Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

WHEREAS, the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in 1997 approved initiatives designed to foster the development of links between bike routes and greenways on both sides of their borders;

      WHEREAS, the Conference requested that the possibility of concluding an agreement on mutually marking bike routes and greenways on both sides of borders be examined;

      WHEREAS, the Conference deems it important to inform the public about developments in existing and future bike routes and greenways on both sides of their borders;

      WHEREAS, New Brunswick (New Brunswick Trail Council), Québec (Ministère des Transports) and Maine have already indicated their support for the idea of mutually marking bike routes and greenways on both sides of borders;

     WHEREAS, the report submitted to the Conference today by Vélo Québec and East Coast Greenways demonstrates the success of the work that has been done so far and it suggests constructive avenues for cooperation;

      WHEREAS, the establishment of cycling networks and linear parks is an excellent tool for regional touristic and economic development for the New England States and the Eastern Canadian Provinces;

      WHEREAS, the development of greenways and cycling networks is unquestionably beneficial for the quality of the environment and the health of citizens;

      WHEREAS, setting up cycling infrastructures may encourage the use of bicycles as a mode of transportation in urban centres and thus contribute to improving the quality of the environment;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers encourage all member states and provinces to support the concept of mutually marking bike routes and greenways on both sides of their borders.

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT

   
• the heads of the provincial and state agencies and departments concerned (transportation and tourism, in particular) identify a responsible representative (governmental or from a cycling association) to ensure that actions are followed up and developed;    

   

     
   
• a common procedure for the annual updating, in diagram form, by province and state, of cycling networks and greenways be established.

Adopted at The 23rd Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, June 7-9, 1998.

                                               

_____________________________            Premier Camille Thériault            New Brunswick            Co-Chair

_____________________________            Governor Jeanne Shaheen            New Hampshire            Co-Chair