Pedal & Paces Podcast

In this podcast, we are diving into the world of New Hampshire transportation with Gerry Bedard, the active transportation Engineer for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. Gerry shares his unique journey into this role from civil engineer to teaching and even being a stay-at-home dad, all while embracing active commutes.  We’ll explore the ins and outs of the New Hampshire DOT, the exciting initiatives of the Complete Streets policy, the state’s pedestrian and bike plan, and how we all can contribute to more accessible communities. Get ready to rethink your commute and discover the future of active transportation in the Granite State.For a transcript and links, please visit https://www.bwanh.org/podcasts/

 Today, we are happy to share our second podcast with you.  Our goal for this podcast is to enhance our mission of educating, advocating, and celebrating all things related to bike and pedestrian safety, while doing so in an entertaining way.  In this podcast, we are excited to have Emma Smith, who recently biked the East Coast Greenway.  She will share her journey with us.  Then, our second guest is Paul Citak, who worked with the town of New Boston and the state of New Hampshire to install ten 3-foot pass signs.  How are these two guests related to each other?  Motivation.  Emma and Paul wanted to accomplish something and worked at it until the task was complete.  I hope that after listening to their stories, you feel motivated to take action on something important to you.

In this exciting first episode of the Pedal & Paces Podcast, we welcome Jen Dodge.  Not only is she a Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire board member, but she is a victim of a car crash, while riding her bike on a group bike ride.  She will share her story of ups and downs with you.  Her crash happened on August 19, 2014.  Since then, she started a blog called "Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist" as a form of therapy for herself but also to help others. She is a certified Special Education teacher and an avid cyclist. Jen uses her own story to encourage people to become informed about the invisible disability of a brain injury and to be kind to cyclists, promoting the "Share the Road" initiative.  Please visit her blog at https://confessionsofaconcussedcyclist.com/.Additionally, Jen and I discuss a vital group ride scheduled for this Wednesday, May 21st.  It is the Ride of Silence.  The ride exists to honor bicyclists injured or killed by motorists, to promote sharing the road, and to raise awareness about bicycling safety. Jen is hosting the only organized ride in NH. To learn more, please visit https://rideofsilence.org/main.php. I hope you enjoy this podcast, and thank you for listening!