There are plenty of good reasons to hope for a more bikeable Beacon. To name a few:

1) Improved safety (for drivers and pedestrians as well as for cyclists)
2) Reduced traffic congestion
3) Greater equity for people who can’t afford a car or don’t want to drive around for small errands.
4) Bikes are fun :)

In this interview, Meg Lazaros, one of the founders of the Beacon Bicycle Coalition, discusses the work being done to improve Beacon’s roads for bike use. Beacon Bicycle Coation was founded to advocate for bike infrastructure, including both short-term improvements and changes to our comprehensive plan that could enshrine a cycling ethos in Beacon’s vision for its own future. They also organize fun group rides on the last Thursday of every month.

Shining through this discussion of “the issues” is the pure joy Meg gets from riding bikes.

Learn more about Beacon Bicycle Colation and sign the petition at https://bikebeacon.org/. And, follow them on Instagram for information on group rides and other events: https://www.instagram.com/beacon.bicycle.coalition/

Related: New York recently granted $100,000 to study the viability of a bike-sharing program that would connect Beacon and Newburgh. One of the recipients of that grant is Thomas Wright, a leading voice for biking and sustainability (and a former Beaconites guest). You can help this effort by taking their survey. Visit https://tally.so/r/nW1XZP