from Eric Ask, Milton Bicycle Advisory Committee

I’m writing to remind your readers to think twice before putting their bicycle away at the end of the summer. The Milton Bicycle Advisory Committee, DPW, Police Department and others in Town Government have worked hard to assure the streets of Milton are safe for cycling with bike lanes, sharrows and enforced speed limits, while the common destinations (business districts, library, public parks) have conveniently located bike racks.

Bicycling is good for your wallet (think car parking, gas, insurance, maintenance…), good for your health and good for the environment. With stop lights, congestion and the hunt for a parking spot, you may even find that your bicycle trip to the bank, coffee shop, post office or gym, is faster than driving the car.

With the kids heading back to school I’d also like to encourage parents/guardians to consider allowing their children to walk or bike to school. Again, this decreases congestion, provides greater quality time with children if parents/guardians join them and promotes exercise and healthy habits for their future. All four public elementary schools and the Pierce Middle School are members of the Safe Routes to School program, a federally funded, state administered program which promotes walking and cycling to school. Second graders receive pedestrian safety training and fourth graders receive bicycle safety training as part of PE curriculum. The health and success of this program relies on parent involvement so please contact your PTO and school principal for morinformation. Don’t forget, October 3 is International Walk/Bike to school day.

Best wishes and safe cycling,

Erick Ask
Milton Bicycle Advisory Committee
Milton Safe Routes to School proponent