To the Editor:

The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is an all-volunteer regional group that has been promoting completion of the South Coast Bikeway for the last five years. We urge all supporters of bicycling in Wareham to come out and support their work at their 5th Annual Bike Summit which takes place March 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at White's of Westport, 66 State Road, just a short hop down I-195. Entitled "Building the Bicycle Culture," the Summit is an inspirational gathering of local leaders and bicycling enthusiasts. The keynote speaker is Nicole Freedman, the former Olympic bicycle racer and current director of Bike Boston.

"Bicycle culture" is made of recreational riders, racers, kids, commuters and mountain bikers. It is club riders and individuals. A strong bike culture makes bicycling more visible and encourages bicyclists to be more vocal about the need for better infrastructure. Better bicycling is good for our health, our local economy, our recreational opportunities, and our quality of life.

Here in Wareham, we have made good progress in striping bike lanes on Onset Avenue. That work needs to continue so that more people will make bicycling a regular part of their day. We need to be visible and vocal not only in town, but at a regional level so that state transportation funding will go to this worthy cause, which pays immediate dividends to residents for a fraction of the investment required for "car-centric" improvements.

Please come to the Summit, show your support, meet other supporters and do your part.

Sincerely,

Eileen Allgor

South Coast Bikeway Alliance, Inc.