So I was at the Com Ave “first” bike lane (it has come to my attention it is really not the first one, just the first significant one). His Honnah Mayor Menino was there, and Nicole Freedman director of bicycle programs, David Watson of MassBike, and Larry Slotnick (thanks for the tip Charlie) Phil Goff from the Livable Streets Alliance, and some other guy who I have forgotten but had something to do with roads or something…Anyway.

Every century ride starts with pushing through that first mile, and that is what this was (hopefully) for Boston. The first in a series of bike lanes aimed at creating a network of well design bicycle infrastructure. Do I think these lanes are too short, yes. Do I think these lanes are on a section of Com Ave that didn’t need bike lanes, yes. Was the Mayors MASSIVE FREAKING TAHOE parked in the bike lane THE ENTIRE FREAKING TIME HE WAS THERE, yes. But does that mean I think these are bad bike lanes, hell no.

These are important first step, Nicole, David, Phil and the Mayor and all the people in all of their groups worked hard to get these lanes put in. These lanes are a token of things to come. I can only hope that these sort of infrastructure projects become so common that there will be little cause for hooplah and press coverage.

I think that a well designed system of bike lanes, bike racks, and other cycling infrastructure will shepherd Boston out of it’s dismal bicycle past (rated worst city in America for cycling). Ironically bike lanes themselves do not make bikers safer, however they do encourage more cyclists to get out on on the street, which does in fact make bikers safer. More cyclists = less cars = more cyclists = less cars, you get the idea.

I was unable to get video of the whole deal, but here is some of it from MassBike.

Thats right, Boston may be playing catch up, but it just got it’s very first bike lanes. There will be a media event next Tuesday (August 5th) at 11:00am to announce them.

This will be a press event to announce the new bike lanes on Comm Ave. between Kenmore Square and the BU Bridge. The Mayor will be speaking along with David Watson, MassBike’s executive director. It would be really great if a bunch of bicyclists could show up by 10:45. I don’t know the exact location but just look for the media trucks along that stretch of Comm Ave (my guess would be the plaza in front of Marsh Chapel?)

This should be a fun time, and hopefully a sign of things to come.

EDIT: More details below

Tuesday August 5th
11:00 AM
640 Commonwealth Ave
Courtyard, BU School of Communications

Topics: Commonwealth Avenue Bike Lanes, Rack installations…and one
item yet to be announced.

Please feel free to invite cycling friends and family, and bring your
bikes, of course.