Allston-Brighton bikes

From Chris Porter of MassBike Metro Boston: Thanks to those of you who attended the BU Bridge hearing last Thursday.  There was a great crowd of bicyclists there, including some MassBikers.  Also, we heard some very heartening news from the DCR - they have committed to putting bike lanes on the BU Bridge!  They will be analyzing a variety of lane configurations while reconstruction of the bridge deck itself takes place over the next three years (it’s scheduled to start next spring).  They will also be looking at improvements to the bike/ped crossings at both ends of the bridge.  In addition, DCR is revitalizing its bike/ped advisory group, and the DCR Commissioner is committed to looking at other improvements up and down the Charles River Basin.  All this wouldn’t have happened without the efforts of MassBike and other advocacy groups!

DCR is planning to reconstruct the bridge as-is. This is your chance to advocate for improvements to the bridge such as bike lanes and better bike/pedestrian crossings at the Cambridge and Boston ends!
Boston University Bridge Rehabilitation Project - Public Meeting
Thursday, October 16, 2008, 6- 8 p.m.
BU College of General Studies
871 Commonwealth Avenue
Jacob Sleeper Auditorium (room 129 on lower level)
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings.htm

Complete the online survey being conducted in order to inform the community benefits process with Harvard University at: http://www.abcommunitysurvey.com The survey includes questions about cycling and lots of other issues important to our community!

before A-Bbikerz and A-Bbikerkidz can ride the really fun parts o Ringer, we need to get rid of the broken glass, hypo needles, and other debris! volunteer to help clean up to prevent flat tires and injuries, and let Joan know you want to focus on the paths in the rocky area and you’re helping as part of A-Bbikes!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ANNUAL FUN FALL CLEAN UP OF RINGER PARK OCTOBER 4, 2008 - 9:00A.M. - 1:00P.M.

The Parents & Community Build Group, Inc.(501c3) and The Ringer Park Partnership Group are seeking volunteers for our Annual Fun Fall Clean Up of the 12.38 acres of Ringer Park on Saturday, October 4th from 9:00-1:00p.m. Volunteer and Join the Fun - Breakfast, Lunch, Refreshments, Work Gloves, Tools, etc. are provided. Volunteers can work any time that they choose. Ringer Park is MBTA accesible by Bus # 57 from Kenmore Station, #66 from Harvard and Dudley Stations to the Cambridge St./Union Square Stop, and the Green Line from the Allston Street Stop. Please Contact:JOAN PASQUALE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PGBG,INC. - RPPG, 617-254-0632, 617-254-7091 FAX, pcbginc@verizon.net, www.parentsandcommunitybuildgroup.org

Hello everyone,

I want to direct your attention to today’s Freep articles that talk about biking on campus.

On the front page is an article about a biker who was hit on Comm Ave:
http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/media/storage/paper87/news/2008/09/17/News/Cyclist.Hit.Near.Bu.Bridge-3435662.shtml

And an article about the bike lanes:
http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/media/storage/paper87/news/2008/09/17/News/Bike-Lanes.A.Mixed.Blessing.For.Bicyclists-3435661.shtml

Then the editorial:
http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/media/storage/paper87/news/2008/09/17/Opinion/Staff.Edit.Not.An.OpenDoor.Policy-3435674.shtml

and a student letter:
http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/media/storage/paper87/news/2008/09/17/Opinion/Letter.Concerns.About.Cyclists.Safety.Cannot.Be.Ignored-3435678.shtml

Thanks to the Freep for making this such a big issue, and we all need to pressure BU to promote biking on campus. The fact that BU passes the buck saying that it’s the City’s job to monitor the bike lanes on Comm Ave frankly is unacceptable. It is their campus and their students who use the lanes, so it should be their concern to make sure they actually work and are safe by keeping cars from parking in the lanes and enforcing safety on all accounts, for bikers, drivers, and pedestrians. I hope we can continue this discussion with the administration, and I urge everyone to add their voice.

thanks for the consideration.
best,
mook

A-Bbikes has been talking with the Boston Parks Dept., Greater Boston New England Mountain Bike Association, West End Boys and Girls Club, local bike retailers and others about developing a proposal for youth programming in Ringer Park in the rocky outcropping area that would include urban (bmx and mountain) bike programming. We’re very excited about working through new partnerships to explore how we can better utilize this area of our local park… stay tuned! If you’re interested in working with us on this project, please let us know at ABbikes@gmail.com (and please spread the word to others who may be interested and encourage them to contact us)!

posted o/b/o Peter, an A-Bbiker: “I bike. We have a 5 year old daughter and a trailer bike. She likes to bike. We live 3/4mi from her school. We live near Saunders St. and North Beacon, and her school is near Brentwood St. Yet we must cross the perilous Everett St bridge and so Mom says NO, so we drive her. My question is: what would you recommend in the short term, and are there efforts underway to help make this area safe for bikers? Thanks, Peter”

can be found at: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106008521122548670202.00044f6549489fb2bee10

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