The Latest From BostonBiker.org

News, Events, Updates


Make Way For Bike Lanes Ride!

Written by Boston Biker on Apr 17

Ride with us to tell the City of Boston it’s time to Make Way for (protected) Bike Lanes!
Join us Sunday, April 23rd for a bike ride around (& around & around…) the Boston Public Garden to demonstrate to the City of Boston that we need safe bike facilities connecting our neighborhoods, paths, and parks NOW! 
 
In 2012 the City of Boston created a plan for protected bike lanes around the Public Garden, and then chose not to implement that plan. We’ve been waiting over 5 years for a safe, low-stress bike route around the Public Garden. Now, the City’s recently released Go Boston 2030 Action Plan proposes protected bike lanes around part of the Public Garden within the next 5 years, and the rest being built in the next 12 years.
We can’t afford to wait another 5-12 years for a safe, low-stress route connecting our neighborhoods, paths and parks. It’s time to tell the City to make way for bike lanes, NOW! Our ride will demonstrate that there is not only enough space to build protected bike lanes, but there is also desire and demand within the community.
Meet us at Copley Square at 2pm, and we’ll ride to the Public Garden at 2:30. We’ll do laps around the Garden from 2:30pm-4:00pm. Feel free to ride as much or as little as you want, and hang out at the corners of the Garden to cheer on your friends!
This ride is named after the popular children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings” because it perfectly illustrates how the roads surrounding the Public Garden feel dangerous and uncomfortable for most people since they encourage high motor vehicle speeds.
Following the ride we’ll go to Cheers on Beacon Street.
Click here for more information about the ride (including duck costume suggestions.)
Make Way for Bike Lanes
Sunday April 23, 2:00-4:00 PM
Meet at Copley Square at 2, depart Copley at 2:30
Water station at the corner of Beacon Street and Charles Street

submit Make Way For Bike Lanes Ride! to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags:
Posted in advocacy, events, fun | 1 Comment »

Historic Middlesex Canal Bike Tour – Saturday April 1st

Written by Boston Biker on Mar 19

The Middlesex Canal Association Presents:

Spring Bicycle Tour of Historic Middlesex Canal

 

On Saturday, April 1, 2017, the Middlesex Canal Association will present its spring bicycle tour of the Middlesex Canal.  The Canal was the “big dig” of the end of the 18th century.  Completed in 1803 after 10 years of construction, the Canal connected the Merrimac River in what is now Lowell with the Charles River at Sullivan Square in Charlestown.  In many ways it served as a model for later canals including the Erie Canal. The Canal remained in operation for 50 years, providing both passenger and freight service, but could not compete successfully with the Boston and Lowell Railroad which began operation in the 1830’s.

 

The ride will depart from the Lowell Train Station shortly before 11AM. You can take your bicycle on the 10 AM train from North Station which arrives in Lowell at 10:43. (Riders can also board at West Medford at10:11 or just meet at Lowell Station). There sill also be an early group that will take the 8:00AM train from North Station to allow more time in Lowell and breakfast at the historic Owl Diner, aka the Four Sisters.  Route visits the Pawtucket and other Lowell canals, river walk, Francis Gate, and then Middlesex Canal remnants in Chelmsford. Quick visit to Canal Museum, then on to Boston.

Lunch at Route 3A mini-mall in Billerica.  Long day, but sunset is late. Riders needing to leave early can get the train to Boston at 1:07 at North Billerica or at 3:14 at Wilmington. Participants are responsible for one-way train fare [$10.00 from Boston to Lowell]. Complete Lowell line schedules can be downloaded if anyone wishes to plan a rail travel itinerary specific to their needs.

The route is pretty flat and level and we will average 5 miles per hour, so the ride will be an easy one for most cyclists.  Along the way we will stop at a number of remnants and restored sections of the Canal, as well as the Mansion of Loammi Baldwin, the chief engineer of the Canal (who discovered the Baldwin apple while building the Canal), the two remaining aqueducts  (which carried the Canal over rivers and brooks), and the northern end of the floating towpath that carried horses over the Millpond.

The ride will be led by Bill Kuttner (617-241-9383, [email protected]) and Dick Bauer (857-540-6293, [email protected]) of  the Middlesex Canal Commission . Helmets required.  Steady rain cancels.
For more information about the Middlesex Canal go to:http://www.middlesexcanal.org


submit Historic Middlesex Canal Bike Tour – Saturday April 1st to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: ,
Posted in events, fun | Comments Off on Historic Middlesex Canal Bike Tour – Saturday April 1st

4/29 Is The Boston Neighborhood Bike Forum

Written by Boston Biker on Feb 27

From the email:

———

The Let’s Get Healthy, Boston! project will be hosting a Boston Neighborhood Bike Forum on Saturday, April 29th in Dudley Square. This event is meant to bring together Boston residents to connect, share, learn and envision what biking could be in our neighborhoods.
The save the date is below (and attached) and a link to the Facebook event can be found here. Please share as you see fit and stay tuned for more details.


submit 4/29 Is The Boston Neighborhood Bike Forum to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: ,
Posted in advocacy, events | 1 Comment »

Go Boston 2030

Written by Boston Biker on Feb 26

from Livable Streets:

After two years and feedback from thousands of people, the City of Boston is releasing its Go Boston 2030 Vision & Action Plan

LivableStreets has been involved throughout the Go Boston 2030 planning process to ensure that our city keeps moving forward. This plan wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of advocates like you.

Will you join us in celebrating the release?

Go Boston 2030 Vision & Action Plan Release
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 6:00 – 8:00PM
@ Boston Public Library
700 Boylston St, Boston, MA
Cost: Free with RSVP

register.png

Childcare and language interpretation services will be available, and refreshments will be served starting at 5:15pm. If you’re unable to attend the evening discussion panel, there will also be an announcement with Mayor Walsh at 11am and a day-long exhibition, both at the BPL. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for event updates throughout the day!

We hope to see you at the Boston Public Library on March 7th!

LivableStreets Alliance

http://www.livablestreets.info/


submit Go Boston 2030 to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags:
Posted in advocacy, events | Comments Off on Go Boston 2030

Crucial Inman Sq Meeting Tomorrow (Tues 1/24)

Written by Boston Biker on Jan 23

Get out there and let your voice be heard!

Got this in the email:


Inman Square is one of the most dangerous intersections in Cambridge and we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make it a place that’s safe for everyone. The city is in the process of redesigning the intersection and will be presenting their plans for public feedback tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan 24 and we need you to show up!

WHAT: Inman Square redesign public meeting
WHEN: Tomorrow, Tuesday January 24, 6–9PM
WHERE: Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge Street, Macht Building 3rd floor
RSVP and SHARE the Facebook event

It is critically important that we get a great turnout at the meeting to speak out for safer, protected infrastructure for people from 8 to 80 years old. There are two major design options: a “wrap-around” and the “peanut-about” proposed by the Boston Cyclists Union. (See designs for both here)

We look forward to seeing the city’s wrap-around options in more detail at the meeting, but based on what we know now, we strongly support the peanut-about proposal as it achieves the key goals of protected bike infrastructure, improved pedestrian safety, and efficient design. Representatives from Kittleson & Associates who worked on the peanut-about will be at the meeting tomorrow to answer questions.

KEY TALKING POINTS:

  • Inman Square is one of the city’s most dangerous intersections for bicyclists and pedestrians.

  • The top priority for the redesign must be to improve the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages.

  • Protected, separate bike infrastructure is absolutely necessary and must be a part of the solution. It will also maintain the vitality and uniqueness of the square.

  • The peanut-about design is the best option for the city to achieve the goals of a safer intersection for people of all ages and abilities.

One last note: If you haven’t filled out our survey about the pop-up winter pilot protected lanes on Mass Ave yet, please do so now! We’ve got over 150 responses so far. Please share it on Facebook & elsewhere so we can help make the spring network as successful as possible!

Sincerely,
Annie, Nate, and other members of the CBS core team


submit Crucial Inman Sq Meeting Tomorrow (Tues 1/24) to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , ,
Posted in advocacy, events | Comments Off on Crucial Inman Sq Meeting Tomorrow (Tues 1/24)

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