Strong Towns Happy Valley Blog

  Written by Alexela Hoyt Snow falling in downtown State College. Photo by Mikey DeAngelis, Onward State. It can take 600 feet or more to come to a complete stop while driving 35mph in icy conditions. Yes, even if you have a car with 4 wheel drive! Winter is upon us, and these last couple of weeks have brought plenty of snow. With this in mind, Strong Towns Happy Valley would like to provide some winter safety and comfort tips. Driving in winter weather While we would love to see an increase in public transportation in the State College area, it is still important to make sure we are driving safely to protect ourselves and those around us. ·         SLOW DOWN!! o    It can take 600 feet or more to come to a complete stop from 35mph in icy conditions. o    4 wheel drive cars will require the same amount of stopping distance as 2 wheel drive cars; 4 wheel drive does not mean 4 wheel stop. o    Active snowfall is not the only indicator of icy conditions. Rain and snowmelt fo

  Written by Anne Johnson A bike parked in the snow on Penn State's campus. Growing up in Michigan, winter was always a big part of the year, with many fun outdoor activities like skiing, ice skating, sledding, and more that could only be done while the snow was around. Still, there were some activities that most people relegated to warmer seasons, and for many, one of these activities was biking.  However, this did not have to be so! Below are seven tips that helped me (and hopefully will help you) continue to bike in the winter. 1. Go Slow in the Snow Winter riding often has many more challenges than other times of the year, with snow blocking paths and ice making things slippery. This means it’s very important to go carefully - go slow to give plenty of time to spot unexpected obstacles and be sure to leave more time and distance for braking. 2. Keep Your Clothing Warm and Bright Things can get quite cold during the winter, so be sure to dress appropriately. Wearing layers can h