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Your Bad Driving Is The Reason Why Traffic Is So Bad

Written by Boston Biker on Sep 04

The main reason we have too much traffic, is because we have too many people driving cars…but it also has a lot to to do with the fact that people are horrible at driving.

Want a simple way to make your life a lot better? Stop driving your car to work!

Also, don’t blame cyclists we are speeding you up, not slowing you down.

Besides all the mental anguish people suffer from driving cars, there is the very real and very serious threat of climate change. It’s long past time when you could just close your eyes and do nothing, make your life better, make everyone’s life better, ride a bike!


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NTSB Reccomends Banning All Cell Phone Usage While Driving

Written by Boston Biker on Dec 15

After a crash involving a school bus, the National Traffic Safety Board made the following recommendation.

To the 50 states and the District of Columbia:

(1) Ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices (other than those designed to support the driving task) for all drivers; (2) use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration model of high visibility enforcement to support these bans; and (3) implement targeted communication campaigns to inform motorists of the new law and enforcement, and to warn them of the dangers associated with the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices while driving. (H-11-XX)

More here

All usage, even hands free and headsets. They can’t legally make this happen, but they are influential. Frankly if cell phones were banned from use while driving I would personally feel a million times safer on the road, I can’t tell you the number of times some clueless asshole on their phone has almost run me over. Some studies show that people on cell phones are as dangerous while driving as people who are drunk. Its time we ban cell phone usage while driving. If you need to talk, pull over (check for cyclists on your right first though, and when you pull back into traffic check again).


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Posted in advocacy, infrastructure | 6 Comments »

The Post In Which I Sound Like A Smug Asshole

Written by Boston Biker on Apr 27

Hey did you notice gas prices have shot up again? Or to be more accurate gas prices have continued to go up, as they have been for a while now, but people are starting to pay attention again.

Seems that against all common sense people still pay money to own giant money sinks called cars. Cars run on oil, and it seems that oil is pricey shit. Really folks, was this really a surprise? Gas prices have been on a steady upward trend for a decade.

So we have a long term trend of higher and higher gas prices, surly the American public would be moving towards fuel efficient cars, and demanding that our government mandate higher fuel economy for cars…not so much.

Now if you live out in the Midwest someplace and you have to drive 40 miles just to get to the nearest neighbor you might want to get a car, by why for the love of all things holy does anyone who lives and works in Boston own a car? Or if you own one, why do you drive it for anything other than going to Vermont to visit Grammy?

Every day I see the same people stuck in the same traffic on their way to the same place I am going, only I get there 15 minutes sooner, my legs look better, and I didn’t spend 50 dollars to fill up my gas tank.

Why do they put themselves through such torture…every…day? It’s clear from all the honking and aggressive driving that they are not having a good time, so why do they get up every day and strap into their expensive obesity machines only to spend an hour stuck staring at the back of the car in front of them? It boggles the mind.

I would have felt sorry for you in 2001 the first time gas prices started to go up, I might have even felt sorry for you the second time they spiked, or the third, or the fourth. But honestly in the words of a great philosopher:

Let me tell you a little secret, gas prices are never going down. Traffic will never go away so long as you drive to work every day. You are never going to lose that weight sitting in your car all day. Time to get a bicycle. Your car is no longer a convenience, its a weight around your neck.

Every day I pass hundreds of people who look miserable. They sit in their little metal boxes, the smiles they left their house with long gone, the money in their wallet rapidly exiting the tail pipe, and more often than not they are viably angry with the car in front of them. Meanwhile next to them is a sea of people zooming by on bicycle, smiling happy people rich in health and dollars.

Cycling is not only faster, it is more fun. That’s right fun, you can have fun on your way to work, real actual non-drug induced fun! Not only is it fun but your ass will look amazing, your wallet will be fat with money, and you will not be such a cranky asshole.

Not to rub it in your face, but if you are reading this and you drive to work every day, you are really missing out. Bike to work month is right around the corner and you might want to seriously consider it this year.


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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