Want to know what the city has been up to? Come check out their annual presentation. Went last year, it was informative.

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Second Annual Boston Bikes Report Event by Nicole Freedman, Director of Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes

Hosted by LivableStreets Alliance
Thursday, December 10, 6:30-8:00 PM (doors open at 6)
@ Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, Copley Square, 700 Boylston St

Free and open to the public

Nicole Freedman, Director of the Boston Bikes Program, will present her second annual report on the past achievements and future goals of the Mayor’s efforts to create a “world class bicycling city.” Ms. Freedman will discuss plans for the city’s bike sharing program, bike lanes and off-road networks, bike parking facilities, youth programs, bike festivals, and more.

Want to ask Nicole Freedman the bicycle programs director a question? I got this in the email a moment ago.

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I wanted to let you know that today @ 3:30pm Inhabitat is hosting a live
webinar discussing Boston’s new bike sharing program. Joining us is former
Olympic cyclist and Boston Bike Czar, Nicole Freedman, and all listeners
will have the opportunity to participate and ask questions. As the driving
force behind the United States’ first city-wide bike sharing system, Nicole
is an incredible resource for anyone interested in greening their city and
improving the urban landscape for cyclists.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/10/21/join-our-chat-with-boston-bike-czar-nicole-freedman-this-thurs-at-2pm-est/

Got this in the email….seems that Boston is running cycling as fast as it can to catch up with more bike friendly cities like New York and Cambridge.

I for one am very impressed with the amount of effort they have put in over the last couple months. The problem was how far behind we started. If they can keep up this level of infrastructure improvement in a couple years Boston will be a pretty kick ass town to ride a bike in! Huzzah to the city, and huzzah to keeping up this pace!

Interesting things to note about this press release

“bike network currently being designed” and “This project is part of a greater project to create a complete network, with accessibility to existing facilities in the network including the South West Corridor and Arnold Arboretum.” = WEEEE! A bike grand plan yes, we have needed one of these for a long time, lets hope they involve the local neighborhood bike groups and MassBike, Livable Streets and others in the planning.

“At the northern end, 12 on-street parking spaces will be removed between Arboretum Way and Ukraine Way” = YIPPY! I have come to the conclusion that on street parking is a bane to everyone (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and businesses) anytime we can kill a couple is a good time.

Press release below.

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Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes to install bike accommodations on Belgrade, Corinth, South and Washington Streets

What are bike lanes?
Bike lanes are sections of road designated for exclusive use by cyclists.

What are shared lanes?
Shared lanes are sections of roadway designated to be shared between bikes and cars. A bike symbol is added, but no lines to indicate an exclusive bike lane. These are often used when there is not sufficient space for a dedicated bike lane.

Why install bike lanes?
Belgrade, Corinth, South and Washington Streets are important parts of the bike network currently being designed by the City. These roads in particular, help cyclists traveling between West Roxbury, Roslindale, Forest Hills and ultimately downtown Boston. It is only fitting to make this road as safe as possible, for all users.

What about safety?
Bike lanes are proven to make the roads safer for all users. They do so in the following ways: Provide guidance for vehicles wishing to pass cyclists; Designate safe riding zone for cyclists; Encourage cars to drive at slower, safer speeds; Encourage cyclists to bicycle more respectfully and predictably; Reduce the number of cyclists biking on the sidewalk; Make pedestrians and vehicles more aware of cyclists.

What are the project limits and scope?
The City will install bike accommodations on Belgrade, from West Roxbury Parkway to South Street; on South Street from Belgrade to Washington; on Washington from south Street to the Forest Hills T and Corinth, from Belgrade to Washington. This project is part of a greater project to create a complete network, with accessibility to existing facilities in the network including the South West Corridor and Arnold Arboretum.

What is involved with installation?
Work will take place over 1-3 days, in October, typically between 7 AM and 3 PM. Parked cars may need to be temporarily removed.

Will parking be impacted?
With the exception of the northern end of the project, parking will not be impacted by the bike lanes. At the northern end, 12 on-street parking spaces will be removed between Arboretum Way and Ukraine Way. Impacts are anticipated to be minimal as off-street parking is generally available in this area.

Will traffic be impacted?
In general, traffic will not be impacted by this project. Changes are proposed between Arboretum Way and the Ukraine Way. Currently Washington Street operates as two lanes southbound from the Forest Hills Orange Line station to just north of Arboretum Way where it becomes one lane southbound. To accommodate bike lanes in this area, the lane switch from two lanes to one will be moved north as the center southbound lane at Ukraine will become a left turn only lane and one southbound lane will be provided south of this point.

Contact Nicole Freedman, Bike Programs Director, 617-918-4456,
nicole.freedman.bra@cityofboston.gov

Boston Bikes is part of Mayor Menino’s vision for a vibrant and healthy city that benefits all its citizens. It seeks to make Boston a world-class bicycling city by creating safe and inviting conditions for all.

Got this from the city today. Want to brag how bike awesome your business is? Sign up and show your stuff! Deadline is Feb 13 so act now!

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Dear Friend,

We invite you to apply to Mayor Menino’s Bike Friendly Business Program on behalf of your organization or business.

Mayor Menino’s Bike Friendly Business Program recognizes businesses and organizations that encourage bicycling among employees. We’ve done all the hard work. We came up with a checklist of simple ways that you can encourage cycling. All you need to do is check off what your organization or company does.

Apply on behalf of your company or organization. Applications should be submitted by February 13, 2009. All winners will be announced and honored by Mayor Menino at a reception in April.

The Bicycle Friendly Business Program is an integral part of our efforts to turn Beantown into Greentown. We want to honor those businesses, residents and community leaders who are at the forefront of sustainability.

To download forms, please go to the City’s website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/environmentalandenergy/greenawards/pdfs/greenawards_bike_2009.pdf .

For more information, please contact Nicole Freedman via email Nicole.Freedman.bra@cityofboston.gov, or phone at 617-918-4456.

Thanks for helping spread the word.

Nicole Freedman
Director, Boston Bikes
617-918-4456

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.

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.

The Boston Road Club and Wheelworks Presents

An Introduction to Riding and Racing for Women

By Nicole Freedman,Olympian and Two-time National Champion

Saturday, April 19 3:00-5:30 pm Belmont Wheelworks 480 Trapelo Road 617-489-3577

(Bikes not required but recommended)
Former professional cyclist, Nicole Freedman,will lead the clinic and start with an indoor session at Belmont Wheelworks, which will cover:

• Training Philosophy
• Race Strategy
• Clothing
• Bicycle fit
• Bicycle Maintenance and Repairs

Sunday, April 20 12:15-4:45 pm Wells Ave. Newton, MA
(Bikes required)

Nicole takes the clinic outdoors to the BRC’s well-known and long time practice race course at Wells Ave. to teach and practice on-the-road skills drills including:
• Individual Bike Handling
• Group Bike Handling
• Pace-lining
• Cornering
• Sprinting

Join them for a fun and laid back clinic providing an introduction to riding and racing! The clinic is designed to provide an introduction for women who would like to learn the basics of riding and racing. An interest in racing is helpful but not required, the clinic will also provide plenty of useful information for those interested in generally improving their riding skills.

Requirements Fee
The fee for the clinic is $10. They request that you bring the fee with you on the day of the clinic.

Pre-registration
They request that you pre-register for the clinic in person at Wheelworks, by phone to Wheelworks at 617-489-3577, or via e-mail at brc_wheelworks_clinic@yahoo.com.

Bikes
They request that you bring your bike both days. On the first day, bikes are not required although they are recommended for the bicycle fit, maintenance and repairs portion of the clinic. On the second day, bikes are required since the day consists of on-the-bike drills.

Questions
If you have any further questions, please direct them to Kelly Chang, Clinic Director, at brc_wheelworks_clinic@yahoo.com or to Wheelworks at 617-489-3577.

Nicole Freedman is a really nice person and very cool, any ladies out there that want to lean to be awesome couldn’t find a better teacher.