What is the Built Environment?

The “Built Environment” refers to the, planning and infrastructure of our landscapes including but not limited to, cities, towns, transportation ways, technological infrastructure and more.  Moreover in our context the Built Environment refers to the impact of this infrastructure in terms of the health and wellness of human populations and natural environments.  Work being done under the “Built Environment umbrella” includes a wide range of policy, infrastructure and planning initiatives that aim to incorporate a whole approach to our built infrastructures.

What Do We Do?

Infrastructure Initiatives:

The first initiative focuses on infrastructure changes that help support and promote an active healthy lifestyle.  Through the establishment of a City Walking Committee we are currently working on projects such as bike lanes, updated sidewalks and crosswalks, increased lighting and more.  These initiatives aim to promote physical activity through infrastructure changes.

Policy Work:

In collaboration with the City Walking Committee we are currently working on a complete streets policy that aims to create a series of guidelines that every infrastructure project follows in order to ensure the widest range of traffic is accommodated.  This means making intersections friendly to bikes and pedestrians as well as motor vehicles.  This policy will help ensure that our streets are complete and that all modes of transportation are supported and promoted.

Health and Wellness Initiatives:

We currently have many health and wellness programs that teach the community about the benefits of physical activity and give a basic overview of nutrition and exercise. We currently offer health and wellness workshops and do special informational events with schools and local organizations.  Some of the specific programs are described here:

Bike Shop

In the summer of 2010 a group of community members and agency allies came together to offer a once a week workshop to teach youth and community members about bikes.  The “Open Bike Shop” covered a wide range of topics from how to fix a flat, to installing new breaks, to the health benefits and safety precautions to use when riding a bicycle.  The Open Bike Shop program was so popular that it lead to the creation of several more specific programs catered to the needs identified by community members.

Earn-A-Bike Program

In the fall of 2010 and Spring of 2011 we reformatted the “Open Bike Shop” into several different programs.  The first was the Earn-A-Bike program that offers individuals the opportunity to enroll in a free 5-8 week program that leads them through the steps of building a bike from scratch.  Each week participants complete a lesson plan that earns them a new part to their bike.  By the end of the workshop each participant has built a bike to keep.  In the first 3 months of this program over 30 individuals earned a bike, and more than double this number will complete bikes in 2011.

Ride-A-Bike Program

In conjunction with the Earn-A-Bike program we developed a program for younger community members that focuses on basic mechanics and safe riding techniques. Here youth and community members learn to ride a bike, while developing their knowledge of preventative maintenance and safety.  In addition they earn themselves a bike by participating in all of the lesson plans and helping others through the program.

Bicycle Mechanics Instructor Training

With so much success in the Earn-A-Bike Program we realized the need to offer further training to those interested in continuing to develop their knowledge of bicycles.  Our Instructor training teaches volunteers and individuals who have completed our Earn-A-Bike program  how to teach the lesson plans used in our Earn-A-Bike programs.  This workshop not only develops bike mechanic skills but also builds leadership and teaching skills.

Weekly bike rides

As part of our community initiative we have weekly bike rides throughout the spring, summer and fall.  These rides have several goals including 1) to provide an opportunity for people to be active and learn road riding skills, 2)  to increase the number of bicycles on the streets, and 3) to increase vehicular awareness of cyclists on the roads.  All ages and abilities are welcome and we have bicycles available for those who need them.

Learn-To-Ride Workshops

As part of a new effort we are offering short learn-to-ride workshops where community groups, agencies, and school programs can host a Learn-To-Ride workshop and we will teach individuals how to ride bicycles safely.

Rider Safety Education

Much like the Learn-To-Ride workshops we also offer rider safety education workshops to community groups, agencies, and schools.  This workshop is a short workshop that covers the basics of safe riding techniques and helps provide helmets to those in need.

Safe Routes to School

The Safe Routes to School Program is a national and state wide effort aimed at increasing the number of children who walk and ride a bike to school. By organizing walking and riding groups, the Safe Routes to School Program ensures that children walk safely together with a leading “bus driver” for a healthy alternative way to get to school.

Today we are working with the Holyoke Public School Department and the community to help establish walking school buses in Holyoke.  In collaboration with School Wellness Councils, PTOs and children’s safety organizations we have held events and safety workshops about walking to school safely.

More information on all of the above

If you have any questions, comments, ideas or want to get involved in any of these projects please contact:

Liz Budd, Built Environment Coordinator

Lbudd@holyokeymca.org

413-534-5631 x 114