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Boston Bikes Update

Written by Boston Biker on Apr 27

Monthly Learn-to-Ride Clinics for Women

Know any women who never learned to ride a bike, or haven’t been on a bike in years?Registration for our free learn-to-ride clinics is now open. Taught by women for women (anyone who identifies as female), our clinics are a great way to get on a bike and keep rolling!

Clinics will be held on May 9th, June 20th, July 18th, August 25th, September 15th, andOctober 17th. For complete details visitbostonbikes.org/programs/women/learn-to-ride

Join our team!

Boston Bikes is looking for a confident urban cyclist to help organize our Women’s Initiative on a part-time contract basis through August. At least two years of program management experience required, plus excellent communication skills. To apply please email[email protected].

Hubway Reopens on Friday

Nothing says spring like Hubway bikes sprouting up around the city. The full system reopens on Friday April 17th (except for a handful of stations along the marathon route, which will reopen after Patriot’s Day). So dust off your key fob and get ready to pedal! And if you don’t have a membership, now’s a great time to sign up.

Next Friday is Bike Friday!

Join us on April 24th for the first Bike Friday of the year. This is the first year that we’re hosting an April Bike Friday; help us make it a success! Pedal, on your own or with one of our many convoys, to City Hall Plaza from 7-9am and you’ll be greeted by a festival full of bike-friendly vendors. As always, we’ll have free breakfast provided by Boloco, Iggy’s Bread of the World,Larabar, and Whole Foods!

Registration is free, but it helps to know you’re coming. Please note that breakfast is only for people who bike to City Hall Plaza.

Get Biking Challenge

Boston Bikes is hosting the Get Biking Challenge to encourage K-8 students to bike more during May, National Bike Month. Students will record how many minutes they bike each day, and all participants will be awarded with prizes. Top schools and classes will earn a variety of prizes such as the coveted Golden Pedal Award, free bike raffles, bike field trips, and more! Schools need to register for the challenge and it can be coordinated by a teacher, administrator, other school staff, or parent volunteers. For more information, visit our website:bostonbikes.org/programs/get-biking-school-challenge

Major Steps Forward for Biking and Walking in Boston

On March 24th, the Boston Transportation Department unveiled plans to make a stretch of Commonwealth Avenue one of the most progressive multi-modal corridors in the country. The design incorporates protected intersections and physically protected bike lanes on both sides of the avenue. We hope that this is just one of many more cutting-edge projects to come! Thank you to the many advocates and allies who worked hard to make this happen.

The day after the Comm Ave Public Meeting, Mayor Walsh announced that Boston will adopt Vision Zero. This comprehensive strategy prevents traffic fatalities through effective policies and systematic evaluation, enforcement, engineering, education, and community engagement. Boston Bikes is a part of the Vision Zero task force which will be planning the program’s roll-out over the next few months. Read more about Vision Zero and the Commonwealth Avenue plans here.

More Bike Parking in Boston

Last year we exceeded our goals and installed more than 300 bike racks. You can find the locations of all public bike racks in the City of Boston using our interactive map.

We continue to work on increasing bike parking. Our installers are currently putting in new racks across Boston; we recently got approval to install 30 more racks in the Back Bay Historic District; and we have more in our queue that we are moving through the approval process. Our goal is to make it easy for you to park your bike anywhere in the City of Boston.

Help Us Recover from the Winter

The record-breaking snow damaged a record number of racks. And as the snow continues to melt, abandoned bikes are popping up around Boston.Report broken racks and abandoned bikes using thecitizens connect app or by filling out a service request form. Please be sure to include a picture that shows the rack, or bike, and its location (i.e. the building behind it). This helps us expedite the repair / locate the bike.

Please note that the City of Boston is only able to remove bikes that are attached to public property. If the bike is locked to a fence, or other private property, you will need to contact the property manager to have it removed.

Bikes and Bites Beneficiaries

Congratulations to the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, Femmechanics, and the Dorchester Community Food Co-op who have been selected as the beneficiaries of Bikes & Bikes, the 2nd Annual Women’s Bike Ride & Festival. Proceeds from the ride will be donated to these groups. They are working to make Boston a healthy and vibrant city. Read more about them below, and don’t forget to register for Bikes & Bites.

Image credit: Mattapan Food and Fitness CoalitionThe Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition is a grassroots movement in the Mattapan community. Their goal is to make Mattapan known as one of the healthiest communities in Boston. With easy access to affordable and healthy food, clean, safe, walk-able, and bike-able streets, residents of all ages and abilities will take regular advantage of the abundant and inviting play spaces.

Image credit: FemmechanicsFemmechanics is a group of FTW (femme/trans*/women) folks who bike. They organize Grrrease Time, an open-shop time for people to come learn about wrenching on bikes, and to form community and solidarity amongst FTW cyclists.

Image credit: Dorchester Community Food Co-opThe Dorchester Community Food Co-op (DCFC) is a multi-stakeholder cooperative enterprise that will provide economic opportunity and access to healthy, affordable food for residents of Dorchester and the surrounding neighborhoods.


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Boston Bikes Update

Written by Boston Biker on Aug 27

From Boston Bikes:

————-

Last Bike Friday of the Year!

Kick off your Labor Day weekend this Friday morning by riding to City Hall Plaza and enjoying breakfast with us! Bike in on your own or join a convoy from all over Greater Boston. And, a special challenge for the last BikeFriday this summer: Recruit a friend or colleague to come with you! Don’t forget to tell us you’re coming! Free breakfast will be provided by our friends at Boloco, Larabar, and Iggy’s Bread of the World!

This month we have a new Mattapan/Dorchester/Roxbury Convoy! Complete details on all convoys can be found here.

Photo credit: Lee Toma


Work With Us

We are seeking applicants to join our team of Youth Cycling Instructors. Youth Cycling Instructors teach in-classroom and on-bike workshops to students in grades 2-12 during the school day in the Boston Public Schools. For more information, visit http://www.bostonbikes.org/about/getinvolved/work-with-us/


Bikes Lanes Coming Soon!

We’ve been working hard to get new bike lanes in the ground! Keep your eyes open for new lanes in these neighborhoods / on these streets:

East Boston: Maverick St, Border St, Marginal St, Orleans St, Jeffries St
Mattapan: Ballou Ave, Willowood St, Woodrow Ave, Walk Hill St
South Boston: West 4th St, Dorchester Ave, Albany St
West Roxbury: Baker St, VFW Parkway

There are several other streets that are in design and will hopefully be coming soon!


Vote for the Next Hubway Unicorn

Earlier this month Hubway put out a call for design ideas to be considered in the #HubwayEveryday Bike Design Contest, and five finalists have been selected. Now it’s your turn to decide which one will be turned into a limited edition, one-of-a-kind, “unicorn” Hubway bike.

Click here to view the finalists and cast your vote.

When you vote, you can also enter for a chance to win a free Annual Hubway Membership!

Voting will run through Tuesday, September 9th, 2014, at11:59pm ET, and you can only vote once. The winning design will become the newest ride in Hubway’s fleet of more than 1300 bikes. Place your vote now!


Boston’s First Women’s Festival a Success!

Boston Bikes held New England’s first-ever women’s bike ride & festival earlier this month in Millennium Park. Over 150 women enjoyed riding together, learning new skills, and celebrating with live music, food and fun. It was inspiring to see so many women on bikes, and the happy faces at the finish line brightened an already gorgeous day. Count on watching this event grow and improve every year! We want to thank our generous sponsors including Boloco, Larabar, Hubway, Zipcar, Rialto, Bern, Landry’s, Ferris Wheels, Equal Exchange, the Museum of Science, the Coolidge Corner Theater, and Whole Foods. We’re also incredibly grateful to our partners who led clinics or contributed volunteers to the event, including the Luna Chix, the Boston Cyclists Union, Hubway, and the Boston Bike Party.

And finally, we want to extend a special thanks to Gary and Maureen Briere of River’s Edge Cycling, who provided instrumental logistical support in organizing this event. River’s Edge produces the annual Berkshires to Boston ride, which is coming up in September. There’s still time to register ride, or join River’s Edge for a day as a volunteer.

Pictured above: City Councilor Ayanna Pressley sending off 150+ riders on the first-annual Boston Women’s Bike Ride & Festival.


Mark Your Calendars: Mayor’s Cup & Hub On Wheels

Mark your calendar to come down to City Hall Plaza onSaturday, September 20th for the TD Bank Mayor’s Cup. Enjoy the Boloco Block Party and watch professional cyclists race around downtown Boston. The next day, experience the city on two wheels as part of Hub on Wheels, riding on a car-free Storrow Drive and discovering Boston on a 10, 30, or 50-mile route. And, new this year, you can select to have a portion of your entry fee donated to supporting Boston Bikes programs!More info.


ReadBoston Launches BookBike

Earlier this summer we helped the Boston Public Library launch the Bibliocycle, a mobile library powered by bike. We’re proud to also announce the launch of ReadBoston’s BookBike, a bike-powered trailer that brings books out to ReadBoston’s Storymobile program, which seeks to increase literacy and distribute books in Boston. Click here to see a video about the new trailer.


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Boston Bikes Hiring For Bicycle Instructors

Written by Boston Biker on Aug 21

two cool jobs from Boston bikes.

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Boston Bikes employs a small team of part-time, somewhat seasonal employees, primarily for Community Cycling Programs. Once you’re a part of our team, you’ll have opportunities to support all of our projects.

We are actively seeking Cycling Instructor candidates for September-October 2014. 

Cycling Instructors (actively hiring):

You don’t need to be a bike expert: An affinity for teaching, youth development, and a relentless work ethic are much more important. Reliability and professionalism are expected at all times. We’re looking for people who take personal pride in their work, regardless of whether you’re teaching a classroom or loading a truck. Work happens primarily during day time hours on weekdays (during the school day), with some night and weekend events. Applicants should live in the City of Boston or anticipate living in Boston before beginning employment.

Cycling instructors work as part of a team to teach cycling skills and safety to kids and teens in the Boston Public Schools as part of our Youth Cycling Program, which serves over 5,000 youth per year. Our program visits a school for two weeks with a fleet of bikes and helmets. On the first day, instructors lay the groundwork for safe riding including helmet fitting, signaling, and safe biking behaviors during a classroom-based workshop. The rest of the time, instructors lead on-the-bike activities and games to reinforce safety lessons and to expose kids to the fun of riding a bike. Cycling instructors also support our Roll it Forwardprogram by leading safety workshops and fitting recipients for helmets and bikes.

This is a fun job, but without a doubt, it is highly physical work. Our instructors and mechanics are constantly lifting bikes, loading trucks, and climbing stairs. If hired, you will be expected to jump in, learn quickly, and be ready to get your hands dirty. Training is provided, but the ability to learn on-the-job is just as important.

To apply, send a resume and a short message of interest to Jenny Duquette. Please include an overview of when you would be able to work and how many hours you seek. Resumes should focus on teaching experience, youth development or early-childhood development, and bicycling experience (if applicable). Unfortunately we cannot guarantee a response to all applicants. CORI background checks will be performed on candidates that advance past the interview.

Jenny Duquette
Community Cycling Program Manager

City of Boston – Boston Bikes
Boston City Hall Suite 932
Boston, MA 02201
Office:  617-918-4253
[email protected]

Learn more about Boston Bikes and our Community Cycling Programs at www.bostonbikes.org!


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This Friday Is Bike Friday! Free Breakfast At City Hall, And More!

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 24

I am never one to turn down free grub, bike update from the city below:

 

Free Breakfast at Bike Friday – June 27th
 

Join us for fun, music, food, and bike love on City Hall Plaza during Bike Friday on June 27th. Join one of 10 convoys or bike over on your own.
Free breakfast provided by Boloco!
 
To register and for more information visit: bikefridays.org/ 
 
Volunteer as a ride leader: bit.ly/BFvolunteers
We especially need leaders for the Allston-Bright Convoy.

 

Save the date for Bike Fridays on July 18thAugust 29th.
Before you come, check out this video about Bike Fridays:
Save the Date – Women’s Bike Festival, Aug 16th

Visit bostonbikes.org/women and sign up today to receive more info about our women’s program and upcoming Women’s Bike Festival atMillennium Park.

Boston Bikes’ Women’s Program is a series of rides, clinics and events to encourage women to experience the joys and benefits of biking, and to build community among women who bike.

Upcoming Women’s events:
July 10th, 5:30 pm Boston Tasting Tour

Meet at Chinatown Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway for a taste of some of Boston’s more unique local restaurants. Your taste buds will travel three continents as we ride through the South End and Back Bay. Ride ends in the North End for dessert on the waterfront.

 

July 19th, Mom and Kid Ride

Location TBD. Enjoy an easy-paced, off-street ride for women and kids! Event includes bike decorating, face painting and an ice cream party.

August 7th, 5:30 pm Farmers Market Tour

Meet at the Ruggles T Station and get your shopping done by bike. We’ll ride to the Bowdoin-Geneva farmers market and end in Dudley Square.

 

More info about these events can be found at bostonbikes.org/women

$5 Hubway Subsidized Memberships

$5 Subsidized Hubway Memberships are available to ALL low-income residents of Boston 16-years and older.

Call 617-918-4458 or e-mail [email protected] to see if you qualify.*
 
Not eligible, but love the idea? Help spread the word!
We work with dozens of local organizations that serve low-income residents and support Hubway membership as an opportunity for more active living. This includes community centers, churches, parent organizations, social justice organizations, affordable housing coalitions, or any group that represents numerous eligible individuals. If you can help us make connections to any community groups, call 617-918-4458 or e-mail [email protected] to find out how you can get involved.
  
*In most cases, college students are not eligible to receive a subsidized membership.
Corporate Hubway Memberships
Did you know your company/organization/school can sign up for a corporate Hubway account and offer discounted Hubway memberships to employees/students? Add this benefit for your employees while providing a green transit option!
You can select the level that is right for your company and get your employees/students out riding in no time!
Register for Hub on Wheels
Join us on Sunday, September 21st, 2014 for the 10th annual Hub On Wheels citywide bike ride, presented by Mayor Walsh and TD Bank. Experience a car-free Storrow Drive, explore hidden pathways and historic neighborhoods, and take in beautiful views of the Boston Harbor. The ride starts and finishes on City Hall Plaza in downtown Boston, with three different routes to choose from: 10, 30 and 50 miles. SIGN UP NOW for what’s sure to be the best ride of the year.
 
New this year: designate $5 of your registration fee to be donated to one of four organizations, including Boston Bikes!

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Boston Bikes Update: Launching A Women’s Program

Written by Boston Biker on Jun 08

From The City Of Boston:

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Boston Bikes’ Women’s Program Launched!

 

Boston Bikes is proud to introduce our new Women’s Program, aseries of rides, clinics and events to encourage women to experience the joys and benefits of biking, and to build community among women who bike. We provide support for women of all skill levels – from the first-time rider to the seasoned urban commuter. Help the Women’s Program grow! Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter! Check out ournew website. Follow us on tumblr, or subscribe to our rss feed. And join one of our upcoming rides or events…

MomandKid

Mom and Kid Ride 6/14 
Please join us for our inaugural Mom and Kid ride, just around the corner on June 14th in Franklin Park. We’ll take an easy loop around the park and then enjoy a picnic and ice cream social courtesy of JP Licks.  Bikes, kids, ice cream – what’s not to like? We’re offering a free kid’s pass to the Franklin Park Zoo to the first 100 people to register (requires purchase of adult zoo pass), so sign up now! And yes, we love dads too… mom and kid are welcome to invite the men in their lives.

BikeSocial

Women’s Bike Social to Boston Breakers 6/19

For women looking for a (slightly) more grown-up night on the town, our Women’s Bike Socials provide a fun weeknight outing by bike, each with a different theme and destination.  On June 19th we’ll ride from the JP Boat House to Harvard Stadium, where the Boston Breakers will take on the Seattle Reign. We’re offering free tickets to the soccer match to the fist 30 women to register.  Space is filling up fast, so sign up now!

 

LTRLearn to Ride Clinics

For women who never learned to ride or who can’t remember the last time they were on a bike, our Learn- to-Ride clinics provide on-bike training led by experienced urban riders. Our free two-hour clinics help women gain the skills and confidence to get on a bike and keep on rolling.

 

FestivalWomen’s Bike Festival August 16

Finally, toward the end of the summer we’ll celebrate our success with a Women’s Bike Festival. Group rides, clinics, mountain biking, kids races, food, music, fun! Mark your calendars, August 16th, Millennium Park. Stay tuned for more details.

  Pledge

Help Grow Boston Bikes’ Women’s Program!

Every day more women are choosing to bike, but we need to keep the momentum growing to accelerate that trend. We invite all Boston Bikes’ friends to take the pledge to inspire more women to get on a bike.  

 

If you’d like to volunteer for our Women’s Program events (especially the 6/14 Mom and Kid ride!), please email  [email protected].

Other

In Other News…

Our next Bike Friday is June 27th. Who can resist FREE delicious Boloco breakfast burritos with other cyclists on City Hall Plaza. RSVP to let us know you’re coming. We’re also looking for volunteer route leaders.

And we have lots of events coming up over the summer – bike give-aways, a mobile bike library, community outreach events, and more. If you haven’t already, join our volunteer list so we can plug you in to an upcoming event.

 

 
Questions? E-mail [email protected]

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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