So, I joined the Lewiston-Auburn Bicycle Pedestrian Committee.
It’s a new committee that was created to essentially help develop walking and bike-friendly transportation in the big cities.
As a Lewiston resident, runner, and dog walker, I felt qualified enough to join the committee. I talk to work most days a week, run on Lewiston roads most days a week, and cycle on Lewiston roads … at least a couple times a month (I wish I could more). Auburn too. So I know a lot about how to get around on your feet in this area.
I decided to join for two reasons:
First, because I have a vested interest in making sure this is a walkable area, and
Second, because I feel like I owe Lewiston something. It wasn’t until I moved here, and joined a workplace/community with a lot of active people, that I really was able to change my fitness and my life.
I spent my early years in Philadelphia, where everyone walks. My family moved to Bangor when I was 14, and my only desire when we moved was that my parents would pick a neighborhood that was walkable.
So I’m not going to blame my parents for being overweight as a teenager, but there is a correlation between being overweight and living in a rural area. It wasn’t until I moved to Lewiston 10 years later that I was really able to to make walking a part of my daily routine.
Also, this little guy helped:
I started, really out of shape, just walking our new puppy through our neighborhood for an hour a night. I loved living in a walkable place again.
I really do think its more than a urban vs. rural, though. The Twin Cities are a special place. We have a great community of active people here. There are two half marathons here this summer; the Dempsey Challenge; the Maine Track club coaching is in Auburn (and the Maine Cycling Club is based out of Auburn). My employer, a major one in this community, is a company that really values employee health and fitness. We have a beautiful Riverwalk and access to lots of beautiful, low-traffic areas to run and cycle.
So I’d like to do something to combat the Dirty Lew image and do more to show: Hey! L-A is a great place full of places to be outside and healthy.
I’ll let you know how the first meeting goes tonight. And if you live in L-A and have things you want changed, let me know.