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Boston Bikes Update

Written by Boston Biker on Dec 26

Update from the city, via email:

 

With over 675,000 total trips taken on Hubway and almost 60 miles of on-street bike facilites, 2012 became the Year of the Bicycle. 
mayor bike in stand

Reflection on the Year 
The tragic accidents over the past few months have been emotional for the cycling community in Boston. As representatives for that community within city government, the outpouring of concern, thoughtfulness, and call to action from our fellow riders has especially touched the Boston Bikes staff. We are thrilled to be carrying out the Mayor’s vision of making Boston better for cyclists. So while we’ve already come so far, there is still lots of work to be done. Thank you for continuing to support each other, for welcoming new riders, and for continuing to look out for all of each other. continued here
infra

Engineering Updates 
During the summer and fall of 2012, bicycle facilities were added all across the city. From new dedicated bike lanes in East Boston to the extension of the cycle track in Allston. Boston Bikes is working rapidly to provide safe facilities across the city. 

More facilities are set to be installed when the weather warms, including bike lanes on Market Street in Brighton and Albany Street in the South End. Designs for 2013 are already in the works that include more buffered and protected lane projects. This year also saw the expansion of on-street bike corrals. While currently removed for winter plowing, look for more of these in the spring.
Equity & Encouragement:
Rolling it Forward – Have any Connections?

girl on bike

Roll it Forward, our program that collects, repairs, and redistributes bicycles to low-income Boston residents, is still going strong. This fall, we partnered with 14 community organizations to give out 189 bikes! Thank you for all of your support!

We are still accepting individual bicycle donations at our partner shops. We are also looking for leads or connections to locations (i.e. apartment buildings, office buildings, campuses, etc) that might have abandoned bicycles that they would like removed. If you have any connections, contact [email protected].
bike count

Evaluation:  
Boston Bike Counts
In September, with the help of over 30 volunteers, Boston Bikes conducted annual bike counts at 32 locations across the city. During   those weeks we saw 15,680 cyclists and with the help of two graduate students at Tufts did a little GIS analysis. Between 2010 and 2012 Boston has seen a 31% increase in ridership based on these counts – likely a conservative estimate.
SEE MORE HERE
Enforcement & Education: Be Bright Campaign be bright front
In November we partnered with the Boston Police Department to do targeted bike safety enforcement and education. Police officers targeted intersections in Allston and pulled over cyclists who were riding after dark without lights. A white front light and red rear light or reflector are required by law. Cyclists were not ticketed but were reminded of the law and given a coupon for purchasing lights.Officers also enforced and encouraged cyclists and motorists to follow other bicycle-related laws. Heeding the call from cyclists for safe bicycle lanes, Boston Transportation Department enforcement officers stepped. What good is a bike lane if it’s clogged up? During the first 10 months of 2012, BTD Officers issued over 1,517 tickets to vehicles parking in bicycle lanes. Boston Bikes is continuing to collect data to help make enforcement of bicycle lanes as effective as possible.

Stay Connected   
You can get up-to-date information about events, projects, programs, special features, and all things Boston Bike by following us on Twitter (@bikeboston) and Facebook. Don’t forget to check out the Boston Bike website for weekly blog updates at www.bostonbikes.org/

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New Boston Bike Racks Spotted

Written by Boston Biker on Dec 21

TSX0W

Not the most functional rack ever, but classy as hell. I am pretty sure I reported on these being created a long time ago, but for the life of me can’t find it…either way I like em. What do you think?

Via reddit


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New Globe Editor Brian McGrory Hates Cyclists

Written by Boston Biker on Dec 20

Oh great, of all the people who could have taken over as editor for the globe this guy had to take the reigns.

As Mayor Tom Menino prepares to roll out an ambitious bicycle-sharing program on the streets of our great city this month, offering hundreds of bikes for short-term rental all across town, I might urge him to go in a slightly different direction.

He ought to ban all bicyclists from Boston instead.

Ban them as in, here’s the city line, Lance, there’s a bike rack. Lock it up, and flag yourself a nice air-conditioned cab. Maybe you won’t be sweating so much when you walk into work.

That’s right, the new editor of the globe is known bike hater, and all together irrational and misguided man, Brian McGory

We can only hope the globe doesn’t become another useless rag that spends a large part of its time “defending” cars, and touting cyclists as the scourge of the city.

(thanks Sean for the heads up)


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Holiday Lights Ride – Rozzie, Hyde Park, Dedham

Written by Boston Biker on Dec 18

Got this in the email:

————–
Sunday Dec 23rd. Leave Adams Park at 8:00pm and return to Adams Park about 9:30pm or so

This annual holiday lights bike ride visits parts of Roslindale, Hyde Park and Dedham in search of some the brightest lights of the season. The ride will begin and end in Roslindale’s Adams Park and cover about 10 miles, returning to Adams Park. Please wear appropriate winter clothing. Both helmets and bike lights are required. Please join us for a winter ride to remember! Here’s an approximate route: http://goo.gl/maps/SHhPe

This ride is intended to foster a collaborative spirit with several bike groups including the Boston Cyclists Union and Rozzie Bikes.

Please invite your friends!


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Congestion Charges For Boston

Written by Boston Biker on Dec 17

We should have a rush hour congestion charge for Boston, 2 or 3 dollars for automobiles, 1 or 2 dollars if you are carpooling. The money should fund the MBTA, and cycling/ped infrastructure. It worked for Stockholm, it will work for us.

Boston doesn’t need to re-invent the wheel, we just need to find places in the world with awesome plans and copy them.

These things work, all we have to do is be brave enough to try them here.


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