Allston-Brighton bikes

For A-B bikers who may be interested, according to Gerald Autler “both the Harvard IMP process and the Community-Wide Plan process for all of North Allston/North Brighton will be looking at bicycle lanes/paths and parking. There are no specific plans produced yet…but [Mr. Autler provided us with a copy of] the Scoping Determination recently issued that gives Harvard direction on its master plan, including bicycle accommodations.”

As Mr. Autler suggests, there’s not a lot of specific substantive content relating to bikes… but there is mention throughout. For those interested, we have uploaded the complete document to this website.

Of particular note is the following excerpt:

“• Existing Bicycle Network. In conjunction with the BRA and other public agencies,
Harvard shall identify the key deficiencies in the existing bicycle network that serves North
Allston/North Brighton for internal travel as well as for travel to surrounding areas. Of equal
interest to vehicular/bicycle and vehicular/pedestrian conflicts are those locations where
pedestrians and bicycles may not be compatible, or that may present challenges as more
comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle networks are constructed in the future.”

We urge A-B bikers to post your feedback here so it can be communicated to the BRA and to Harvard University to be included as part of the planning process.

Dear Friends of Mayor Menino’s Bicycle Program,

I would like to invite you to attend the Mayor’s Bicycling Press Announcement on Tuesday 8/5 at 11:00 AM. Details are as follows.

Tuesday August 5^th

11:00 AM

640 Commonwealth Ave

Courtyard, BU School of Communications

Topics: Commonwealth Avenue Bike Lanes, Rack installations…and one item yet to be announced.

Please feel free to invite cycling friends and family, and bring your bikes, of course.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Keep smiling,

Nicole Freedman

Director of Bicycle Programs

One City Hall Square, Suite 932

Boston, MA 02201

617.429.8440

Nicole.Freedman.bra@CityofBoston.gov

Hey folks… here’s a brief update on what’s been happening recently with A-B bikes…

At our last formal meeting held June 24th… unfortunately our meeting was a bit shorter than expected as we got started late because of the weather (lots of storms that day!) There were some new folks so we spent a decent chunk of our time doing (re)introductions, bringing folks up to speed on the the last meeting and what we’ve been doing since. We also spent some time discussing specific groups/projects, including our online map of bike parking/racks in A-B (thanks again to Zach!), interest in some organized rides, and youth initiatives.

Chris (R.) from Citizen School(s) at the Edison school is the lead on the bike apprenticeship program planned for the fall, and is coordinating the group of volunteers from A-B bikes who are interested in being instructors or otherwise supporting the apprenticeship. He was also soliciting bike and helmet donations, but I understand from him and Nicole that since our last meeting the City of Boston has agreed to lend a number of bikes for the program. See the postings on our website under “Youth” for more detailed information and updates.

Zach’s Rax – thanks again to Zach for his efforts and time and creating the annotated, interactive google map of bike racks in A-B! We’re still looking for a volunteer(s) to complete the small portion of Allston that Zach did not cover… please post on our website to let us know if you’re interested in helping out!

Nicole was unable to attend our last meeting, but provided us with an update on what Boston Bikes (City of Boston) is doing/planning that would be of interest to A-B bikers… The biggest projects she is working on that effect A-B include: installing racks, pushing for bike lanes, creating the Boston Bikes map and launching Bike Fridays (cycling convoys plus breakfasts on City Hall) similar to Bike Week. Here’s more detail from Nicole:

INSTALLING RACKS – Nicole is still accepting any specific requests and anybody from A-B bikes who wants to do so should send her a request. She needs the street address and shop in particular. To make a request, all you have to do is send back the appropriate form(s) (provided by Nicole and to be posted on our website soon – in the meantime please feel free to email Chris D. to get an electronic copy).

BIKE LANES Nicole’s identifying requests for roads that right now could fit a bike lane with minimal work (i.e. just adding lines). The road needs to be at least 46 feet wide (if parking and 1 travel lane) and 68 if two travel lanes. Requests can be emailed directly to Nicole.

BIKE MAP – Nicole would love to have A-B bikers comment on the map draft we have and get their input. The best way to do this is at our next meeting. Nicole can bring a map and have people manually make comments.

BIKE FRIDAYS – Nicole has provided information regarding the event which will be posted separately under “news” and “events” on our website. Nicole would like A-B bikers’ help recruiting 3 ride leaders for the Allston convoy, plus our help in recruiting as many riders as possible for this ride. If A-B bikers are able/willing to flyer Allston/Brighton again (like we do for meetings, etc.), Nicole’s office can pay for the flyers and get them to us. The first “Bike Fridays” event is July 25th, the 2nd is August 22nd. Nicole is working on a police escort which will make the ride really cool!

You can contact Nicole at:

Nicole Freedman
Director of Bicycle Programs
One City Hall Square, Suite 932
Boston, MA 02201
617.429.8440
Nicole.Freedman.bra@CityofBoston.gov

That’s the update for now… stay tuned for more information about our next meeting and other events… and in the meantime, ride safe!

Zach’s RAX survey:

I covered most of A-B (as the map will show you) but not Allston north of the pike. Some observations:

1. More bike racks would be great in Allston Village (Harvard and Brighton). There are lots of people who ride there, and currently there are bikes attached to meters, trash cans, signs, etc for lack of racks.

2. More bike racks would be great in Union Square (Brighton and Cambridge). There’s a bunch of vegan/cycling friendly places there and my friends and I are there always with no where to park. TJ’s Pizza are big cycling promoters and they deserve a big rack outside!

3. Brighton Center could use more racks, especially on the south side of Washington.

4. Shaws on Comm Ave could always use another rack. It’s always full at rush hour and on weekdays

5. The absolute best kind of multiple bike racks (in terms of # of bikes and sheer good lockability) are the ones they have all over the MIT campus: the long big bar across the top with many little triangle hanging vertically from the big bar. That way any type of lock can fit the wheel AND frame. The best kind of single bike racks that I have found are the ones they have in Cambridge: poles with a vertical circle made of solid steel. They can even be combined with parking meters. The reason these racks are good is because the racks are skinny but very strong. That way any type of u-lock can fit around as many things on the bicycle as possible. The wide diameter racks are kind of pain to tell you the truth, and pretty inefficient. For whatever reason, these are all over Boston and they just don’t make sense in my opinion. Also, I have often seen racks installed by simple bolts without any sort of cement to “permanently” secure the rack to the ground. That doesn’t help much. We need racks that encourage people to lock their bikes appropriately. Ie, with as small a u-lock as possible that fits around wheels AND frame. Without the racks to encourage it, people are going to continue to use crappy cable locks or just put the u-lock around a wheel or a frame. Bike theft will continue to be a problem.

6. For kicks, I’ve often thought it would be really neat to get local artists and cyclists to collaborate on making beautiful sculptures that are nice public art AND extremely functional for bikes racks. Multiple use for public spaces! Just putting that out there.

Hope this helps. Thanks.

~ZSH

See Zach’s RAX map here.

View Larger Map

Rosie of Brighton Main Streets has asked for our help mapping out existing bike parking/racks in Brighton so we can get a better sense of needs for additional bike parking… any volunteers?