What I've learned about biking in Boston

Between cruising the streets on my scooter through all temperature and weather for the last 3 years, and now riding around on my new road bike, I've learned quite a bit about biking, traffic, pedestrians, road markings, safety and of course, the selfish nature of drivers once they get behind the wheel.  I will be sharing some little things bit by bit.

Starting with something that all beginner commuter bikers might form a variety of opinions on: Bike Lanes, which are (thankfully?) popping up more and more throughout Boston and Cambridge.

Boston Biker has provided me with plenty of great information and insight to begin thinking about these lanes from the perspective of a biker and a driver, and does an excellent job of explaining HOW to use them.

Good advice from How to Use a Door Zone Bike Lane (a bike lane that has cars parked next to it):

You are going to have to trust me on this, but having two predictable vehicles (car and bike) interacting in a predictable and planned way (bike stays in a straight line, car moves over slightly passes then resumes position) is MUCH MUCH safer, than a car door randomly opening and breaking your face, collar bone, or worse. People get tossed into traffic and run over by doors opening, people swerve into cars and are run over when doors open. There is no easy way to predict when a car door will open, and getting doored is horrific (even at low speed) so the best method of dealing with it is to STAY OUT OF THE DOOR ZONE.

So far once of my confusions is when roads have bike lanes and then don't, and then do again, like when crossing over the Charles at N. Harvard or Western Ave.  I witnessed an argument between biker and driver about the biker taking a lane (a "driving" lane) after the bike lane disappeared, to get over the bridge.  There are signs on Rt. 28 near Storrow Dr about how the biker CAN take a lane, and I'd hope that maybe more signs like this will be put up around the city.

That's all for now.

p.s. New website coming soon with lots of fun stuff!

Weekend happenings and some future events...

Can't wait for fall in Boston...hope it stays decently warm enough to ride around for a few months!  Here are some upcoming events this weekend and in the next few weeks.

Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival: Ends Sat Sept 26

Join last year's 70,000 plus crowd to enjoy some of the best jazz, groove and blues music in the country in the heart of Boston.

Official Site: http://www.beantownjazz.org/

For tomorrow's schedule: http://www.beantownjazz.org/schedule.html

Hub on Wheels

• When:Sun 9/27 (8AM)
• Where:City Hall Plaza
• Address:1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 
• Cost:45.00

• For one day in September, Storrow Drive becomes a bike path.

  Join us for the 5th annual Hub On Wheels- Boston's only citywide bike ride takes place. It's your chance to ride along the Charles River with no cars getting in your way, explore the greenways and the shoreline, the neighborhoods and the communities we call home.

  Furthermore, your participation helps public school students get the technology and the skills they need to succeed in today's world. All of the proceeds from Hub On Wheels will benefit Technology Goes Home, a non-profit organization providing technology training and computer equipment to give these students the edge they need.
  

For additional information please visit: www.hubonwheels.org.

Bike Tours of Cambridge -- Oct 4, 2009

Discover new places and interesting routes between them on rides organized by the Cambridge Bicycle Committee. Most tours are themed, with brief talks and an informational brochure of images, text and map. The tours are accessible to all bike riders, moving at an easy pace in a group escorted by the Cambridge Police bicycle patrol. The rides are free of charge and end with free refreshments!

Next Ride: Pedaling the People's Republic – A History Of Political Activism In Cambridge

Sunday October 4, 2009

Departs 10:30 AM from Cambridge Common

Please arrive by 10:15 AM

http://cambridgebikes.org/

Uppereast - Oct 8, 2009

And...starting Oct 8 there's a new Thursday night women's night in Cambridge at OM. Check it out!  http://www.shuttavac.com/uppereast/

Bay State Bike Week

Thanks to Yelp, I just find out that next week (May 11-17) is the Bay State (that's MA's nickname for all those of you who may not know) Bike Week. There are events throughout the entire state. See Calendar of Events.

Bostonian's can bike to work as part of the Mass Commuter Challenge. I've already been biking at least some of the way to work (weather permitting) but I can certainly try to do it every day next week.

The site registration is a little confusing as it sets up a page where you can email friends to accept donations for the ride. However, the pledge amounts for this event are in miles, not money and I'm not sure where money would go IF you had some donated.

Anyways, you can even join a bike convoy to City Hall for Mayor Menino's Bike Week Festival on Friday morning, which is a police escorted ride to downtown Boston.

I'm registered to ride for Harvard to work each day and also joining the Allston-Brighton convoy for Friday (will I get up early enough..?). For that I need a helmet though...guess my moped helmet will have to do.