5th Annual Boston Bikes Update

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Nicole Freedman Is Back!

Great news, Nicole Freedman is back in the saddle as Boston’s bicycle director!

Nicole Freedman this week returned to her old job as director of the City of Boston’s bicycle programming, city officials announced.

Freedman, a Wellesley native and former Olympic bicyclist, worked as director of Boston Bikes from the program’s launch in 2007 until last April, when she stepped down from the post to take a job as the executive director of Maine Huts and Trails.

“Over the past five years, the program has made tremendous strides, but there’s always more work to do,” said a statement from Freedman. “We’re looking forward to another successful year of cycling in Boston.”

As director of Boston Bikes, Freedman has worked to raise awareness about bicycling in Boston, in an effort to make it more popular and safe, city officials said.

She oversaw major initiatives, including the launch of the Hubway bike share system and the installation of about 50 miles of bike lanes and 850 bicycle racks.

Freedman helped welcome the first professional bicycle race to Boston in nearly two decades, city officials said. Under her leadership, city helped donate more than 1,000 bikes to low-income residents and provided on-the-bike training to nearly 8,000 youth.

“In 2007, we set out to make Boston a world-class bicycling city, and Nicole was the clear choice for a leader who both shared that vision and had the passion to make it a reality,” said a statement from Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “Since her departure, Boston Bikes has continued to thrive and improve access for all cyclists, and we’re thrilled Nicole has joined us again to keep that momentum going.”

Freedman left her City Hall post as the so-called “bike czar” on April 20; her first day back was Wednesday. During her nearly nine-month absence, Kris Carter served as interim director. He will now return to his advisor to the mayor.

“I’m so excited to be back in Boston, and grateful for the vision of the mayor, and the work of Kris Carter and the team of people who have continued to lead Boston Bikes on a successful path,” Freedman said. (via)

I am very happy to see her return, Kris Carter did a great job, but nothing beats a dedicated bicycle director. Whoo hoo!

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Farewell From Nicole Freedman, Director Of Bicycle Programs

I got this in the email, I will be very sad to see Nicole go, as she did a lot of great things for this town.  I can only hope whoever they get to replace her will continue her legacy.
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Dear Friends,

As many of you know already, today is my last day as Director of Bicycle Programs for Mayor Menino and the City of Boston.  As of Tuesday, I will begin my new position as the Executive Director of  Maine Huts and Trails in Kingfield, Maine.

It has been a tremendous honor to serve you all over the last five years. When I began the position in 2007, Mayor Menino pledged to transform Boston into a world-class cycling city.  I am proud of how far we have come and our many accomplishments.

1. Launching the New Balance Hubway bike share system
2. Installing 50 miles of bike lane
3. Earning national recognition by the League of American Bicyclists and Bicycling Magazine
4. Implementing a model Community Bike Programs which has donated more than 1,000 bicycles
5. Installing 850 bicycle racks

I am confident that the program will continue to thrive on behalf of the residents and visitors to Boston.  Boston Bikes remains a high priority for the administration.

With deep respect and appreciation,
Nicole Freedman

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4th Annual Boston Bikes Update (New Date)

4th Annual Boston Bikes Update (New Date) – Tuesday Feb. 28th 6:15 – 8 p.m. Boston Public Library, Copley Square, 700 Boylston Street / Rabb Lecture Hall

Free and open to the public

Nicole Freedman, Director of the Boston Bikes Program, will present her fourth report on past achievements, challenges, and future goals of the Mayor’s effort to create a “world class bicycling city.” Come hear details on Hubway bike share, the Bike Network Plan, parking facilities, youth programs, festivals, and more.

And this year the Mayor is scheduled to make an appearance.

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City Of Boston Responds To Charlestown Bike Lane Removal

I sent an email to Nicole Freedman the head of Boston’s Bike programs asking her if she wanted to say anything about the removal of the bike lanes in Charlestown. Here is what she had to say.

We did remove the bike lanes. We are still very committed to having bike lanes in Charlestown. Prior to installing, we had not paid enough attention to the public process. In the long-term interest of having a successful bike program, we decided it would be best to start he process over and have the whole community involved. We hope to be able to put back bike lanes in the future when the community is ready and with the community support.

It would be an amazing irony, if after the whole community process happens, these lanes go right back to where they were. This will most likely serve to keep the side opposed to bike lanes deeply entrenched in their opposition to them, if only to save themselves the embarrassment of putting bike lanes back down on the same street they had them ground off of.

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