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

Lena Rizkallah has carved out a niche giving financial advice to women in their 40s and 50s, often helping them navigate transitional moments in their lives. For these clients — who may be going through a divorce, starting a businesses or taking on a new creative project — Lena helps frame out a financial plan that can enable the vision. “Money equals freedom,” she says.

Born to Palestinian parents who immigrated to the US and raised in a suburb of Washington D.C., Lena followed a winding path to Beacon.

In this interview, we talk about:

• The Gaza catastrophe through the eyes of a second-generation Palestinian immigrant

• Lena’s decision to give up a career as an Immigration lawyer to work in finance

• Her “moving to Beacon” story as a single woman, and why she kept her NYC apartment

• Her panels and speakeasies focused on women and female business owners

• What Gen X women have in common; common money mistakes; "Think big"

• The current investment climate; why economic doomerism is wrong

Lena's website: https://www.lenarizkallah.com/

Photo by Michael Isabell: https://www.michaelisabell.com/
Beaconites is recorded at Beacon AV Lab: https://www.beaconavlab.com/

Our interview with Sergei Krasikov is a must-listen if you’re into trails, open spaces, water sheds and being outside in any weather.

Originally from Belarus, Sergei has made Beacon his home in every sense. He is a community builder and civic volunteer with a special focus on land conservation. As the chair of the Conservation Advisory Committee and founder of the Fishkill Creek Watershed Alliance, he has advanced a city-wide composting program, trail clearing, a water testing program and more. Right now he’s focused on an inventory of open spaces that could eventually be adopted into the city’s comprehensive plan.

On top of all that, Sergei is running for City Council for the consequential 2026-2028 term.

City business aside, it’ll come as no surprise that Sergei is an active outdoorsman – a trail runner, swimmer, cross-country skier and yogi. We spent a chunk of this interview talking about things listeners can do outside in Beacon and surrounding areas.

Links and further reading:

Earth Day cleanup. The CAC is organizing its annual Sat April 26 Earth Day clean up, trail clearing & riparian buffer planting followed by a Green Fair at Hudson Valley Brewery. More info at: https://www.greenbeaconcoalition.org

Water testing. The Fishkill Creek Watershed Alliance, in partnership with Bard College Community Science Lab, Riverkeeper and Beacon Institute, is starting a community water quality testing program throughout the watershed this May. They're currently seeking volunteers to help collect samples that will be tested for metals, chemicals, biological markers and more. More info at https://www.fishkillwatershed.org

Photos by Michael Isabell: https://www.michaelisabell.com/
Beaconites is recorded at Beacon AV Lab: https://www.beaconavlab.com/