The Latest From BostonBiker.org

News, Events, Updates


Hubway Is Dead Long Live Blue Bikes

Written by Boston Biker on Mar 08

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will pay nearly $20 million to turn the Boston area’s Hubway bike share system into Blue Bikes and expand the program with more than 1,000 new bikes and more than 100 new rental stations across the region.

“Blue Cross is committed to helping Massachusetts residents lead healthy lives, and this program is a way to bring that to life,” said Jeff Bellows, vice-president of corporate citizenship for BCBS. “Being a health-care company, it’s in line with what we want to do.”

BCBS will pay $18 million over six years to be the sole sponsor of the bike share system, which will be renamed Blue Bikes. The money will be used in part to fund a nearly 50 percent increase in bikes — by the end of 2019, there will be 3,000 Blue Bikes on the streets, up from 1,800 today — and add more than 100 new stations across Boston, Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville. The expansion will bring more service to underserved parts of the city, Bellows said.

“Communities like Mattapan, Dorchester, Roxbury, they’re going to get additional access to these bikes,” he said. (via)

While I wish it was more of a public system, maybe tax based, but sure I will siphon off some of the obscene profits BCBS is making to fund bike share programs.

The best part of this is that Hubway/Blue Bikes will continue, and it will expand into areas that have not been served by it so far.


submit Hubway Is Dead Long Live Blue Bikes to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Bike Business, Commuting, news | Comments Off on Hubway Is Dead Long Live Blue Bikes

Livable Streets Update

Written by Boston Biker on Jan 25

From Livable Streets:

StreetLife

Issue #122 – January 2018

In this issue:

  • Help fight for #TransitNotTraffic for Allston I-90 project
  • Check out our new Longwood Area Report, “Finding a Cure”
  • Mark your calendar for upcoming Community Preservation Act forums
  • Boston Cyclists Union is hiring a Director of Organizing
  • Town of Brookline is recruiting a Transportation Board member

What’s happening

Help fight for #TransitNotTraffic for Allston I-90 project

Allston_I-90_Project.png

We need your help to ensure that West Station is a central component – not an after-thought – for the Allston I-90 Interchange Improvement Project. Better public transit is needed now, not in 22 years.

Here are three things you can do to support West Station and better transportation access for the region:

  • Participate in the People’s Pike’s Rally for #TransitNotTraffic tomorrow at 8am in Allston. Don’t miss it! Click here for more details.
  • Help us mobilize the community. We’re working with our community and advocacy partners to go door-to-door in Allston, Brookline, and Cambridgeport to let residents know what’s at stake. Ready to help? Contact Andrew at [email protected] to learn more.
  • Join us in opposing MassDOT’s proposal for delaying West Station until 2040 by submitting an official letter by February 9th. Get writing! Click here to learn more.

Event Details:
Rally for Transit, Not Traffic

Thursday, January 25th, 8:00 – 9:00 AM
Meet outside DoubleTree Hotel
400 Soldiers Field Rd, Boston, MA 02134


Check out our new Longwood Area Report

LMA_report_cover.jpgFinding A Cure for the Longwood Area’s Transportation Challenges” is now live on the Longwood Area Cyclists’ website. The report analyzes our multimodal survey results from our 2017 engagement in the area, providing important takeaways and three recommendations for future transportation planning in the Longwood Area.

We hope you will help us amplify the stories and data included in our report to call for swift response!


Mark your calendar for upcoming Community Preservation Act forums

CPA_Forums.PNGLast year, votes overwhelmingly passed the Community Preservation Act (CPA) to create a $20 million fund annually for historic preservation, parks, and affordable housing. Come to a community forum to learn about how CPA is being implemented in Boston. Ask questions and share priorities for your neighborhood.

Event Details:
Community Preservation Act Forums

Wednesday, January 24, 6:00-8:00 pm
@ Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115

Tuesday, January 30, 6:00-8:00 pm
@ Roslindale Square Substation
4288 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA 02131

Thursday, February 8, 6:00-8:00 pm
@ Lena Park Community Center
150 American Legion Highway, Dorchester, MA 02124

We hope to see you there!


Opportunities

Boston Cyclists Union is hiring a Director of Organizing

BCU_logo.jpgThe Boston Cyclists Union is hiring a Director of Organizing. The Director of Organizing will work to further develop and lead the Boston Cyclists Union’s Bikeways for Everybody campaign and ongoing reactive campaigns, and to win support for key bicycling infrastructure improvements. For more information, click here.


Town of Brookline is recruiting a Transportation Board member

Brookline_seal.jpgA seat on Brookline’s Transportation Board (which oversees the Public Transportation Advisory Committee, the Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Pedestrian Advisory Committee) will be opening up soon, as one of its members is retiring. To apply, please get in touch with Brookline’s Transportation Administrator, Todd Kirrane at [email protected], as soon as possible.


submit Livable Streets Update to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: ,
Posted in advocacy, jobs, news | Comments Off on Livable Streets Update

Cyclist Killed In Dorchester

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 03

A cyclist was killed by a truck driver in Dorchester today. More details when I get it.

(warning this article is written pretty poorly) Link

Edit:

The young man killed was 19 year old Antawani Wright, there is a gofundme to help pay for his funeral costs.

 

More info about this lovely young man here here and here.


submit Cyclist Killed In Dorchester to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: ,
Posted in news | Comments Off on Cyclist Killed In Dorchester

Livable Streets Update

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 19

From the email:

———–

What’s happening

3 reasons to sign up for Tour de Streets today

TourdeStreets.jpgTour de Streets is LivableStreets’ biggest fundraiser of the year, and – more importantly – it’s a ton of fun! Here are three reasons to sign up today to join us on September 9th:

  1. The location is amazing. With views of the Boston skyline, a playground, skate park and beautiful patio to enjoy live music and delicious BBQ after your ride, can you think of a better way to spend a Saturday in September?

  2. It honors lives lost to traffic crashes. Tour de Streets celebrates the life and spirit of Bob Zeeb, along with other members of our Metro Boston community whose lives have been lost to traffic crashes.

  3. It’s a great way to show your friends why you care about our streets. You can create a team and get your friends and family involved. Plus anyone who donates $25 or more gets a ticket to the BBQ!

register.png
 

Welcome to our summer interns!

Ashley_Pryce_headshot_June_2017.png Liana_Genito.png Carlo_Urmy.png Jessica_Mosco.png

We are excited to welcome a great group of summer interns who are contributing to important initiatives like the Emerald Network and Better Buses. Learn more about our summer staff here!


Support the omnibus road safety bill

unnamed.jpgOn June 13, members of the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalitiontestified in support of elements of An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities (S1905/H2877) – an omnibus road safety bill – at the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation hearing. If the bill is reported favorably by this committee, it will be sent on to the Ways and Means Committee in both the Senate and the House to determine if the Commonwealth has the means to enact such a law. Thereafter, the bill would go to a general vote, at which point your input with your local lawmakers becomes even more important. Please consider submitting written testimony in support of this bill.


Take the Sullivan Square Safe Streets Survey

Sullivan-Square-1.pngWe want to hear from you! Fill out the Sullivan Square Safe Streets survey. Employers along the Sullivan Square/Rutherford Ave corridor and transportation advocacy organizations are seeking to create safer places for walking, biking, transit and driving in the area. Fill out this survey to help us prioritize locations and safety issues – tell us which areas are most problematic and what would make your commute better! Survey link: https://goo.gl/forms/jKO5OH9ERy3kITKr1


Wins

Beacon Street Vision Zero meeting

beaconstmap_arlingtontomass-01.pngOn June 12th, the Boston Transportation Department presented their preferred design for Beacon Street in the Back Bay, a Vision Zero priority corridor. The proposed improvements include leading pedestrian intervals at crossings, removing a lane of vehicular traffic, adding a one-way parking protected bikeway, daylighting, and more.

Before June 30th, please review the plan for yourself, email [email protected] to submit feedback, and take BTD’s bike connectivity survey to advocate for improved network connections on adjacent streets. BTD will present a final design in September, and the project will hopefully be implemented before the end of 2017.

LivableStreets is working with our Vision Zero partners to deploy Street Ambassadors post-implementation to educate the public on how to properly use this new infrastructure. Interested in helping us spread the word? Reach out to Andrew at [email protected].


Silver Line “Better Bus” pilot has ended

SilverLine_BRT.jpgThank you to all of our amazing partners and Street Ambassadors who teamed up for BostonBRT‘s Silver Line Better Bus Experience. After watching bus after bus board passengers quickly and efficiently, it was clear that all-door boarding is critical to improving transit in the Boston area. LivableStreets will be reporting back on feedback and data collected during this demonstration. Also, BostonBRT will soon announce selections for its RFP process, and LivableStreets will continue to advocate for better service system-wide.

Want to see future improvements on your bus? Get involved in our Better Buses initiative, and join us for this month’s Advocacy Committee meeting on June 28th to brainstorm strategy.


Opportunities

The Boston Cyclists Union is hiring!

Boston_Cyclists_Union_logo.pngThe Boston Cyclists Union is looking to hire a Mechanic/Bike Repair Program Coordinator to manage the Dudley Bike Workshop and the Bike to Market Program. To learn more and apply, click here.


MassDOT is hiring a Complete Streets engineer!

MassDOT-Formal_Logo.jpgMassDOT is hiring a Complete Streets engineer. Spread the word so they can find great candidates. To view the job description and apply, click here.


submit Livable Streets Update to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: ,
Posted in advocacy, infrastructure, news | Comments Off on Livable Streets Update

Cyclist Murdered In Hit And Run, Police Still Looking For The Murderer

Written by Boston Biker on May 02

Rick Archer was hit around 3:30 a.m on April 30th in the Backbay, he has since died from his injuries.  The driver fled the scene.

They think they might have found the car, but are still looking for the driver.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (617)343-4470.  Or go here for more contact details.

 


submit Cyclist Murdered In Hit And Run, Police Still Looking For The Murderer to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in news | 7 Comments »

The Word On The Street

  • RSS Here is what people are saying

    • Where bicycles are prohibited in Massachusetts August 16, 2023
      TweetThe main issue you will confront if you get into a dispute with police over bicycle prohibitions is whether the prohibition is supported by law. Often it is not. Example: the ramp from Commonwealth Avenue to Route 128 northbound and … Continue reading →
      jsallen
    • Where bicycles are prohibited in Massachusetts August 16, 2023
      TweetThe main issue you will confront if you get into a dispute with police over bicycle prohibitions is whether the prohibition is supported by law. Often it is not. Example: the ramp from Commonwealth Avenue to Route 128 northbound and … Continue reading →
      jsallen
    • It’s Finally Happening! 5th Annual Hot Cocoa Ride Feb 12! February 8, 2022
      ... Continue reading →
      commonwheels
    • It’s Finally Happening! 5th Annual Hot Cocoa Ride Feb 12! February 8, 2022
      ... Continue reading →
      commonwheels
    • Hello world! June 9, 2021
      Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! Continue reading →
      thecommunityspoke
    • Run The Jewels Lead Free Pewter Hand Carved And Cast Pin Set January 3, 2021
      Made these lovely RTJ fist and gun pin set. Hand carved in wax, and then cast in lead free pewter.  Because these are made by hand you can do fun things like add an extra small pin so that they sit just so (also means they have “customized” brass back plates to accommodate the extra […]
      Boston Biker
    • My Work In The Wild: Feather Head Badge With Chris King Headset January 3, 2021
      One of my customers sent me this amazing picture of my feather badge installed on their (awesome!) bike.   Check out Manofmultnomah (here and here), apparently Chris King took some interest in it as well.  Want one of your own?  Buy it here, or here... Continue reading →
      Boston Biker
    • Boston’s Invitation to Improve Biking in Boston: Draw on Some Maps! December 14, 2020
      TweetSometimes, the best way to gather ideas and feedback is to let people draw on some maps. Last night, at the Bike Network Open House, pedallovers unveiled a draft for their upcoming plans for a more connected biking network infrastructure … Continue reading →
      greg
    • Boston’s Invitation to Improve Biking in Boston: Draw on Some Maps! December 14, 2020
      TweetSometimes, the best way to gather ideas and feedback is to let people draw on some maps. Last night, at the Bike Network Open House, pedallovers unveiled a draft for their upcoming plans for a more connected biking network infrastructure … Continue reading →
      greg
    • Boston’s Invitation to Improve Biking in Boston: Draw on Some Maps! December 14, 2020
      TweetSometimes, the best way to gather ideas and feedback is to let people draw on some maps. Last night, at the Bike Network Open House, pedallovers unveiled a draft for their upcoming plans for a more connected biking network infrastructure … Continue reading →
      greg