The Latest From BostonBiker.org
News, Events, Updates
My Morning Commute
Written by Boston Biker on Oct 08
As I open my door the pleasant whirrrrrr of an old internal three speed coasting down the hill greets my ears.
Looking left I see an elegantly dressed woman swishing past in the crisp morning air.
As I mount my bike I see my neighbor carrying his bicycle down the front porch stairs of his home.
We exchanged slight head nods, I have never spoken to this person, but because we both ride bikes we make contact.
The sun shines peacefully as I join the tiny tributary of cyclists in Union Square. First one, then two, collect at the red light, then start together, forward.
Three, then four, then many. The tiny tributary becomes a running stream of cyclists heading towards Cambridge.
By the time I reach Hampshire street the cyclists outnumber the cars, heading in groups of ten or more towards downtown. The bike counter already reads over 300.
We move as a large mass towards Boston, moving in groups bunched up by the rhythm of the red lights.
Our swift movement a sharp contrast to the relatively few cars that have none the less managed to clog the streets.
The incline of the Longfellow does its work thinning and spreading out the group of cyclists into a long line. Each cyclist propelling themselves over its gentle hill.
The view from the top the best in town, the Red line rumbles past with its hermetically sealed occupants pressed against the windows.
Boston is such a contrast, the many cyclists much dart and weave around opening doors, parked cars, walking pedestrians. The bicycle lanes are gone.
This morning however the cyclists have carved out their own passage, taking street space, even though none was set aside for them.
The car drivers conceded them their lane, perhaps bowing to their superior numbers. Perhaps in a concession to their superior speed.
Downtown, a heady rush, impotent stuck cars and distracted pedestrians. Car horns and high rises.
Pillars of finance moving busily, money on their minds, do they know that only a bicycle is economical enough to profitably ply these streets?
Then work, with its fluorescent dead air pallor, can never match the glory of the commute.
The pain is tempered knowing that you get to do it all again on the way home!
Add to Reddit. Posted in bostonbiker | Comments Off on My Morning Commute
The Word On The Street
Here is what people are saying
- Where bicycles are prohibited in Massachusetts August 16, 2023TweetThe 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, 2023TweetThe 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, 2021Welcome 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, 2021Made 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, 2021One 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, 2020TweetSometimes, 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, 2020TweetSometimes, 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, 2020TweetSometimes, 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
