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Worry About The Rain All Day, Walk Outside And The Rain Stops: Rain Day Open Thread

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 18

oh yea!

Post your best rain day adventures in the comments.


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Newton Bike Update (Tonight)

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 17

from the email, check it out if you are in the Newton area:

The Second Annual Newton Bicycle Update will have all the details:
Monday, June 17, 6-7 pm,
War Memorial Auditorium, City Hall
(Psst–last year the City got an Honorable Mention from the League of
American Bicyclists. Surprise annoucement on Monday!)

Newton Bicycle Coordinator Lois Levin will be joined by Mayor Setti Warren,
members of the Board of Aldermen, city Transportation Director Bill Paille,
Police Chief Howard Mintz, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee.

They will highlight Newton’s new bicycle lanes, describe Newton’s
bicycling safety education programs, review crash statistics and enforcement
activities, and the city’s efforts to encourage more bicycling.

Having adopted a comprehensive Bicycle Network Plan in 2012, the City has
created separated bicycle lanes along Beacon Street, Centre Street, Langley
Road and Walnut Street. This year, the City expects to expand the network by
improving safety on the Carriage Road of Commonwealth Avenue, and add shared
lanes on Lowell Ave and Webster Street. Bicycling is steadily increasing in
Newton because of these efforts.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee is a subcommittee of the Transportation
Advisory Group, formed by Mayor Warren to help advance his vision of a
sustainable Newton. The TAG works to make Newton’s streets safe and healthy
for all residents.


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Urban Foraging And Bike Tour TONIGHT

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 14

Last minute, but you could run over after work and it looks awesome.

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Friday, June 14th, 5:30 pm

Nick Woebske and Galen Mook lead a bike tour at dusk around the perimeter of the Alewife Reservation. Edible plant expert David Craft, will educate riders on the vast amount of edible plants in the area at periodic stops. David has authored books on foraging, and does walks through out the Boston area.

Galen Mook is a bicycle instructor and ride-leader in the greater Boston area, with several years of experience working with Boston Bikes, the City of Cambridge, MassBike, and his own non-profit CommonWheels. He leads rides in and around the region (sometimes with musical accompaniment when he’s on his “drum bike”) and he truly enjoys showing off the area’s bike-ability to those who may be new to biking in an urban setting. For this event, he will be leading a casual, slow-paced and organized tour of the reservation, including a picnic at the end of the trip.

Bring a small snack and water bottle for picnic.

Sponsored by the Friends of Alewife Reservation. Participants will meet at the at the passenger pickup of the Alewife T-stop in Cambridge. Visit www.friendsofalewifereservation.org for updated information or call (617) 415-1884.

more details here (pdf)Go Green Edible Plant Bike Tour Flyer


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Boston Police District C-11 Presents Summer Safety Day & Bike Rodeo

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 13

Take the little ones out and get them trained in bike safety, parents might learn a thing or two as well. (from DotBike)
——————————–

Saturday, June 15, 2013
10:00am until 2:00pm in EDT

Boston Police District C-11 presents Summer Safety Day & Bike Rodeo
McKeon Post Parking Lot,
4 Hilltop Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
Also present will be The Boston Society of Vulcans (Safety Town),
the the Boston Retired Police Officer’s Code Blue and Dot Bike
• Children ages 4-12 years and parents welcome
• Safety Info for Kids and Parents
• Bring your bike and helmet
• Fun Bike Games and Agility Test
• Cool Bike Helmets — Free as supplies last!
• Free raffle for two 20” kids bikes!
Thank you to all our sponsors and contributors!
Call the C-11 Community Service Office
at 617-343-4524 for more information

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Neponset Greenway Completion State Funding Commitment

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 13

Got this in the email from DotBike, pretty awesome that they have agreed to fund this project, its been in the works a long long time. If you have never ridden on the green-way, you should its gorgeous pretty much year round.

———————————-

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department
Office of Governor Deval L. Patrick
Press Release
Contact: Heather Johnson, Bonnie McGilpin, Juli Hanscom – 617-725-4025; SJ Port (DCR) – 617-626-1453; Cyndi Roy (MassDOT) – 857-368-8500
Follow us on Twitter – View our Photos – Watch our Videos
PATRICK ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE NEPONSET RIVER GREENWAY CORRIDOR
$1.9 million for design to complete bicycle and pedestrian path; connecting communities and improving the transportation network
BOSTON – Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – The Patrick Administration today announced $1.9 million in capital funding to design the completion of the Neponset River Greenway Corridor. The project will complete the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) bicycle and pedestrian commuter system that follows the Neponset River from the outer suburbs, through Boston neighborhoods and into downtown.
“Investing in healthy, alternative modes of transportation will benefit residents today, and leave a lasting impact on the Neponset River Greenway Corridor for generations to come,” said Governor Deval Patrick.
“Working together with our partners at MassDOT, we are going to get this important project completed,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan. “The path will provide a safe alternative for bicyclists and pedestrians. Increased use of cleaner transportation options will protect our environment and serve our Greater Boston communities better.”
In addition to the design costs, MassDOT has committed to fund the construction of the project which is estimated between $11-15 million.
Making it a convenient commuter option, the project route lies within a half mile of 11 rail transit stops and connects its users to jobs, higher education, cultural institutions and recreational facilities in Boston. The current Greenway Corridor is nearly 10 miles long and contains a bicycle and pedestrian network that hosts more than 10,400 users each day. Once construction is complete, usage is expected to double.
“One of our primary goals at MassDOT and the MBTA is to effectively tie all modes of transportation together to provide travel choices, improve the environment and preserve capacity on our highways,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. “By working together, DCR and MassDOT will be able to construct the final links to the Neponset Greenway and take a major step toward meeting the area’s travel demands.”
The completed network will make bicycle and pedestrian travel safer by creating off-road segments and bridges that take walkers and riders safely past Expressway ramps and over trolley tracks through Hyde Park, Mattapan, Milton and Dorchester.
“DCR considers the completion of the Neponset River Corridor to be a signature project that will connect our Blue Hills Reservation to Boston Harbor, while providing more access to public spaces for residents in urban neighborhoods, connecting communities and improving the transportation network,” said DCR Commissioner Edward Lambert. “Parks and pathways are priority investments for the Patrick Administration because they provide healthy and alternative forms of recreation and transportation.”
The design of this project is the result of partnerships formed over 20 years ago between residents of Boston and Milton, as well as the sponsoring state agencies at DCR and MassDOT, and community organizations such as the Boston Natural Areas Network.
The project’s local match includes contributions from corporate neighbors such Stop & Shop and National Grid. That match reflects the partnership that underlies this project and that will continue to make it successful. 
This partnership is a part of the Patrick Administration’s larger efforts in transportation planning for all modes of travel. One of MassDOT’s priorities is completion of the Bay State Greenway (BSG). The completion of the Neponset River Greenway is one of the BSG 100 – MassDOT’s highest priority shared-use paths: 100 miles of new paths that would make additional connections to urban centers, extend existing paths and maximize the transportation network.

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Creative Fenders

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 11

From Epic:

How are you staying dry out there?


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Public meeting on Vernon St. Cycle Track Wednesday June 19th 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 07

From DotBike:

——————

Hi Dot Bikers, 
We just learned of a meeting that the city is holding in 2 weeks to discuss installing a cycle track on Mt. Vernon St.  This street passes Harbor Point Housing and provides access to UMass Boston and the Harbor Walk along the bay.  Here is link to a map if you’re not familiar with the street http://bit.ly/17lW56b. Please attend if you can, spread the word and speak up in favor of this cycle track and cycle tracks in general.  More information on the meeting and issues below.
 

Public Meeting for Proposed Cycletrack on Mt. Vernon Street

Wednesday June 19, 2013 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM


Walter Denny Youth Center
270 Mt. Vernon Street, DorchesterSUBJECT: DISCUSSION TO UNDERSTAND NEIGHBORHOOD INTEREST IN CYCLE TRACKS ON MT. VERNON STREET

What are cycle tracks? 

Cycle tracks are sections of road designated for exclusive use by cyclists, physically protected from motor vehicle traffic. Paint or thermoplastic lane markings and flexible bollards plus accompanying signage mark the cycle tracks. Green paint is occasionally added for emphasis on select segments.

Why install cycle tracks? 

Mt. Vernon Street’s proximity to University of Massachusetts Boston, the Walter Denny Youth Center, UMass/JFK MBTA Station, and elementary and middle schools, makes bicycling a very desirable transportation choice. Currently few people bicycle because of fear of cars and high speeds on Mt. Vernon Street.  Cycle tracks dramatically improve comfort and allow new people to bike.

What about safety?

Cycle tracks are proven to make the roads safer for all users.  All proposed plans would improve safety in the following ways.

Designate a safe riding zone for cyclists;
Encourage cars to drive at slower, safer speeds;
Encourage cyclists to bicycle more respectfully and predictably; and,
Make pedestrians and drivers more aware of cyclists.

What are the project limits? 

The bike facilities being discussed would extend from William T. Morrissey Boulevard to University Drive.

What does the City do for education and enforcement?

The City supports facilities through education and enforcement of the rules of the road for cyclists and drivers.  Boston Police are key partners.

What is involved with installation?  Work typically occurs during the day or at night over 3-5 days.

Will parking be impacted?  Parking is currently not permitted on Mt. Vernon Street.

Will traffic be impacted?  One motor vehicle lane will be removed in each direction with this project.

Boston Bikes is part of Mayor Menino’s vision for a vibrant and healthy city that benefits all its citizens. It seeks to make Boston a world-class bicycling city by creating safe and inviting conditions for all residents and visitors.  For more information please call Nicole Freedman, Boston Bikes, <617-918-4456.


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State Plans To Update/Improve Cambridge Overpass Bridge With Buffered Bike Lanes

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 06

Woo! From the Boston Globe:


View Larger Map

The state is planning a two-year, $10-million project to completely rebuild a bridge that carries Cambridge Street over the Massachusetts Turnpike and commuter rail tracks in Allston, officials said.

The bridge currently carries three traffic lanes in each direction. After it is rebuilt, the bridge will carry two traffic lanes in each direction as bike lanes will be added along each side, officials said.

The bridge deck is rated in “poor condition and it is at the end of its serviceable life,” said Michael Verseckes, a spokesman for the state’s transportation department. Jersey barriers have for months blocked vehicles from driving on a part of the bridge “that is in an advanced stage of deterioration.”

This bridge has been slowly falling apart for years, combined with the future plans of Harvard to develop this area, it makes a lot of sense to build up the bicycle infrastructure in the area. If the current rate of growth in cycling continues, combined with more student traffic, you could have thousands of cyclists and pedestrians crossing this bridge every day. The added bike lanes and side walks will turn what was once a crumbling mess of a bridge into a vital pedestrian/cyclist through way.

Keep saying this to yourself “Roads are a public utility for moving people.” This doesn’t mean just cars. Roads are a public utility for moving people…roads are a public utility…roads are a pu….roads….

Well done state planners, bravo!


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The Word On The Street

  • RSS Here is what people are saying

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