The Latest From BostonBiker.org

News, Events, Updates


Neponset Greenway Completion State Funding Commitment

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 13

Got this in the email from DotBike, pretty awesome that they have agreed to fund this project, its been in the works a long long time. If you have never ridden on the green-way, you should its gorgeous pretty much year round.

———————————-

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department
Office of Governor Deval L. Patrick
Press Release
Contact: Heather Johnson, Bonnie McGilpin, Juli Hanscom – 617-725-4025; SJ Port (DCR) – 617-626-1453; Cyndi Roy (MassDOT) – 857-368-8500
Follow us on Twitter – View our Photos – Watch our Videos
PATRICK ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE NEPONSET RIVER GREENWAY CORRIDOR
$1.9 million for design to complete bicycle and pedestrian path; connecting communities and improving the transportation network
BOSTON – Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – The Patrick Administration today announced $1.9 million in capital funding to design the completion of the Neponset River Greenway Corridor. The project will complete the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) bicycle and pedestrian commuter system that follows the Neponset River from the outer suburbs, through Boston neighborhoods and into downtown.
“Investing in healthy, alternative modes of transportation will benefit residents today, and leave a lasting impact on the Neponset River Greenway Corridor for generations to come,” said Governor Deval Patrick.
“Working together with our partners at MassDOT, we are going to get this important project completed,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan. “The path will provide a safe alternative for bicyclists and pedestrians. Increased use of cleaner transportation options will protect our environment and serve our Greater Boston communities better.”
In addition to the design costs, MassDOT has committed to fund the construction of the project which is estimated between $11-15 million.
Making it a convenient commuter option, the project route lies within a half mile of 11 rail transit stops and connects its users to jobs, higher education, cultural institutions and recreational facilities in Boston. The current Greenway Corridor is nearly 10 miles long and contains a bicycle and pedestrian network that hosts more than 10,400 users each day. Once construction is complete, usage is expected to double.
“One of our primary goals at MassDOT and the MBTA is to effectively tie all modes of transportation together to provide travel choices, improve the environment and preserve capacity on our highways,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. “By working together, DCR and MassDOT will be able to construct the final links to the Neponset Greenway and take a major step toward meeting the area’s travel demands.”
The completed network will make bicycle and pedestrian travel safer by creating off-road segments and bridges that take walkers and riders safely past Expressway ramps and over trolley tracks through Hyde Park, Mattapan, Milton and Dorchester.
“DCR considers the completion of the Neponset River Corridor to be a signature project that will connect our Blue Hills Reservation to Boston Harbor, while providing more access to public spaces for residents in urban neighborhoods, connecting communities and improving the transportation network,” said DCR Commissioner Edward Lambert. “Parks and pathways are priority investments for the Patrick Administration because they provide healthy and alternative forms of recreation and transportation.”
The design of this project is the result of partnerships formed over 20 years ago between residents of Boston and Milton, as well as the sponsoring state agencies at DCR and MassDOT, and community organizations such as the Boston Natural Areas Network.
The project’s local match includes contributions from corporate neighbors such Stop & Shop and National Grid. That match reflects the partnership that underlies this project and that will continue to make it successful. 
This partnership is a part of the Patrick Administration’s larger efforts in transportation planning for all modes of travel. One of MassDOT’s priorities is completion of the Bay State Greenway (BSG). The completion of the Neponset River Greenway is one of the BSG 100 – MassDOT’s highest priority shared-use paths: 100 miles of new paths that would make additional connections to urban centers, extend existing paths and maximize the transportation network.

submit Neponset Greenway Completion State Funding Commitment to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in advocacy, infrastructure | No Comments »

Signs Of Life, Signs Of A Revolution

Written by Boston Biker on Jan 14

IMG_20130111_080639

I took this a couple days ago when it was really cold. It’s often hard to tell how many cyclists are out on the streets. They leave traces though.

With the recent warmth I have noticed a storm of new riders in the morning, and I am sure for every four or five I see there are 10-20 that are riding at slightly different speed/times than me.

There is a revolution out there, all year, all weather, lots and lots of people on bikes!


submit Signs Of Life, Signs Of A Revolution to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , ,
Posted in fun | 3 Comments »

Emerald Necklace Bike Path Under Construction

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 06

I have gotten reports that the emerald necklace bike path between longwood and park st is under construction (see map here).

Anyone else notice this? Anyone got a good detour route for people?

(thanks Geoff for the heads up)


submit Emerald Necklace Bike Path Under Construction to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Commuting, routes | 4 Comments »

Milton Plans To Build Giant Wall To Keep Poor Masses In Boston Where They Belong

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 29

Today the globe reported that Milton, our rich pale neighbors to the south, plan on building a giant wall around their town. When asked why every Milton resident was out putting sand in bags, and hauling cinder blocks to the border, Milton police chief Richard G. Whiteguy said “We worry about opportunities not only for those on the bike path but also for criminal perpetrators to now have an easy opportunity to cross into.” (via)

Mattapan Invasion Plan

When the reporter ran that phrase through the politically correct translator here is what the computers printed on the screen “We don’t want any black people coming into our neighborhood.” Wall started construction started immediately. When residents heard that black people could now enter their town by bike path, they realized they might also be able to enter via road, train, or even walking.

“A giant wall is the only thing that can save us.” Added one particularly melanin free resident, “With giant spikes!” added another helpfully. When asked what they were worried about Brian O’Caucasian repplied “The people who come and go here — we know them all,’’ he said in a phone interview. “If you put a bike path through the neighborhood, it would take that sense of safety away.’’ (via) Translated through the PC-o-matic that roughly translates to “We don’t want any black people coming here, because we think they are all criminals, only the people who live here now are OK.”

Local bikers, and pedestrians of Mattapan have lamented that the new wall will cut right through the proposed bike lane that would complete the Neponset River Green Way path. “I guess with the advancement in technology that allowed bridges to cross the river, the Milton residents had no choice but built a wall, I mean how else would they keep us out?” Said Mattapan resident Peter Cyclist. When informed that bridges have been around for thousands of years, and that several currently exist that will allow Boston residents to travel into Milton Mr. Cyclist responded “Seriously? Well ain’t this some racist bullshit then.”

Full report here.


submit Milton Plans To Build Giant Wall To Keep Poor Masses In Boston Where They Belong to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , ,
Posted in advocacy, news | No Comments »

New Pavement On Southwest Corridor Bike Path

Written by Boston Biker on Jul 05

Smooth like butter, the new pavement on the southwest corridor is done, and it is nice! Anyone else ride it yet? What are your thoughts?


submit New Pavement On Southwest Corridor Bike Path to reddit.com Add to Reddit.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in fun, video | 12 Comments »

The Word On The Street

  • RSS Here is what people are saying

    • Worry About The Rain All Day, Walk Outside And The Rain Stops: Rain Day Open Thread June 18, 2013
      Tweet oh yea! Post your best rain day adventures in the comments. […]
      Boston Biker
    • More Gems from the Geekhouse Vault June 17, 2013
      Tweet Here’s another bike that we’ve been working on for a while, Evan P’s custom painted (by Spectrum Powderworks) polo bike with S&S couplers. We did a special box crown fork for him that we have only done once before … Continue reading → […]
      geekhousebikes
    • Newton Bike Update (Tonight) June 17, 2013
      Tweetfrom the email, check it out if you are in the Newton area: The Second Annual Newton Bicycle Update will have all the details: Monday, June 17, 6-7 pm, War Memorial Auditorium, City Hall (Psst–last year the City got an … Continue reading → […]
      Boston Biker
    • Politicizing Bike Shares For Personal Gain June 17, 2013
      Tweet In a country where cycling has a negative image, bike share programs can be very controversial. This is particularly true in the U.S. where urban areas are densely populated and jammed up with virtually non-stop traffic. A small number … Continue reading → […]
      IsolateCyclist
    • Urban Foraging And Bike Tour TONIGHT June 14, 2013
      TweetLast minute, but you could run over after work and it looks awesome. ——————– Friday, June 14th, 5:30 pm Nick Woebske and Galen Mook lead a bike tour at dusk around the perimeter of the Alewife Reservation. Edible plant expert … Continue reading → […]
      Boston Biker
    • Moving on up. June 14, 2013
      TweetWhen Dan and I made the big move to Boston, we were lucky to find an apartment in a two-family slightly below market price in East Arlington. When the house sold to a new owner, they promised they wouldn’t raise … Continue reading → […]
      nanda
    • Boston Police District C-11 Presents Summer Safety Day Bike Rodeo June 13, 2013
      TweetTake the little ones out and get them trained in bike safety, parents might learn a thing or two as well. (from DotBike) ——————————– Saturday, June 15, 2013 10:00am until 2:00pm in EDT Boston Police District C-11 presents Summer Safety … Continue reading → […]
      Boston Biker
    • Neponset Greenway Completion State Funding Commitment June 13, 2013
      TweetGot this in the email from DotBike, pretty awesome that they have agreed to fund this project, its been in the works a long long time. If you have never ridden on the green-way, you should its gorgeous pretty much … Continue reading → […]
      Boston Biker
    • Sanctimonious Drivers Lecturing Random Cyclists June 13, 2013
      Tweet   Although the title of this post seems to say it all, there is more worth saying. The story behind what led to this post is as incredible as it is disheartening. It goes like this: The other day, … Continue reading → […]
      IsolateCyclist
    • 2013 Bikes Not Bombs Bike-A-Thon June 12, 2013
      TweetOn June 2nd, I participated in the 26th annual Bikes Not Bombs Bike-A-Thon along with my 18-month old daughter who rode in the copilot’s seat. This is the second time I’ve participated in this event, having previously ridden the 2011 … Continue reading → […]
      bikecommuter