Press Kit

North Conway Public Library Shows Support for Local Cycling Initiatives by Installing New Bike Racks

NORTH CONWAY-The North Conway Public Library, with help from former and current library trustees, has attained two bike racks in an effort to establish North Conway and the Mt. Washington Valley as a bike friendly destination. The donation of the two bike racks came from former trustee, and long-time cycling advocate Steve Swenson and Dr. Faye and Ron Soderberg.

The larger of the two bike racks, was installed in front of the library's side entrance on Mechanic Street, with help from Ralph Cronin from NH Active Sports Group. The smaller bike rack, donated earlier this summer, will be installed next spring, at the library's front entrance on Main Street.

Library Director, Andrea Masters hopes the bike rack will encourage more library patrons to bike to the library in addition to providing a safe place to house bikes for those who already do. Masters commented, "Right now several patrons use a bike to come to the library and appreciate the newly installed bike racks very much. Years ago, it was mostly foreign students who came on their bikes to the library. Now more and more use their bikes around town and use the bike racks provided."

Masters, an experienced tri-athlete, has worked with the North Conway Public Library to promote healthy lifestyles and physical fitness in addition to the library's current programs including free books, magazines, audio and electronic publications, weekly book groups and story time events for children. One of the library's major events, promoting their goal of active minds and bodies, is the well known ‘Bike for Books,' fundraiser. Now in its 8th year, ‘Bike for Books' is a mountain bike tour through the Mount Washington Valley during the peak fall foliage of Columbus Day Weekend. This year's event welcomed over 100 bikers ages 8 to 70.

Masters is excited with the amount of local support for cycling initiatives, and is hopeful about receiving a bike path in North Conway, making it easier and safer for library patrons to bike to the library. "Everybody knows we have great off-road trails in the Valley to mountain bike, now we need to do more to encourage building on-road bike trails," said Masters.

The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce in affiliation with their Cycling Committee, supports MWV Cycling initiatives and encourages other businesses and organizations such as the North Conway Public Library to do so as well. All those interested in showing their support for the Kearsarge Recreation Path are encouraged to send a donation to:

Mt. Washington Valley Preservation Association
Attn: Kearsarge Recreation Path
P.O. Box 2300
North Conway, NH 03860

For more information about the North Conway Public Library and their ongoing programs and events contact Andrea Masters, Library Director at 603-356-2961 or visit www.NorthConwayLibrary.com. To learn more about cycling in MWV, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org or call 603-356-5701.

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