LivablePoconos http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog Just another weblog Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:37:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 en The Importance of Having a Bicycling Community http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/09/14/the-importance-of-having-a-bicycling-community/ http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/09/14/the-importance-of-having-a-bicycling-community/#comments 0 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:37:01 +0000 Daniel Brodeen BrodeenPhoto http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/09/14/the-importance-of-having-a-bicycling-community/ With an abundance of public land in the Poconos we have the opportunity to expand our trail network considerably.  I spend a lot of time mountain biking just over the border in Morris County, they have a great selection of areas to mountain bike.  They obtain these areas through petitions and being organized.  The trails are maintained by the riders themselves.  One of the biggest objections the uninformed public has is that mountain biking is destructive.  It can be by a small majority but the core of riders that do the most riding are very informed on riding techniques to prevent damage to trails.  For instance, did you know that if you ride around a puddle it causes more damage than riding right through it? 

New Jersey has a great website called MTBNJ.com, it provides the platform for every rider in NJ to communicate.  You can log on and find when a group is riding, what the conditions are for a particular park, when a scheduled trail maintence session will be, etc..  This type of online network brings people together that have passion for a sport and who would otherwise never meet. 

At our disposal now in the Poconos we have only a few options for bike trails.  The McDade Trail in Shawnee offers a cinder path that is great for families and those looking to get a nice workout without anything technical.  Glen Park in Stroudsburg is a large trail network of unmarked trails with a lot of fire roads and technical single track.  It also is the only area you’ll find an opportunity for freeriding(cliffs,jumps,and man-made obstacles).  Then there is Big Pocono State Park which ajoins State Game Lands #38, this is a large area but only contains a few singletrack trails.  Only the trails in Big Pocono are mapped.  A newer area to the Poconos is Mt. Nebo.  Located near Shawnee, it is a small park with two official loops that total about 4 miles.  Mt. Nebo is a great place to learn mt. biking and get some experience on steaper terrain. 

As you can see we have 4 real opportunities within the greater Stroudsburg area.  We could have so much more though!  The Delaware Water Gap has thousands of acres of land but only the McDade trail.  Other state game land as well sits idle for most of the year when hunting seasons are closed. 

If you love riding and want to see the sport grow in our area we must get organized and be heard.  Bikers have every right to use public land if their is a population that wants it.  So let’s start a buzz, if your out riding stop and talk to every rider you see, take your kids to the McDade, post a bulletin at work to get a group ride going, etc., anything to get the ball rolling.  This group is a great start and I hope everyone spreads the work about it! 

]]> http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/09/14/the-importance-of-having-a-bicycling-community/feed/ IMBA is coming! This Thursday 9/10/09 http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/09/03/imba-is-coming-this-thursday-91009/ http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/09/03/imba-is-coming-this-thursday-91009/#comments 0 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:45:51 +0000 Scott Dietrich srdiet http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/09/03/imba-is-coming-this-thursday-91009/ imba.0.jpg

 

 I can’t wait we’ve got an awesome event coming up! The IMBA/Subaru Trail Care Crew is coming to visit and we’ve got a fun and informative afternoon planned!  Join us, bring your bikes 4 -6pm at The Smithfield Township Bldg (1155 Red Fox Rd. East Stroudsburg, PA 18301)   Click here to learn more!!

 

See you there!

 

-SD

 

  PS - Post a note below if you plan on coming!!

 

]]> http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/09/03/imba-is-coming-this-thursday-91009/feed/ National Trails Day - June 6th 2009!! http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/05/27/national-trails-day-june-6th-2009/ http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/05/27/national-trails-day-june-6th-2009/#comments 0 Thu, 28 May 2009 02:14:05 +0000 Scott Dietrich srdiet http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/05/27/national-trails-day-june-6th-2009/  

 nattrailsday-2009.jpg

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY® 2009

  

American Hiking Society’s signature trail awareness program, National Trails Day® (NTD), inspires the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out their favorite trails to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work projects.

 

NTD also provides an opportunity to thank volunteers, land managing agencies, and outdoor-minded businesses for their support in developing and maintaining trails. Click here for more information

 
Register Your Event Promotions and Partnerships
]]> http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/05/27/national-trails-day-june-6th-2009/feed/ Friday - Bike Riding Awareness Day!! http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/13/friday-bike-riding-awareness-day/ http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/13/friday-bike-riding-awareness-day/#comments 0 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:04:55 +0000 Scott Dietrich srdiet http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/13/friday-bike-riding-awareness-day/
  • Bicycling Day, April 17, in conjunction with Earth Day, a student initiative. Bicycling to campus will be encouraged that day and discussions will be held on the Quad from 1 PM to 5 PM.

    • Students, Faculty and Staff who are planning to ride to school are encouraged to:

    1. Compute their Commute at http://www.drivelesslivemore.org
    2. Email Name, Starting Location and Commute Results to sdietrich@po-box.esu.edu
    3. Check in at the booth on the Quad between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM for recognition and a free gift!
    ]]>     http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/13/friday-bike-riding-awareness-day/feed/     Livable Poconos - Speaking Events! http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/07/livable-poconos-speaking-events/ http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/07/livable-poconos-speaking-events/#comments 0 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:31:10 +0000 Scott Dietrich srdiet http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/07/livable-poconos-speaking-events/

    Great News!

    We are beginning the speaking engagements to help raise awareness/support about the need for complete streets in the Poconos!

    I will be speaking @

    Monroe Commuinty 4 Change Meeting

    Wednesday April 22nd 2009 @ 7pm

    Monroe Public Library

     

    Upcoming Events!!

    * Aardvark Sports Shop - Main Street Stroudsburg

    * Mountain Valley Cycles - East Stroudsburg

    * Pocono Area Runners Club - Monroe Safety Building

     

    WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AT THE SMITHFIELD TWP PROPOSED OFFICIAL MAPS - PUBLIC MEETING!

    (Date & Time - To Be Announced)

    (MAY or JUNE)




    ]]>     http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/07/livable-poconos-speaking-events/feed/     Livable Pocono’s Links! http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/07/livable-poconos-links/ http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/07/livable-poconos-links/#comments 0 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:12:43 +0000 Scott Dietrich srdiet http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/blog/2009/04/07/livable-poconos-links/ 1) Livable Streets Initiative!

        http://www.livablestreets.com

        http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/livablepoconos/summary

    2) SmartGrowth Videos from around the world!

        http://www.streetfilms.org

    3) Bikes Belong!

        http://www.bikesbelong.org

    4) Bike Friendly Action Plan

        http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/pdf/Action.pdf

    5) Rails-With-Trails: “Lessons Learned” Federal RWT study

        http://www.altaplanning.com/App_Content/files/Rails with Trails lessons learned.pdf

    6) Katalyst Sport for Social Change

        http://kevincarrollkatalyst.com/about

    7) Community Bike Works

         http://www.communitybikeworks.org

    8) American Hiking Society

        https://americanhiking.org/index.aspx

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