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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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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An Introduction To Riding And Racing For Women With Nicole Freedman

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected] 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.

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