The Latest From BostonBiker.org
News, Events, Updates
Bike Safety Forum Tomorrow! (Also Dot Ave Re-Design Meeting!)
Written by Boston Biker on Feb 22From MassBike:
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MA Bike Safety Forum
Tomorrow, thanks to Senator Brownsberger and various advocacy groups, there is a public forum focused around interaction between cyclists and large vehicles. MassBike will be there, hosting one of many breakout discussion groups, with a focus on cyclist education. Join us at 6:00pm at 120 Tremont Street.
For more info and to submit your ideas and comments in advance, click here.
For our Southie members, tomorrow night is also a key meeting for the redesign of Dorchester Avenue! We encourage you to attend and share your comments in support of improved safety and bicycle infrastructure in this crucial corridor.
For additional information on this meeting, please click here.
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MassBike Moves It’s Offices
Written by Boston Biker on Jan 26Massbike is getting some snazzy new digs!
From the email.
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We’re Moving!
Don’t worry – we’re not going far! On March 1 MassBike is heading down the block to 50 Milk Street and moving in to the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), a co-working space with locations in Kendall Square and Downtown Boston. We are thrilled to be a part of an exciting and innovative environment and have invited other members of the advocacy community to join us. We want to forge stronger relationships between transportation advocacy groups in order to accomplish more. Our new office has tons of event space, so expect to see new discussion panels and events in 2016!
To go with a new office… Keep a lookout for other exciting news from MassBike! A new website is coming, Project 351, and more exciting events, partnerships, and initiatives throughout the year.
here is the press release they put out.
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Invites Local Transportation Advocates to Come Together in Shared Office
BOSTON, M.A..- (January 25, 2016) – On March 1 the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition will take an anchor position in a shared work environment with potentially other transportation advocacy leaders at the Cambridge Innovation Center at 50 Milk Street in downtown Boston. The CIC houses co-working space in Kendall Square and Boston. The long term goal of the co-working space is to create a hub of active and sustainable transportation advocacy.
With proximity to the State House, Boston City Hall, and the Department of Transportation the Cambridge Innovation Center is the ideal location to act as home-base for the crucial work that is done with government partners. The shared space will further develop the collaborative efforts within the community, increase MassBike’s ability to effectively pursue change and strengthen a unified voice.
MassBike will be an active and engaged member of the diverse CIC community, hosting various events and educational programming throughout the year. The multi-floor facility specializes in creating affordable shared space environments with event space, conference facilities and professional communication design.
“We want to put our team in an exhilarating environment alongside some of the best and brightest thought leaders. The long term goal is to make the collective bicycle lobby in Massachusetts the strongest in America. In short, we want to go to the zone defense,” said MassBike Executive Director Richard Fries.
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Key Bill Hearing TOMORROW!
Written by Boston Biker on Jan 05From MassBike:
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State House Hearings on Key Bike Bills – Tomorrow!
Tomorrow at 10 a.m., the hearings before the Joint Committee on Transportation afford citizens the opportunity to speak for or against proposed legislation. So far, we’ve received excellent feedback from the hill at the overwhelming number of letters and e-mails that have been sent in support of these bills. For that, we thank you for your efforts!
For those of you who have yet to write your lawmakers – there is still time to make an impact! The deadline for written comment is the end of the day Wednesday, January 6th.
For a summary of the bills MassBike is advocating for, more info on how to get involved, and how to find your representatives read our blog here.
To read a full listing of the bills and hearings, click here: Mass. Joint Committee on Transportation
Those interested in testifying in support of these bills in person are urged to contact MassBike at [email protected].
Safer Streets in Brookline!
This Thursday January 7th Transportation Division staff will present the proposed bicycle improvement plan for the Beacon Street westbound (Marion to Westbourne Terrace) portion of the corridor. Following the presentation members of the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Transportation Board will take public comment on the proposed plans under consideration. No action will be taken by either Board on January 7th. Copies of the report and two alternative plans are available here.
Thursday, January 7, 7pm – 9pm
Brookline Town Hall
333 Washington Street, Selectmen’s Hearing Room, 6th Floor
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MassBike Weighs In On I-90 Intersection In Allston
Written by Boston Biker on Dec 27To Whom it May Concern,
I deeply appreciate the effort made to present a number of options and schemes to re-build the Interstate 90 interchange in Allston. The public hearings have likewise been informative and illuminating, for all parties involved.
While I applaud the addition of some bicycle and pedestrian accommodation I came away rather crestfallen. After discussion with several other advocates I had to check if indeed my reaction was on target.
The collective disappointment resonated with all concerned advocates.
The narrow corridor of the project affords several different options. I respect the constraints and the efforts to integrate a variety of modes there. I’ll defer to my colleagues at the Boston Cyclists Union, Boston Bikes, Livable Streets Alliance, WalkBoston and other neighborhood groups for their expertise there.
But the plans shown for the 100-plus acre wedge of land is what left me disappointed. This 20th Century paradigm of design is revelatory. The plan seems focused on throughput for automobiles first with bikes, pedestrians and transit wrapped around that as a distant second.
We have a chance here to go to the vanguard of 21st Century thought and put the active transportation plan into place first.
Of note is that less than 29 percent of 18-year-olds even have drivers’ licenses. We know that 17 percent of college students – those all-important job creators – in Massachusetts use bikes as their first choice of transportation and transit second. Within MetroBoston the number approaches 30 percent.
So here we are in Suffolk County, which alone has 26 colleges and universities, with a parcel of land between Harvard, Northeastern, Boston College and Boston University. All of these schools discourage students from bringing automobiles to campus.
And what do we do? We design something for Mr. Drysdale and his Cadillac in classic 1960s design.
At issue here is NOT whether we can get a share of the road; we have a blank canvas. At issue here is whether we can get a share of the engineer’s mind. A generation grew up watching Fred Flintstone stuck in traffic in the past and George Jetson stuck in traffic in the future. Can we not shatter this failed paradigm?
I reflect on this while we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie Back to the Future. Just 30 years ago we thought the future would be about moving through places faster.
But we missed it.
The future, with technology, social networking and mobile phones, turned out to be about slowing down and improving where we are at with each other. Instead of rocketing AWAY from each other, we worked on improving the urban space we share WITH each other.
So let’s not make that mistake with this design. Change the paradigm.
What will our verse be when they revisit this design in 50 years?
Thank you,
Richard Fries
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Attend The MassBike Annual Meeting
Written by Boston Biker on Nov 28From MassBike:
When: Thursday, December 3rd, 7pm
Where: Forge Baking Company, 626 Somerville Ave, Somerville
You are invited to the MassBike Annual Meeting to meet the staff, the board and hear Executive Director Richard Fries discuss the 2015 accomplishments and the 2016 ambitions.
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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
