,000 miles on his rides to school. When schools closed early this spring, he was so close to his goal that he continued to ride to school and back every day until he reached his 1,000 miles!
Might these stories and ideas stimulate us to consider becoming less reliant on our cars?
One safety caveat for cyclists and pedestrians: Please be vigilant for speeding cars.
For motorists: Please be vigilant for all users of the road, and always drive the speed limit or slower!