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Arts4BikePaths
There's a new
coalition riding into town, and it's quickly becoming a well-oiled
machine. "Arts4BikePaths " is an alliance of environmentalists,
bicyclists, and artists that held its first annual event on April
21, 2006 in conjunction with Earth Day. Arts4BikePaths' mission
is to coordinate art shows and other events to raise money for future
multi-use trail projects in Charlottesville or Albemarle County.
Arts4BikePaths
Art Show
During the
Arts4BikePaths annual event, local art galleries welcome visitors
to view special shows, and artists contribute a portion of sales
to the cause. This year included a reception at the McGuffey Art
Center and the Community Space as well as open exhibits at many
galleries, such as Bozart, Les Yeux Du Monde, the John Russeau Gallery,
La Galleria, Creature Gallery, Art Upstairs, and Betty’s at
Belmont. Despite dreary weather, the event was a great success and
our group raised over $1,200.
Great
Potential for Transportation Alternatives in Our Community
Currently,
the Charlottesville area has few trails with limited accessibility
for bicycle transportation. Most of the Rivanna Trail is not designed
for bicycles. The bicycle lanes in the city represent a proactive
attitude on the part of local government, but are often unsafe and
discontinuous and therefore uninviting for many bicyclists. This
is unfortunate in a college town with a thriving downtown, where
most residents desire active lifestyles and the potential is great
for transportation alternatives.
Growing
Environmental Concerns
With growing
concerns about traffic, air quality, global warming, sustainable
development, neighborhood models, gasoline prices, and public health,
more attention is being paid to creating and maintaining bicycling
programs. The Arts4BikePaths coalition is a year-round local fundraiser
which promotes, supports, and contributes to this purpose.
Arts4BikePaths
Organizers
Linda Capacchione,
local cyclist, artist, psychotherapist, and coordinator for Arts4BikePaths,
states, “It is amazing how willing everyone has been to become
involved in this movement, and it just shows how excited people
are for more bicycle facilities. Alia Anderson, the Executive Director
of the Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation, adds, “There
is no reason why Charlottesville should not have a wide, paved multi-use
trail that connects downtown to Forrest Lakes or even beyond. This
trail would be accessible to everyone, including commuter cyclists,
families who love to bike or rollerblade for fun, and people in
wheelchairs. Our local planners have considered such a trail for
years, but it will take significant public support to actually make
it happen.”
A
Recent Federal Bill Clears the Path for Biking and Walking
The $286 billion
highway transportation bill signed in August 2005 dedicates $4.5
billion to bicycling and walking projects, a sharp increase of 2
billion from the $2.5 billion spent under the previous transportation
law. . Mayor Darwin Hindman of Columbia, Missouri was recently granted
$25 million in Federal money to spend on improving bicycling and
walking routes in his community over the next 5 years. To
access this federal grant money, cities must be able to "match"
federal dollars with local funds.
“This
is a very positive time for bicycling in this country. A lot of
things are coming together,” states director of Bikes
Belong, a national industry group.
Dear Community
of Charlottesville,
Many of
us citizens believe that it is essential that our community unite
together to support the development of walking and bicycle routes.
Are you aware that the bicycling industry is becoming more effective
in its lobbying efforts in Washington? Together, we could make a
difference in our Charlottesville community and become a local and
global model for utilizing environmental-friendly natural energy
resources for transportation and recreation.
Thank you
for your support,
Linda Capacchione
Chair, Art4BikePaths
Arts4BikePaths
is a project of the Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation
(ACCT). Monies from this fund will be raised and spent to
match city, county, state, and federal grant monies for a bridge
and/or pedestrian-bike path construction expenses.
How
to get involved:
Come to one of our events, buy some beautiful art, and know that
you are helping Charlottesville to become more bike-friendly! ACCT
sends out monthly e-mails to keep people posted on current events,
which will included art shows and charity concerts for Arts4BikePaths.
If you would like to receive these e-mails, contact Alia
Anderson at ACCT.
Arts4BikePaths is completely volunteer-driven. Please consider
joining our committee- we do important work and always have a good
time! To join, e-mail Linda
Capacchione.
How
to donate money:
Donations
to Arts4BikePaths are tax-deductible. Write personal checks
to: ACCT and write “Arts4BikePaths Fund” in the memo
blank. Please mail donation checks to:
ACCT
P.O. Box 1582
Charlottesville, VA 22902
How
to donate art:
Because
ACCT is a registered non-profit organization, donations
of art are tax deductible. If you want information about
donating some of your origial art work to benefit Arts4BikePaths,
please contact Linda
Capacchione, (434) 296-1338.
For additional information, go to www.earthweek.org
or e-mail
Zachary Shahan,
ACCT Executive Director.
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