Boston Bicycle Programs Director To Head Maine Non-Profit
Written by Boston Biker on Apr 09Getting several reports that Nicole Freedman the head of cycling programs in Boston has been hired as the head of head of Maine Huts & Trails
The Associated Press
KINGFIELD — A former Olympic cyclist has been hired as the new executive director of an organization that’s developing a backcountry network of huts along 180 miles of trails in Maine’s western mountains.
Nicole Freedman begins this month as head of Maine Huts and Trails.
A member of the 2000 Olympic cycling team, Freedman has served as director of bicycle programs for the city of Boston the past five years.
Maine Huts and Trails was formed with the long-term aim of building 12 overnight shelters and non-motorized trails stretching from near the New Hampshire border to the Moosehead Lake region. Each shelter has a main lodge, private rooms with beds, hot showers and home-cooked meals.
So far, the organization has built three huts along 50 miles of trails.
No word yet on if this means she is leaving Boston, more when I get it. Freedman has been a power house of change in Boston these last couple years, and if she is leaving it will be a sad day. More here, and here.
EDIT: got an email from Nicole, she is moving, I wish her the best on her new journey.
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By S. Molnar
on Apr 9, 2012 | Reply
It’s a loss for Boston, and probably for me: I don’t do trails or huts, but if Nicole Freedman is involved, it will probably be too good to pass up.
By anon this time
on Apr 9, 2012 | Reply
I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April Fools.
Huts?!?
The only thing I can imagine is that the (Boston) job is going to be a real grind from here on out. The “easy” bike lanes have been painted, Hubway is up, etc. The job for the next few years may not involve basking in the glory of new initiatives but probably more blocking & tackling to keep the existing stuff in shape and add to it incrementally.
OK, on second thought, I don’t blame her
By Z
on Apr 9, 2012 | Reply
I would have left if I were her as well – the mayor won’t put any political capital into bikes, and while BCU and other groups are happy to drink the kool-aide lots of us are tired of the mayor’s pussyfoot games, the city council’s near uselessness, Boston Police not enforcing traffic laws and discriminating against cyclists…and we’re tired of being told to wear helmets and stop running red lights. Because that will keep people from getting run over by eighteen wheelers, busses…right-hooked, left-hooked, doored, etc.
You know that mass ave bike lane they’re so proud of? People park in it incessantly, it’s horribly maintained pavement, and the bike lane wasn’t put down with proper thermoplastic, so it’s virtually gone now.
By Rebecca
on Apr 9, 2012 | Reply
So glad that I’m not the only one critical about the ballyhoo with what’s being done for bikes here in Boston. What I would like to see is priority given to bicycles & cars being accommodated on our streets. I just have not seen the evidence that the car is no longer king here in Boston.
By Paul Whitcomb
on Apr 10, 2012 | Reply
I don’t know who Nicole Freedman is, but I just read about Maine Huts & Trails and am very disturbed by it. It is a project of 180 miles of trails, most of which have yet to be cut, and 16 “huts” which are actually large edifices, not crude and small huts like most of the ones sponsored by the A.M.C.
Maine Huts & Trails is not headed up by environmental experts or those who love the land. It is run by economists, developers, loggers and those wishing to make a quick and easy buck by destroying miles of pristine woods, thereby enabling far too many people to take use of the land.
We have to be careful what kind of precedents we are setting and we have to be aware of the type of people who are making our decisions for us. Maine Huts & Trails are not running a project like this out of the goodness of their hearts. This is rampant capitalism under the guise of public service.
I am moving to Rangeley Maine in 4 weeks. I will oppose the work of Maine Huts & Trails. i seek to find out about the inner, financial dynamics of this organization as well as find out WHY they are proposing to expand this complex.
By matt
on Apr 12, 2012 | Reply
Z, I rode the MA lane this morning (westbound starting at Comm) and it was very much there + clear. maybe you mean another segment?
By Josh
on Apr 13, 2012 | Reply
With due respect to Paul, maybe he should try visiting Maine Huts and Trails before commenting on them. They are awesome — I did a 3 day hut to hut in March with a couple of friends. It is an ambitious and very interesting project attempting to convert (generally) old logging roads to ski trails (I assume a backwoods version of rails to trails). The people were awesome, the facilities were build with a ton of great green engineering. From my interactions (only a few, Hubway related) with Nicole, it’s aperfect job for her.