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More DIY Bike Goodness

Written by Boston Biker on Dec 13

Spotted this bad boy near the Brattle, amazing setup, wonder how much it can hold.


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Step By Step, The Little Things

Written by Boston Biker on Oct 16

I love getting emails like this, thanks Rik!

If you want to drop me a message click here.

—-

Fyi,

This one just appeared outside the gate of the Round Hill St community garden (at the cor of Day St) in JP.

photo

This spot used to be a favorite of cars that parked on the sidewalk, so it’s nice to see bike parking instead!

Rik


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Bike Parking Fail

Written by Boston Biker on Sep 16

A reader sent in this fine example of how NOT to draw bicycle business to your ice cream shop. Lets just say that a certain ice cream shop in Brighton seems to have a problem with people on bikes spending money at their store…I seem to recall at least once in my ice cream eating journeys having to move one of these ugly little planters (one doesn’t even have a tree in for Pete’s sake) so I could park my bike up to the very nice bike racks…

bikeparkingfail

The funny thing is, it looks like two people are still using the racks, and they look like kids bikes, the kind of kids that will spend money at an ice cream shop, perhaps if the planters were moves two or more kids could also park there and also spend money at the ice cream shop. Business owners in this town will fight tooth and nail to keep on street parking near their shops in the hopes of drawing in business, but often forget about the wallets that pedal in instead of drive.


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Posted in advocacy | 6 Comments »

Design A Bike Rack Contest

Written by Boston Biker on Mar 06

bike rack

Deadline: Thursday, April 3, 2008

Eligibility: Open to professional artists/designers based in Massachusetts. Art/design students
may also apply for this project.

Budget: Total, all-inclusive bike rack budget including design, fabrication and installation is
$7,500.

Mission Hill Main Streets (MHMS) invites qualifications for the design, fabrication and installation of a multiple-unit bicycle rack. Funding for one bike rack is currently available, but a replicable design for potential fabrication of additional racks is desired. A youth component will be integrated in the development of the project. The location of the bicycle rack will be selected in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston prior to proposal development.

Key considerations:
• Reference the character, history, fabric of the local community
• Environmentally friendly design which may include use of recycled or salvaged materials
• Durability
• Easy maintenance

The Racks of Art project is intended to create beacons asserting community character while
increasing bike parking to support and encourage bicycle use. Site-specific design will be the
result of a collaborative effort between the artist/designer and members of the Mission Hill
community, including youth. Bike racks will be structurally sound, positive in their message,
and be able to accommodate several bikes.

The goals of the project are to:
• Increase bike parking so that cyclists are not forced to lock their bikes to sign poles, trees
or fences. With additional bike racks, people will be more likely to ride bikes, knowing that
they will have secure places to lock their bikes.
• Enliven the streetscape with functional public art. Showcase art on the street for people
to enjoy for free without going to a gallery or museum.
• Stimulate the local economy by enhancing the appearance of business districts and
cultural centers, creating additional incentive for people to frequent the area. Local artists
will design and fabricate the bike racks.
• Promote physical activity as a result of the desire to use the artful bike racks.
• Alleviate environmental problems by encouraging the use of bicycles as a means of
transportation rather than relying upon fossil fuel-consuming vehicles.
• Develop a model for communities to add public art / bike parking to enhance the character
of their business districts and cultural centers.

These unique bike racks will be destinations in close proximity to where people work, learn,
shop, eat, and drink. Racks of Art will encourage people to make their commute via bicycle;
thereby saving fuel, alleviating traffic, and helping people maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Proposed locations for bike racks are also close to bike paths/routes, which will allow people
to visit these works of art safely. Once the bike racks are in place, we plan to create road
maps showing locations of artful bike racks for residents and visitors to explore the city and
see some public art of the highest quality.

Racks of Art will be a cultural product that reflects the spirit of the vibrant Mission Hill
community. The project also serves as a vehicle to provide visibility to local artists’ creative
talent.

More Info Here
. (pdf)


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Coolest Bike Rack (Evar!)

Written by Boston Biker on Jan 25

Wouldn’t it be cool if bike racks came with extra features. Like maybe a bike pump, well wait no longer! This super sweet bike rack, not only looks glamorous (who wouldn’t want to see their bike attached to it) but comes with a functional and slick looking air pump.

bike rack with pump

bike rack with air pump

(via)


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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