MassBikers,

The City of Boston is trying to gather information on where people bike. This is a chance for us give the city real input that will go towards real change. Below are a message from the City and instructions for tracking your bike routes to, from, and within Boston. They're particularly interested in finding families and recreational cyclists.

NOTE: Any information you submit for this survey is NOT secure. You may use a pseudonym and/or omit your email address if you wish, but make sure you use the same pseudonym for every route you enter.

"Dear Boston Area Cycling Friends,

"We are looking at the array of programs and services available for cyclists in Boston and we want your input. We are hoping to gather information on cycling patterns to use as a guide when updating and evaluating cycling routes, lanes, rack disbursements, etc. We hope you will help us gather information on cycling behavior in Boston by tracking your rides through Boston.

"We invite everyone who rides a bicycle within or to/from Boston to participate including commuters, racers, recreational riders, families, and even people who exercise once a year… All ages are welcome.

"Participation takes just a few minutes. We will ask you to go on-line and track an actual day of riding for us using a website we have created. We want you to record exactly where you biked on this given ride.

"If you have passed through Boston anytime on a ride today, please start today. Otherwise, please record the very next day that you pass through Boston on a ride. We want to see both weekend and weekday activity. And, feel free to record multiple days of riding. You do not have to contact us to participate. Just follow the directions below.

"Please forward this to other cyclists who ride in Boston. Feel free to contact Amy McGuire, 617-918-4343, Amy.Mcguire.bra@cityofBoston.gov with any questions.

"Thank you for your assistance. We sincerely appreciate your help in making Boston a great place for cyclists and pedestrians.

Sincerely,
Nicole Freedman
City of Boston
Hub On Wheels"

Instructions for Tracing Routes

It should just take you a minute or two to map your routes. Please note: if you rode twice in a day (for example morning commute to work; afternoon commute home) please map each leg as a separate ride.

1. Go to http://maps.google.com/.



2. Click Sign in located in the upper right corner.



3. Login with the following information:
   • Username: bikeboston
   • Password: bikesurvey
   If you are already signed in with a personal gmail account, please logout and re-sign in using the above information.



4. Click the My Maps tab located under "Google".



5. Click the Create New Map button located under the My Maps tab.



6. An input box will appear.
   • In the Title box, please write your full name, date of ride, and start time of the first one-way leg of your ride.
     • Example: John Doe, 8/14, 5:45 AM.
   • In the Description box, please write a current email address and the purpose of the ride, i.e. commute to job, errands, social, fun/exercise, work (messenger, courier).
     • Example: johndoe@AOL.com, commute to work.
     
     
     
7. You are now ready to trace your route.
   • To Zoom in, click "+".
   • To Start, single click the in the upper left corner of the map. Single click on the map location corresponding to your ride origin.
   • To Change directions, single click along the intersections.
   • To Finish double click on the map location corresponding to destination.
   • To Edit after saving, hover the "hand" symbol over the route. When the route appears click and click once where you want to make edits.
     
     
8. After double clicking, an input box will appear. Please enter the reason you chose this route (i.e. most direct, most scenic, fewest cars, safest…) and/or anything else you want to share with us.



9. Click the Save button.



10. If you rode twice in the day, please go to #5 above and repeat to trace the second or return ride.