PORTLAND

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine recently presented nine local champions of better biking and walking — including Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry and Bath Police Chief Mike Field, and the Maine Beer Company of Freeport — with awards in recognition of their efforts to make Maine better for those traveling on bike or foot.

Each year, the coalition distributes awards to deserving bicycle and pedestrian advocates around the state who are working hard to improve their communities.

Those in Maine honored

Receiving the awards were:

• The Harry Faust Leadership Award is named after one of the coalition’s most dedicated and effective board chairs, and is presented to a Mainer who has been a true leader in their community to promote more biking. This year’s winner is Julie Daigle of Fort Kent.

• The Jeff Miller Spirit of Cycling Award is named after the first executive director of the coalition and is presented to a Mainer who demonstrates Jeff ’s joy from all aspects of biking. This year’s winner is Dave McCarthy of York.

• The Just Do It Award is presented to Mainers who exhibit leadership in public service focusing on the biking and walking community. This year’s winners are Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry and Bath Police Chief Mike Field.

• The Muddy Wheel Award is presented to a leader advancing the area of mountain biking in Maine. This year’s award winner is Rob Lavoie of Gorham.

• The Sally Jacobs Community Advocacy Award is named after the legendary bicycle advocate from Orono and presented to local advocates who have made a significant difference to biking and walking in their community.

This year’s winner is the Walk-NRoll Bangor committee.

• The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer that has contributed extraordinary time, effort and energy to the coalition and its mission. This year’s winner is Leonard Howard of Portland.

• The Businesses for Better Bicycling Award is presented to a Maine business that encourages and supports bicycling within their business and community. This year’s winner is Maine Beer Company of Freeport.

• The Next Generation Award is presented to a person or program who instills a love, interest and appreciation of bikes and walking in the next generation. This year’s winner is the Norway Walking School Bus Program.

For a complete listing of award winners’ biographies, photos and more information, visit bikemaine.org/awards.

What is BCM?

• THE BICYCLE COALITION of Maine is the statewide voice of cyclists and pedestrians. Since 1992, the coalition has led the effort to make Maine better for bicycling and walking by protecting the rights and safety of cyclists and pedestrians through education, advocacy, legislation and encouragement. We support biking and walking for health, transportation and recreation. For more information, go to bikemaine.org.