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New Longfellow Bridge Experience

Written by Boston Biker on Jul 29

bridge-big (picture from the globe)

 

I got my first chance to ride over the Longfellow this morning with the new traffic layout.  And I have to say its pretty nice.  They need to address some of the lights after you are off the bridge (inbound from Cambridge) to make the left hand turns safer, but other than that it was great.  I think the car drivers have learned to go someplace else/take the T/ride there bike, because there were almost no cars, and A LOT more cyclists than usual.

It would be great if they just left it one lane in each direction and put in giant sidewalks and bike lanes…but I don’t think we are there yet.  Good to know the bridge can function just fine with “extra” bike/ped accommodations though.

Anyone else ride over it yet?  Any other thoughts?


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Posted in bostonbiker, infrastructure | 6 Comments »

Longfellow To Be Closed To Bikes On Weekends During Construction (Sorta)

Written by Boston Biker on Jul 19

From the globe:

There are still a few weeks left before Boston-area residents will have to deal with weekend Red Line diversions on Longfellow Bridge — those are scheduled to come in August — but local bike enthusiasts won’t be able to use two wheels to bypass the gridlock.

Though cyclists will be allowed to travel in both directions on the bridge during most of the construction project, officials at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation have decided to bar bike-riding during the 25 weekend Red Line diversions, when the T will cease running at the bridge, and buses will instead run shuttle service between Park Street, Charles/MGH, and Kendall/MIT s tations.

“It’s purely out of concerns for safety,” said Michael Verseckes, a MassDOT spokesman.

During those weekends, the bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic to allow a steady stream of buses to cross the bridge uninterrupted, Verseckes said.

In recent years, there have been multiple incidents of MBTA buses involved in crashes with bicycles, several of them fatal. Verseckes said the agency decided it was too dangerous to have biycles riding alongside so many buses on the narrowed bridge without having a physical barrier between them.

Cyclists who want to cross the bridge will have to dismount their bikes and walk them across the bridge.

It takes all of a couple minutes to walk your bike over the Longfellow, this is really not a closure so much as a delay for most cyclists. Don’t be that person who is riding your bike through a bunch of pedestrians, just get off your ride, walk over the bridge and hop back on. Shouldn’t slow you down but a few moments.

I feel sorry for all those people in buses and cars, and anyone taking the red line, this is going to be a mess…stick to the bike.


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Posted in Commuting, infrastructure, news | 5 Comments »

What You Can Look Forward To For The Next Couple Years On The Longfellow

Written by Boston Biker on Mar 08

Long story short, shouldn’t be too big of a deal (for cyclists). There is the Mass Ave bridge for those weekends when this thing is a nightmare.


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Longfellow Bridge Under Construction Watch Out

Written by Boston Biker on Aug 27

They got the base of the Longfellow (on the Boston side) all torn up, you will have to be extra careful when you merge to get over to the bike lane.


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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