Cambridge Bike Safety Update

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 07

From the email:

 

This week there are two ways you can take action to help improve bicycle safety in Cambridge: (a) ask your employer to sign our business platform; (b) donate to help start a cycling program for seniors and people with disabilities in Cambridge. We also have an update on last week’s policy orders and the S Mass Ave protected bike lane below.

 

Employer campaign

The employer campaign is off to a great start! We have had a lot of interest from businesses who want show that they want their employees to be safe commuting to and from work. Most notably Microsoft and Cambridge Health Alliance have signed onto our business platform over the past week!

 

But we want to give a special mention to Shoobx who went above and beyond and also emailed the city in support of protected bike lanes. Thank you Shoobx! See the end of this email for more information about them.

 

Employers are often very supportive of safe bike infrastructure, they just need a way to show it. The employer campaign gives them an opportunity to show how supportive they are to a wide audience and it helps us in showing the city that bike infrastructure is good for business. See here for instructions for talking to your employer about our business platform.

 

Donate to help start Cycling Without Age in Cambridge

We believe people of all ages should enjoy biking around the city and Cycling Without Age makes this a reality, by offering chauffeured tricycle rides around the city to the elderly and people with disabilities.

 

Manny Lusardi is trying to start a branch of Cycling Without Age in Cambridge. He writes: “For 2 1/2 years or so, I was paralyzed from mid chest down. One of the activities I missed the most was a simple bike ride. Biking again after years of rehab and hard work, made me realize how much other’s, especially the elderly and those living with a disability, would simply appreciate a slow bike ride through our community. My hope is to bring this dream to reality and help the elderly and those living with physical disabilities enjoy what many of us take for granted.”

 

Donate here to help the elderly and people with disabilities feel the joy of getting around the city on a bike! Cycling Without Age Cambridge is a 501c3 organization and donations are tax deductible. This is a wonderful program and hopefully we can help Manny get it off the ground in Cambridge.

 

Bike Network Implementation Plan & River St Policy Orders

Last week the city council received many emails from all of us in support of a protected bike lane on River Street and funding for an implementation plan for the protected network. And both votes passed easily!

 

The only reason an implementation plan for a protected bike network is on the table is our collective support for it and pressure on city leadership. When we gather in rallies or turn out to council meetings in large numbers, or when we write emails to the council en masse, it makes a real difference. Our rallies and emails show supportive city councillors that they are making a safe choice supporting protected bike lanes. They show skeptical councillors that it is unpopular to oppose safety on the roads. And they shows the rest of the city government that this is what the public really wants. Please feel heartened – and make it a habit of showing up and writing in early and often in support of these measures as we move ahead.

 

South Mass Ave

The quick build implementation of a protected bike lane started last week on Mass Ave between Sidney Street and Memorial Drive and should be in place by next week. The city made a wise decision choosing this section for protection as it is heavily travelled and has a high crash rate. Thank you to the city government for your work! We look forward to riding this section very soon.

Tags: Cambridge Bike Safety
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