City Releases Annual Bike Report

Got this in the email today.

Mayor Menino kicked off Boston Bikes a year ago with a strong commitment to transform bicycling in Boston. Since then, Boston Bikes has installed 250 racks, added several miles of bike lanes, started a bicyclist advisory board, worked with nearly 500 youth, and engaged over 7,000 cyclists in a variety of programs, both old and new. Hub On Wheels, Bike Friday, Bay State Bike Week, and Rock Roll & Ride were just some of the fantastic cycling events enjoyed by the Boston cycling public this year.

To learn more about the Mayor’s initiatives thus far and to find out what is in store for 2009, we invite you to join us for a public presentation sponsored by the Livable Streets Alliance. The presentation will take place on January 29th at the Boston Public Library Rabb Lecture Hall at 7:00 PM.

We also invite you to take the time to read the Boston Bikes Annual Summary. View the report.

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Boston Now Accepting Applications For Bike Friendly Business

The city of Boston is now accepting applications for Bike Friendly Businesses. Applications due February 13, 2009.

Mayor Menino and the City of Boston invite businesses and organizations to apply to become part of the Boston Bike Friendly Business program.

The Bicycle Friendly Business Program recognizes Boston businesses and organizations that engage in bicycle friendly practices in order to encourage bicycling among their employees. The application process is simple and straightforward – we provide a checklist of simple practices that make it easy to encourage cycling. Applicants indicate which practices they are currently implementing, as well as those practices that they are willing to commit to for the upcoming year.

Applications are due by February 13, 2009.

Click here for applications.

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First Annual Boston Bikes Update Report

LivableStreets Alliance will host the first “Boston Bikes Update Report” by the city’s Director of Bicycle Programs, Nicole Freedman.

The public meeting will be held starting at 7 PM in the mezzanine conference room of the main branch of the Boston Public Library. The focus will be on future steps needed to create the “world class bicycling city” that Mayor Menino has promised. There will be additional discussion about what could be done to significantly expand the cycling population — and its political influence — by attracting “traffic intolerant” bicyclists, by installing low-cost bike-friendly infrastructure in all parts of the city, and by setting up programs to assure that low-income and non-white communities feel included, among other strategies. Thursday, January 29, 7 pm Boston Public Library, main branch at Copley, mezzanine conference room. MassBike staff will be participating in this event, and MassBike members are encouraged to show up.

Click here for more information.

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Mayor’s Press Release About Bicycle Services In Boston

Got this from the Mayors office. It’s good to see the city starting to move forward with bike stuff.

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CITY OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Office of the Mayor

Thomas M. Menino

For Immediate Release: For More Information Contact:

August 5, 2008 Press Office, 617 635-4461

Mayor Announces New Benefits for Bikers

Makes good on Boston Bikes’ promises

Less than a year ago, Mayor Thomas M. Menino stood alongside the City’s new Bike Coordinator Nicole Freedman in front of members of the biking community and explained how Boston would soon become a better biking city. Today, he proudly announced bike lanes have been put down on Commonwealth Avenue in Allston and American Legion Highway in Roslindale, with more planned, and that 250 bike racks have begun to be placed across the city, per resident recommendations. He also announced that the City has released a request for information (RFI) for bike sharing, where one can rent a bike and tour the City using multiple pick up and drop off locations.

“Today, we continue to fulfill our potential,” Mayor Menino said. “As you ride in Boston – through our diverse neighborhoods, in our great parks and past our historic buildings – you feel closer to our city. It’s a connection that extends to people, because biking brings people together. Riding a bike is a fun way to deepen your relationship with this great city.”

With gasoline reaching $4 a gallon and possibly more, Boston becoming a more bike-friendly city is even more important. Biking is not only a low-cost mode of transportation; it is great exercise, great for the environment, and can help generate revenue.

A former Olympian, Freedman has since led a mapping project, asking commuters, couriers and other bike enthusiasts about where they ride in the city, using that information to help the City plan bike routes. She also works with several City departments and local business owners to find appropriate locations for bike racks. She also creates events to welcome commuters and will soon begin an education series.

Mayor Menino also took the opportunity to thank Mass Highway, Livable Streets, Walk Boston, the Institute for Human Centered Design and Mass Bike for their contributions to these projects.

This summer, Boston is hosting “Bike Fridays,” where the Boston Police Bike Unit escorts commuters to City Hall Plaza where there is free food, information and activities. The events help new commuters feel more comfortable riding downtown and also promote the health benefits and ease of biking in Boston. The next such event is Friday, August 22nd. Riders can register and find more information by checking out www.cityofboston.gov/bikes/bikefridays.asp.

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His Honnah And Others Bust Out A Bike Lane

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.

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