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Bikes In Cuba!

Written by Boston Biker on Apr 23

Regardless of why or how people came to use bikes in Cuba, they do, and they use them for just about everything. Charlie sent in these beautiful photos of his recent trip to Cuba, and the awesome way in which bikes are part of the culture there.  If a relatively poor nation like Cuba can integrate bicycles into the fabric of commerce, we shouldn’t have any problems at all.

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From Charlie:

I just got back from a two week trip to Cuba where I found that bikes play a
significant economic role in the country.
I have some pictures posted here:


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Detroit Dreamcyclers Hit Detroit Auto Show

Written by Boston Biker on Jan 26

19 art students walking around an auto show with imaginary bikes. I really liked this video, mostly because I think a lot about how automobiles are marketed to people, and how reality doesn’t match up very well with that marketing (see here and here and here and here and here for examples of my past thoughts on the subject).

The dada like absurdity of the imaginary bikes highlights the absurdity of Detroit continuing to put its eggs in the automobile industry basket. Plus it looked like fun.


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Bikes Vital In Post Sandy Rebuilding And Aid Distribution

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 21

Once again bikes kick ass. I will say it again, add “bicycle” to your list of disaster preparedness items, you wont be sorry.


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Federal Funding For Bicycles In Danger!

Written by Boston Biker on Jul 18

Via MassBike Act now to keep these idiots from removing the tiny amount of federal money currently spent on bicycles.

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Last week, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee released its proposed six-year transportation bill, which would cut funding to critical bicycle and pedestrian programs such as Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School.  These programs have been essential in improving bike safety around the state. The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program has provided $2.4 million for bike and pedestrian infrastructure at schools since 2007, and over 1,200 students participated in SRTS bike safety courses in Spring 2011 alone. The second important funding source, Transportation Enhancements, has been used for multi-use paths, rail trails, and other improvements around the state – over $15 million in bike and pedestrian investments since 2005.

 

The current proposal would not only eliminate dedicated bike and pedestrian funding, but also cut overall federal transportation spending levels by 33% and reduce federal transit funding by 34%.  At a time when our roads are crumbling, trains and buses are breaking down, and communities struggling to build bike and pedestrian facilities, this proposal will erase decades of progress.  We need you to call your representative and senators and urge them to preserve dedicated bicycle funding.

When you call, you can use these talking points:

  • Funding For Bicycling And Walking Is At Risk We are concerned that this proposal will lead to the elimination of funding for programs such as Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School.
  • We Already Underinvest In Biking And Walking Just 1.5 percent of federal transportation dollars currently support bicycling and walking, although these two modes represent 12 percent of all trips in the United States. Bicycling and walking are growing in significance to our transportation system and yet only a tiny fraction of transportation funding is allocated to these essential and affordable modes.
  • Bicyclists And Pedestrians Make Up A Disproportionate Number Of Roadway Fatalities 14 percent of roadway fatalities are bicyclists or pedestrians. Small investments in improving roadway safety not only make our roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians but also make drivers feel more comfortable and reduce conflicts among all road users.
  • Biking And Walking Are Great Investments Bicycling and walking improvements are relatively inexpensive, highly cost-effective investments that produce more jobs per dollar than road repair and upgrades; they also boost local small businesses and increase real estate values.
  • Biking And Walking Help Solve Many Problems In these tough economic times, we must invest in solutions that solve multiple problems: biking and walking are low-cost transportation options that improve safety, health and air quality; they reduce dependence on foreign oil.

All of our representatives and senators expressed support for bicycling when we visited them in Washington, DC, in March for the National Bike Summit. Now more than ever it is important to remind the Congressional delegation to step up and defend these programs and current funding levels. Please contact your Congressional Representative asking that they maintain dedicated bicycle and pedestrian funding in the transportation bill. Here are the phone numbers for all the U.S. Representatives for Massachusetts:

 

District Rep Name Office Number Email
1 Rep. Olver, John 202-225-5335 Contact Rep. Olver
2 Rep. Neal, Richard 202-225-5601 Contact Rep. Neal
3 Rep. McGovern, James 202-225-6101 Contact Rep. McGovern
4 Rep. Frank, Barney 202-225-5931 Contact Rep. Barney
5 Rep. Tsongas, Niki 202-225-3411 Contact Rep. Tsongas
6 Rep. Tierney, John 202-225-8020 Contact Rep. Tierney
7 Rep. Markey, Edward 202-225-2836 Contact Rep. Markey
8 Rep. Capuano, Michael 202-225-5111 Contact Rep. Capuano
9 Rep. Lynch, Stephen 202-225-8273 Contact Rep. Lynch
10 Rep. Keating, William 202-225-3111 Contact Rep. Keating

 

Don’t know who your U.S. Representative is? Click here and enter your address to find out.

And our two U.S. Senators:

 

Senator Name Office Number Email
Senator Kerry, John 202-224-2742 Contact Sen. Kerry
Senator Brown, Scott 202-224-4543 Contact Sen. Brown

Take action and stand up for bike/ped programs and restoration of funding to transportation!


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The World Has Changed

Written by Boston Biker on Apr 14

Love it.


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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