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News, Events, Updates


New Bike Lanes Popping Up All Over The Place

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 30

Not only have the cities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston been out in force re-painting old bike lanes, but I have seen some new ones go in as well. School street in Somerville  got a new one, Mass Ave in Central saw a slight modification to some old one (see below), and there have been other small and large changes around town.

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These are the new Central Square treatments. I like how they have tried to make sure the parked cars get right up against the curb, leaving just that much more space for non-door zone bike lane.

Have you noticed any new bike infrastructure? Tiss’ the season to be laying down thermo-plastic it seems.


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More Shared Priority Lanes Installed On Brighton Ave!

Written by greg on May 15

stay a kid thumbGreg Hum (Contributor) plays drums on his bike, gets people together for really big midnight and monthly bike rides, and is easily distracted by shiny things and fried potatoes. He shares stories and more on his personal bike blog, The Humble Cyclist.
Connect with Greg on  Twitter | YouTube 

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Just a little while ago, Jasmine Laietmark snagged these shots of city workers laying down the thermoplastic for more priority use lanes on Brighton Ave. in Allston!

Screen Shot 2014-05-15 at 12.14.50 AM

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Priority lanes are as Globe Reporter Martine Powers called “Sharrows on Steroids.” Kind of like shared lane use markings you’ve seen around town but with dotted lines to indicate to bicyclists and drivers where bicycles safely belong (in the middle of the car lane)

Looks like these go from Packard’s Corner to Harvard Ave. And if these look familiar, it’s be because you may have noticed these same priority lane markers farther down Brighton Ave. on the between Harvard Ave. and Cambridge St. since they were installed a few months ago).

On my first ride down the priority bike lanes, I immediately noticed more cars changing lanes to pass me rather than queuing up behind me and riding up close to my tail. It felt less stressful and a lot safer to bike on Brighton Ave. which was both strange and a huge relief.

According to Boston Bikes plan for priority lanes on Brighton Ave., we’re still
in Phase 2 of this plan. During Phase 3 of this plan this coming Fall, these dotted priority bike lanes will get painted green.

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This is pretty exciting since this type of shared priority lane is an idea born from local Northeastern Civil Engineering Professor Peter Furth and Boston is still one of the first cities to put it into practice.

And I’m not just excited for Boston being one step closer to a complete network of bicycle infrastructure that one day I’ll get to ride on – I’m also excited for the thousands of college students who will inevitably return to Allston in the fall will have a much safer bike commute up and down Brighton Ave. than I once did.


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Boston Bikes Update

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 21

Lots of good stuff below from the City Of Boston:

HelmetHub Launch

 

We are proud to announce that the first helmet vending machine in the country can be found at Boylston St and Mass Ave. This machine will help HelmetHub gather information and we hope to start the next Hubway season with more stations around the city. Make sure you visit the machine while you still can.

 

We are sad to announce that Hubway will be shutting down for the season. Station closures began on November 18th, and the 2013 season will end on November 27th. Please visit http://www.thehubway.com/news for information about specific station closures.

New Bike Lanes Installed
We’re on track to reach our goal of 20 miles of new bike lane in 2013! Have you seen or ridden on the latest additions to Boston’s bike infrastructure?

These lanes have recently been installed or are in progress:

  • VFW Parkway – From: Centre Street, To: Brookline Town line
  • VFW Parkway – From: Spring St, To: Brookline Town line
  • Mount Vernon St – From: Old Colony Ave, To: University Drive North
  • Freeport St – From: Dorchester Ave, To: Conley Street
  • Stuart / Huntington – From: Harcourt Ave, To: Dartmouth St
  • Adams St – From: Neponset, To: Hancock
  • Ashmont – From: Dorchester Ave, To: Neponset Ave
  • Cross Street / N Washington Street
Upcoming Public Meetings  
These meetings are part of the Connect Historic Boston project.
Atlantic Ave / Commercial St
11/20 – 6:00pm – Nazzaro Community Center, 30 N. Bennet St
The City of Boston will present a Concept Plan for Atlantic Avenue / Commercial Street (from Christopher Columbus Park to Hull Street) in the North End as part of the Connect Historic Boston initiative. The goal is to transform this corridor into a street with sufficient space for pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles to share the road comfortably.

Causeway St

11/21 – 6:00 pm – CBT Architects, 110 Canal St, 02114
This will be a public meeting to discuss the redesign of Causeway St.

Donate to Roll It Forward

 

“Though a bike may be thought of as a toy, it can also be a machine of empowerment that can change someone’s outlook on life.” –Canton Citizen
Recently, our work was highlighted in The Canton Citizen. The Canton Girl Scouts will be hosting a bike drive on November 24th from 12 – 3 pm at the Canton Public Library.

We are always accepting bike donations. If you have a bike to donate please visit http://www.bostonbikes.org/programs/roll-it-forward/donate. If you would like to host a bike drive please contact our Community Programs Manager, Jenny Duquette, atjenny.duquette@cityofboston.gov

BU’s new Bike Safety website is a valuable resource for cyclists of all abilities. It provides safe cycling tips, Boston cycling laws, and Charles River Campus and Medical Campus bike rack maps, and more.

With the new BU Bike Accident Toolkit, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists have the ability to leverage the technology in their mobile device to create a digital record of their accident. Available free of charge to iPhone and Android users, this new app automatically records the date, time, and GPS coordinates, and prompts the user to ask the important questions and document the accident with photos, video, and recorded witness statements.

 

           


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New Bike Lanes On Cross Street (Maybe)

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 19

An eagle eyed reader spotted what look like baby bike lanes (soon to be painted) on cross street.

 

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These were taken looking north at Stillman Place and Cross Street and also just before the intersection of Cross and Valenti Way

 

We can only hope that is what they are, although they look like bike lanes.  Thanks John for the awesome shots, and keen eye.


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Support Bike Infrastructure Down Town

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 19

From the email

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Support safer streets: Causeway St public meeting 
LivableStreets Alliance, Boston Cyclists Union, MassBike and WalkBoston invite you to attend and speak up at a meeting presenting a new plan for Causeway Street – a crucial link in the proposed Connect Historic Boston Bike Trail downtown.

Causeway Street redesign public meeting 
Thursday, Nov. 21, 6:00 PM
@ CBT Architects, 110 Canal Street, Boston

LivableStreets, Boston Cyclist Union, MassBike and WalkBoston collectively support the following ideas as foundational themes for Causeway Street:
1) A grand plaza in front of the TD North Garden.
2) When events let out, pedestrians get full priority.
3) Improved sidewalk and crosswalks.
4) Physically separated bike lanes (cycletracks) for people biking.
5) Safe connections to existing and future bikeways.
6) Wayfinding signage and pavement indications to help pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and drivers find their destinations.

Click here for more information on these six key points.


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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