Allston-Brighton bikes

A group of BU students plans to submit an application for a new BU student organization with a mission of working toward making Boston University a more friendly, safe and supportive campus and community for cyclists. BU requires that the officers be undergrad students, ideally ones who will be around for more than just one year. Many of the students in the current group are grad students, so they’re looking for some interested and qualified undergrads…

If you’re interested, please post here and we’ll get the message to BU bikes…

and if you’re not an undergrad who wants to be an officer, please just SPREAD THE WORD!

For A-B bikers interested, there’s a young and growing organization (just like us) called Suffolk bikes… check it out at: http://suffolkbikes.bostonbiker.org

We’ve created a “(friends of) BU bikes” Google group to provide an online forum for those in our community interested in working toward a more bicycle friendly, safe and supportive Boston University Campus. Whether you are a supporter of the concept of bike lanes or “not so much”… completion of the bike lanes on Commonwealth Avenue provides an opportunity for discussion and to promote further awareness, educate cyclists, pedestrians and motorist about etiquette, laws and safety, and to work toward making Boston University a better place for cyclists and all members of the community.

If you are interested in participating, please invite yourself to the Google group (link appears under Google groups at right) and START POSTING!

CITY OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Office of the Mayor

Thomas M. Menino

For Immediate Release: August 5, 2008

For More Information Contact: 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 22^nd. Riders can register and find more information by checking out www.cityofboston.gov/bikes/bikefridays.asp.

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