Mayor Menino Convenes First-Ever Bicycling Safety Summit

Mayor and City Officials Call for a Shared Respect When Traveling Boston’s Roadways and Encourage Helmet Use

Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the city’s first-ever Bicycling Safety Summit at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, April 21 at Boston University’s Morse Auditorium. The Summit will gather area bicyclists and high-ranking city officials to discuss ways of improving safety for everyone who uses Boston’s roadways. The Mayor’s announcement comes in the wake of a third recent bike accident and ahead of Boston Bike Week next month.

Mayor Menino has ordered the Boston Police Department (BPD) to immediately launch a focused enforcement effort aimed at both cyclists and motorists in an effort to assist them to better share the road. Officers will more proactively seek out and fine for safety violations committed by those on a bicycle and those operating a motor vehicle. This effort will include the strict enforcement of Massachusetts laws dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian safety. The BPD is also researching the possible implementation of an enhanced reporting mechanism to document all accidents involving bikes.

Two years ago Mayor Menino developed Boston Bikes to increase cycling safety around Boston through the use of marked bike lanes and various educational campaigns. Since, Boston has seen much improvement including:

* the installation of 15 miles of bike lanes with another 20 slated for this year;
* the publication of the first-ever Boston Bikes map;
* the installation of more than 500 bike racks;
* the formation of the Boston Bikes Advisory Board designed to advise city officials on how best to implement proven safety measures such as dedicated bike lanes;
* and the passage of a city ordinance making it illegal for cars to be parked in bike lanes, the enforcement of which will be heightened by Boston Transportation Department ticket writers.

In light of the recent accidents, however, city officials encourage people to:

* Visit the Boston Bikes fanpage on Facebook or join the Boston Bikes Twitter feed to learn more about the program and share concerns about specific roads in Boston;
* Call the Mayor’s 24-hour Hotline at (617) 635-4500 if they notice a safety concern that needs immediate attention including roadway obstructions like potholes or debris;
* Visit the Boston Bikes homepage at www.cityofboston.gov/bikes to receive updates on the Cycling Safety Summit;
* Visit www.massbike.org to register for classes on bicycling safety conducted by MassBike on April 22, May 6 and May 19 at City Hall;
* Wear a protective helmet at all times when riding a bike (helmets can be bought for $5 at the Boston Medical Center gift shop);
* Come to the Bicycling Safety Summit on Wednesday.

Pedal with Mass Bike in the Arlington Patriots Day Parade

One Wheel, Two-Wheel, Three-Wheeled Friends

NOTE 

There has been a slight time change

Kids of all ages get ready to bike in the Arlington’s Patriot Day Parade.  For the first time ever, there will be bikes in the parade so let’s make a colorful splash. 

Mark your calendar! Spread the word! Decorate your bike.

Ciclismo Classico will give prizes to the top five most festively decorated bikes.

Spread the word, tell your friends! 
Check out the KIDS ART PARADE they have in NYC every year

Pedal pushers Parents in bicycle-friendly Arlington are divided over an effort to get children to ride their bikes to school

If one were to name some particularly bike-friendly suburbs of Boston, Arlington might be first on the list.

	Discuss
	COMMENTS (86)

No corner of the town is more than a few miles from the Minuteman Bikeway, the most popular bike path in the country. The town is home to two bicycle stores and a bike club whose members set off on long rides every Saturday and Sunday morning. A bicycling committee advises town leaders on bike issues. And yet, until recently, school officials informally banned children from biking to school.

2010 National Bike Summit: It’s a GREAT time to be a cyclist

In addition to gathering with over 700 of the county’s most passionate cycling advocates, industry players and cycling legends like Gary Fisher, there were many exciting moments and developments during this week’s 10th annual Bicycle Summit in Washington D.C. 

On Tuesday’s opening reception, we heard from Tim Blumethal, director of Bikes Belong, officially launched peopleforbikes.org– a brand-new initiative to put more people on bikes more often. They are collecting one million names in support of a better future for biking – one that’s safer, more convenient, and more appealing for everyone. And we’re giving people the tools to support pro-bike policies and spread the joy of bicycling in their own communities. Take the pledge!

At the Opening Plenary session, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s remarks seemed to lack the usual fire and brimstone that had whipped the crowd into a fervor in years past. This year — instead of bemoaning the “weasels” in power or gushing about the hope of a new administration — he spoke of political gridlock and pleaded, almost desparately, for the help of the 700-plus advocates in the room “I’ve been here all my life and have never seen anything like we’ve had over the course of the last year… We need your energy, your vision, your blueprint for how to make things better.”

We also heard (before the rest of the world) Google announce what all bike riders have been waiting for – Grab Your Bike and Go with Google Maps. We were first to hear that they are adding biking directions in the U.S. to Google Maps. “This new tool will open people’s eyes to the possibility and practicality of hopping on a bike and riding,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We know people want to ride more, and we know it’s good for people and communities when they do ride more – this makes it possible. It is a game-changer, especially for those short trips that are the most polluting,”  Visit http://maps.google.com/biking to try out this new feature. Biking directions for Google Maps is currently in Beta.

Throughout the day there were many fascinating break out sessions include “How to Promote Liveable Communities,” “How Bicycling Can Boost Public Transit,” “Best Practices in Youth Cycling Programs,” “Traffic Justice–Don’t be Driven to Distraction,” and the break out that breakout that I led with Jim Sayer of Adventure Cycling and Kristin Dahl of Travel Oregon, “Dollars, Partnerships and New Riders: How Tourism Can Play a Role”

On Thursday we met with our Mass constituents and headed up to “The Hill”where we got a booming welcome, a potent shot of inspiration, endless enthusiasm and passion for pedaling from our biggest bike fans in Washington, Congressman James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and Illinois Congressman Daniel Lipinski received awards from the League of American Bicyclists for their dedication to bicycling. They rallied the 700 National Bike Summit attendees who are set to take Capitol Hill by storm today.

In over 450 meetings with their representatives and senators today, the Summit delegates will build support for H.R. 4722 the Active Community Transportation Act of 2010, S. 584/H.R. 1443 – The Complete Streets Act, and S. 1156 The Safe Routes to School Program/H.R. 4021 – The Safe Routes to High Schools Act. 

Shaking his fist Congressman Oberstar boomed what we wanted to hear “The 21st century will be the century of the bicycle.  A record 700 showed up for this Summit. Congressman Jim Oberstar recalled jokingly, “We used to be able to do this in a phone booth!” There were less than 100 people at the first Summit; that’s about the same number of Trek dealer reps that showed up this year. That rise in Summit attendance mimics a rise in federal spending on biking and walking projects. In 2000, $296 million was spent. In 2009, that number had jumped to $1.1 billion.

At 9:00 hundreds of cyclists were off to meet with their fellow delegates. Our group of twelve from Massachusetts led David Watson of Mass Bicycle Coalition hit the ground running with back to back meetings with several aids of MA Congressmen and our State Senators Brown and Kerry. We were met with support and encouragement from all. My plea was to each was to approve additional funding and better support Safe Routes to School so these programs can begin to make a difference in our children’s lives.  Inspired by a Summit talk about youth cycling I had emailed Principal D’ Amico to ask her what she would like to do next with regards to the cycling pilot we launched in 2009; she emailed me back soon after to say she would like to install bike racks. This may seem small but it is a huge victory in a town that for many years has had a silent ban against children cycling to school.

The summit concluded with a cocktail party reception and another celebratory speech from Secretary Ray LaHood who, in order to be heard, jumped a top a table and began his speech to the packed room of cycle pinned enthusiasts

“You have a full partner in Ray LaHood.” (3.12.10) Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood joined the League at our National Bike Summit’s Congressional Reception. LaHood enthusiastically declared his commitment to livable communities. Watch the video!

If you would like some additional great pictures from the summit check out Bike Portland

I would love to hear from any of you who went to the bike summit. Your thoughts, ideas and visions for a better bike future for all. Thanks!  Bike On

10th National Bike Summit Rocked!

The  10th National Bike Summit ended last Thursday, March 11th, with a momentous Congressional Reception, inspiring bike advocates from around the country – and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood – to bring the American bicycle movement to the next level! The 2010 Bike Summit was a paramount event for countless reasons but there are 10 clear highlights.
Drum roll please…
10. Rewards for A Decade of Service  – The Summit really wouldn’t be what it is today without the ongoing support of three people we recognized for their decade of commitment to the event: Congressmen Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have spoken at all ten Summits, offering words of wisdom and inspiration; always challenging us to aim higher. Their staff provide invaluable logistical help and strategic guidance as we navigate the halls of power. The third award was to Bikes Belong, the title sponsor of all ten – a serious financial commitment which they exceed every year by also drumming up attendees. Thank You!
Just before the Summit kicked off, at the League’s annual meeting, we also recognized more than a decade of service by outgoing Chair of the League Board, Amanda Eichstaedt. She received the Paul Dudley White award for her contribution to bicycling over the years, including service on the League board and as Chair of the board for the past three years.
9. The League’s six asks for the Congressional Lobby Day (starting on page 14 of the agenda) were well received by our nation’s Senators and Congressmen.  H.R. 4722, the Active Community Transportation of Act of 2010, had nine additional bill co-sponsors as a result of our meetings on Capitol Hill.
8. Bike/Ped Eligibility for Transit Funds Increased – Speaking at the opening plenary of the Summit, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff confirmed that the eligibility of FTA funds for bicycling and walking projects has been extended. Following a Federal Register notice last year, FTA has agreed that bicycling projects that increase access and service to transit facilities are eligible for FTA funding provided they are within a three-mile radius of a transit station (one mile for walking). Eligibility doesn’t guarantee any more funding for bike/transit projects, but certainly removes a major hurdle that has prevented it in the past.
7. The Bikes Belong Coalition Political Action Committee (Bike PAC) – the bicycle industry’s bipartisan political action committee – had 10 members of Congress join the meeting!
6. Bikes Belong rolled out their new campaign People for Bikes – a brand-new initiative to put more people on bikes more often.
5. We had two members from Capitol Hill join us for the 10th Annual Congressional Bike Ride – Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) and Senator Merkley (D-OR)!
4. Representative Tom Petri (R-WI) pedaled a pedicab at the League’s National Bike Summit the afternoon of the Lobbying Day.
3. Google announced at the Opening Plenary Session at the National Bike Summit an addition to their suite of online directions -  Google Maps biking directions! “This new tool will open people’s eyes to the possibility and practicality of hopping on a bike and riding,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists.

2. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood energized and thanked the crowd at the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit on March 11, 2010 declaring, “You have a full partner in Ray LaHood.” Today, March 15, LaHood issued his new Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations. LaHood then made the most substantial statement the DOT has ever made about bicycling and announced, a ” sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.”

And finally, the number one reason the 10th Annual Bike Summit Rocked…
1. You! More than 725 bicycle advocates, educators, enthusiasts, and industry leaders attended the 10th Annual National Bike Summit and had more than 425 scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill! That is approximately 600 more Bike Summit attendees than we had 10 years ago!

To recap, the National Bike Summit was a great success, and the League is confident in the progress we will make in the year to come in conjunction with the Bike Summit! The League thanks all of our sponsors, advocates, supporters and industry leaders who turned out in record numbers to support the cause we all know will make America a healthier, better place to live – bicycling.

Going Full Circle on Ski Trails and in our Lives

After a full week of cross-country ski training with her Bill Koch Team at Bretton Woods, my daughter and I finally had a full day to take a ski together. Lorenzo and Luca were downhill skiing so there was no one else to worry about. Just Valentina and I out to enjoy six inches of fluffy powder on some of the prettiest trails in NE.