H.E.L.L. Is Back!

H.E.L.L. (Helping Everyone Live Longer) is back!

http://www.myspace.com/hellhelmets

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=287753099269

From the myspace:

H.E.L.L.- Helping Everyone Live Longer is a non-profit organization that was started in response to the deaths of two bicyclists, Gordon Riker, and Kelly Wallace, and stands in memory of any friend or loved one who has lost their lives in a bicycle accident. H.E.L.L. works to distribute free bicycle helmets and lights to anyone who needs them. Safety is a right that everyone has regardless of money. This project and the people that this project was started for meant so much to so many people and I want to reach out to those people for their input, feelings and ideas for this project, where they would like to see this project go, and what they would like to see this do.

Who H.E.L.L would like to meet:
Anyone who would like to work on this project. Artists who would like to customize and paint helmets, people and bands who want to book benefit shows and fundraise to keep this project going, friends, bicyclists and businesses who want to help raise awareness. Everyone has something they can contribute and everyone is welcome to take part. This is a project for the Greater Boston community and should be driven by that community not just an individual. Donations are what H.E.L.L. runs off of so if you would like to donate send a message to the email, HELLhelmets@gmail.com and a paypal will be up and running in a little while

Tony Kornheiser Is A Moron

Seriously? This is got to be the stupidest thing I have ever had to listen to. Guess the fight continues.

Street Talk: Transit 2.0

Transit 2.0: The Developers Initiative
By Chris Dempsey, Director of Innovation, Mass Dept. of Transportation

Tues, April 6, 7-9 pm
@ LivableStreets office, 100 Sidney St, Cambridge [map…]

Open to the public. Suggested donation. Complimentary beer provided by Harpoon while supplies last.

Pull out your phone, check if your bus or train is on time, and come to the LivableStreets Alliance StreetTalk to learn how technology is improving public transit. The Mass. Dept of Transportation Developers Initiative is a ground-breaking program that hosts transportation data that can be used by third-party software developers to build websites, mobile applications, and other applications that deliver information more efficiently and effectively to users of the Commonwealth’s transportation system. Since the first developers meeting in the LivableStreets office, the initiative has led to the development of numerous innovative web and mobile applications. Chris Dempsey will describe how open source data and innovative collaborations are helping Massachusetts travelers better plan their trips or find the location of their bus.

Chris Dempsey is the Director of Innovation for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Before his current role, Chris was Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation. Prior to joining state government, Chris was a staffer on the Patrick-Murray campaign, responsible for the campaign’s volunteer, student outreach and internship programs. He is a native of Brookline and currently resides in Boston.

Hosted by LivableStreets Alliance. For more information: events@livablestreets.info, facebook, 617-621-1746

http://livablestreets.info/event/streettalk/transit-20-developers-initiative

MassDOT Redoing Dot Ave.

I used to ride up and down this street at least twice a day, good to see they are going to be reworking most of the intersections, cause boy howdy did it need it. Stay tuned to DotBike here and MassBike for more information.

Press Release Below

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) today unveiled a new website www.mass.gov/massdot/dotave devoted to keeping residents and area businesses informed about the progress of the $15.6 million Dorchester Avenue stimulus project.

The project, which is being overseen by MassDOT in close collaboration with the City of Boston, is part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future. As part of MassDOT’s community engagement plan, an update will be sent via email to the community and added to www.mass.gov/massdot/dotave every two weeks highlighting a general description of work locations, activities and hours. Specific anticipated lane closures and any restrictions on parking and pedestrian travel ways throughout the project work area will be included.

The work schedule from March 15-26 is as follows:
Traffic signal and conduit installation at Peabody Square, East Cottage/Crescent, Old Colony. The Clock island fence at Peabody Square will be removed. The work hours are 7am – 3pm weekdays. At Peabody Square, the pass through that runs between the clock island and Store 24 will be closed. There will be no parking in the work zone from 7am – 4pm, Mon. – Fri. If you have questions or concerns please send feedback to John.Romano@state.ma.us or call MassDOT’s community engagement contact at 617-248-2822.

The Dorchester Avenue project will will improve safety and mobility at four major intersections along the Dorchester Avenue corridor: Andrews Square, Glover’s Corner, Fields Corner and Peabody Square. An additional 11 intersections will receive traffic signal equipment upgrades and interconnection and hardwire control to the City of Boston Traffic Management Center. All intersections will see accessibility and bicycle accommodation improvements.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, MassDOT, is the unified transportation organization serving the residents and visitors of Massachusetts with a focus on public safety, customer service and efficiency. MassDOT is governed by a five member board, managed by a Secretary/CEO, and includes four divisions: Highway, Rail & Transit, Registry of Motor Vehicles, and Aeronautics. MassDOT was created on November 1, 2009, the result of a historic transportation reform law signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in June 2009.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT online at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot. John Romano Municipal Affairs Liaison Massachusetts Department of Transportation Direct: 617.248.2822 | Mobile 617.438.4301 For news and updates check out our website www.mass.gov/massdot blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot

Ray Lahood Announces Dramatic Change In Federal Funding Policy For Bike Projects

Ray Lahood Federal Transportation Secretary had this to say at the National Bike Summit this year.

Then Wrote this on his blog

Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.

We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:

* Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
* Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
* Go beyond minimum design standards.
* Collect data on walking and biking trips.
* Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
* Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
* Improve non-motorized facilities during maintenance projects.

Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.

This is a huge deal, but may not have as big an impact in Mass. as it could because this state still implements federal dollars in a very messed up way.

In essence even though the federal government tells states how to allocate federal transportation dollars, Massachusetts will often disregard these suggestions and spend them the way they feel which is why we are currently 51st (behind Puerto Rico) in how we use these funds for bike and ped projects.

Lets hope these dramatic policy changes at the top will trickle down to our policy makers here.

Full Policy here, of you can read it below.

Read more »