How Bicycles East Supports Our Community

Bicycles East is locally owned and operated. We care about our community, including Glastonbury and the surrounding towns who form our extended community. Our mission and values drive us to give back to the wonderful community of which we are a part.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Work

We our extremely passionate about bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. Right here in town, owner Deb Dauphinais serves on the Board of Directors of Bike Walk Glastonbury and on the Town of Glastonbury Bicycle Advisory Board. She helped to author the Glastonbury Master Bicycle Plan, work to have the Share the Road sign placed in town, and is a leader on our movement to become a Bicycle Friendly Community. She even went as far as dressing as a chicken as part of a crosswalk safety program "Help a Chicken Cross the Road." Bicycles East works on a statewide basis as well. Deb currently serves on the State of CT Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. You can find more information about our advocacy efforts here 

Community Involvement

Bicycles East is an active member of our community. We are members of the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce and regularly volunteer at their Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival. We have organized and led bike parades to the festival, with lots of kids and their parents riding down Main Street to the festival grounds. We'll always remember the little girl on the tricycle who persisted and made it the whole way, protected by the kind police officer in the cruiser who served as the caboose for our parade. One year, Steve performed on the stage, combining bike fun with a physics lesson.

As part of our advocacy work, Deb worked with many people in town to create the 1st leg of the multi-use trail. She was excited to be invited to join the official ribbon cutting. 

We work with other town organizations to serve our community. We'll do whatever is needed. Deb even dresses up as a chicken to work with Bike Walk Glastonbury and the Town Center Initiative to raise awareness for crosswalk safety. Can you help this chicken cross the road and safely get to the other side? 

One of our favorite events took place in November 2014 when Bicycles East hosted a day long visit from a representative of the League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Community program. Town staff and officials and local advocates took a bike tour around town and discussed strenths and areas for improvement. We stopped at key places along the way to discuss ideas. 

Charity Ride Support

Bicycles East has provides sponsorship and technical support for a variety of charity rides. We fill up the Bicycles East van and bring our repair services on-site. Deb and Steve pumped literally hundreds of tires at the start of the 1st Hartford Discover Tour - it was a great tricep workout! Steve and his workstand are regulars at the Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike Tours. Bicycles East is a proud sponsor of the Kiwanis Club's Tour of Glastonbury, and helps to make sure that the riders get off without any technical problems.

Youth Safety Programs

Bicycles East regularly provides bicycle safety programs for a variety of youth organizations, including Scouting and School groups. Programs are designed to be age-appropriate and include topics such as helmet inspections, bicycle maintenance, and safe riding. We work with the groups to ensure that the program meets the organization's goals, whether it be merit badge requirements, educational curriculum goals, or other customized needs. The programs are always educational and FUN!

Community Organizations

Bicycles East regularly provides in-kind or financial support to community organizations. These include countless youth organizations, clubs, teams, school programs, and non-profit organizations. We are a proud sponsor of the Glastonbury River Runners, a local group that helps hundreds of people of all levels to stay fit. We regularly serve as the bike patrol on route.