Pedaling the path to public service

Avery Seuter garnered national news coverage — and even a mention on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” — by traveling the East Coast Greenway from Maine to Florida via unicycle in late 2022 and early 2023. 

“I got a chance to see a lot of really, really good infrastructure, and then coming home from the trip, comparing it to what we had locally was definitely interesting,” Seuter said. “It's better in some spots here in town, but it's definitely not as good as it could potentially be.”

Fast forward two years, and the lessons learned on that trip have propelled the now 22-year-old Seuter on a new journey: recently elected member of the Board of Selectmen in his hometown of Wells, Maine.

After serving on the Wells Energy Committee, Seuter earned the most votes in the June 2025 election and will serve on the board through 2028. Inspired by his journey along the East Coast Greenway, Seuter is focused on enhancing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as improving public transportation options in Wells.

“One of the major complaints I heard from people when I was campaigning was that the traffic is so terrible on Route 1, so having some kind of alternative to take some pressure off of that would be a tremendous improvement,” Seuter said. 

After successfully advocating for a sidepath at York County Community College, Seuter ran for the Wells Board of Selectmen to improve connectivity and safety town-wide — expanding his impact beyond the campus.

“At a time when our nation is experiencing a decline in volunteerism and civic engagement, Avery stands out as a powerful example of how the East Coast Greenway can help rebuild our social fabric — by connecting communities and inspiring people of all ages to take action in their neighborhoods, towns and beyond,” East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano said. In his new role, Seuter is excited to advance a planned greenway connecting York County Community College to the Wells Transportation Center, an Amtrak Downeaster stop. Now in the design phase, the project would build on the on-campus path he and his friends successfully advocated for.

Seuter also is focused on adding sidewalks to Route 1. “The town has very few sidewalks on our major roads, and it's super dangerous because a lot of people walk on the shoulder and there's just not a ton of room between the cars and where you're walking,” Seuter said.

After experiencing the East Coast Greenway from Maine to Florida, Seuter understands the power of connection. He’s optimistic that a proposed expansion of Maine’s Eastern Trail will one day link Wells to job centers from Kennebunk to North Berwick — offering a safe, active commuting option and driving economic growth for the region.

“Outdoor recreation is one of the biggest industries right now. Ecotourism is huge in Maine, and I think putting Wells on the map and having more connections would be great.”

Seuter remembers the most memorable stops on his East Coast Greenway ride were the cities and towns with the best bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. His family has hosted several long-distance Greenway travelers in recent months — and they all agree. But safe, protected pathways aren’t just for through-riders; they benefit a wide range of users, from daily commuters to families out for a walk or ride.

“The safety element is a huge part of it,” Seuter said. “When you have trails that are off-road where you're not mixing with the cars, you see a wider cross-section of people — younger kids that are safer on the trails and a lot of older people and commuters and joggers and people that walk their dog."

After returning from his East Coast Greenway adventure, Seuter wasn’t sure how to get involved in local politics. It took time to find his footing. Now, he offers valuable advice for young people eager to make a difference in their communities:

"There are always openings on local committees and boards, there's a lot of people that are really desperate, especially for young people to get involved,” Seuter said. “It helps to bring new energy and new ideas to the committees.”

“Tell your local representatives what you'd like to see in town, and I think that it does make a difference. They'll listen and if you repeat it enough times, eventually it will click with them.” 

Markatos-Soriano added, “Avery is a great example of how the East Coast Greenway connects people not just to places, but to a larger sense of community — fostering civic engagement from the neighborhood level all the way to national impact.”