Traffic Alert: BU Bridge Partially Closed for Repairs

The BU Bridge is one of the most heavily traveled routes between Boston and Cambridge, affecting thousands of cyclists and pedestrians daily. Last Friday, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced an unexpected closure of the downstream sidewalk and the adjacent Cambridge-bound travel lane in order to perform urgent structural repairs. The travel lane is expected to reopen in three weeks, but the sidewalk will remain closed for the duration of full bridge rehabilitation expected to begin later this year. The upstream sidewalk is already closed for repairs and is expected to reopen later this month.

What this means for bicyclists: Bicyclists, along with motor vehicles, may continue to use the remaining travel lanes. In addition, bicyclists may use the closed Boston-to-Cambridge travel lane. Because the closed travel lane will serve as a temporary sidewalk during the repairs, MassBike recommends that bicyclists exercise caution to avoid pedestrians and oncoming bicycle traffic. Extreme caution should be taken by bicyclists re-entering the traffic flow from the closed lane.

What this means for pedestrians: As neither sidewalk is currently open, pedestrians must use the closed travel lane to cross the bridge in either direction. Pedestrians should be aware of bicyclists traveling in both directions in the closed lane.

Ride of Silence: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Join cyclists around the world on this ride to raise awareness about bicyclist safety and to remember cyclists who have been killed or injured. All rides begin at 7pm.

Boston/Cambridge Somerville: Meet at Seven Hills Park behind Davis Sq MBTA Station in Somerville at 6:45pm. We will ride approximately 6 miles in traffic to the Boston Common. Following the ride, we will lead people back to Davis Sq if needed. Helmets required, lights strongly recommended. Rain cancels. MassBike's executive director David Watson is leading. Please RSVP to shane@massbike.org so we know how many riders to expect.

Martha's Vineyard: A six mile ride led by Matthew Safranek. Go to http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-domestic.php?s=MA#MA for more information.

West Boylston: Meet at triangle at Rte 140 north and Route 12 north near Old Stone Church on Wachusett Reservoir. Ride is 12 miles. Leader is Kim McCoy. Go to http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-domestic.php?s=MA#MA for more information.

For more information about the Ride of Silence, go to http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php.

Bike Week is Over, but National Bike Month Continues!

Thousands statewide participated in Bike Week last week, chowing down at bike breakfasts, attending all the fun events, or just getting on their bikes and riding. But it's still National Bike Month, so keep pedaling to these events:

Thursday, May 21, 2009, 6pm, Cambridge: Cambridge Bicycle Shop Commuter Open House and Block Party

Monday, May 25, 2009, 9am, Ayer: Tour de Ayer

Friday, May 29, 2009, 7am, Boston: Bike Friday

Saturday, May 30, 2009, 10:30am, Cambridge: MassBike Spins Ride Around Cambridge

Sunday, May 31, 2009, 12:30pm, Brookline: Brookline Bikes Beacon Street

Sunday, May 31, 2009, 1:30pm, Somerville: Historic Bike Ride

Check the MassBike Calendar for the latest information: www.massbike.org

Spring Back Into Biking With MassBike's Bicycling Safety Classes!

Has it been a while since you have been on a bike? Want to learn more about the proper way to ride in traffic? Want to feel more confident on your bicycle?

Check out our schedule of classes and sign up for one in your area.

Intro to Bicycling Skills (2 hour, free classroom session)

Intro to Bicycling Skills evening classroom sessions (off-bike) cover bike-safety principles, bicycling laws, guidelines for riding in traffic, and more. You must take one of these classes before you can attend one of the on-bike classes below.

Cost: Free for MassBike members; $15 donation (suggested) for non-members (click here to donate)

To sign up for any Intro classes, please email Shane Jordan (shane@massbike.org), our Director of Education and Outreach.

Basic Bicycling Skills (4 hour, on-bike session) - Prerequisite: Intro to Bicycling Skills

The Basic Bicycling Skills class is designed for adults who want to get back into bicycling, improve cycling skills, learn to ride more effectively and safely in traffic, and/or prepare for participation in large-scale benefit rides. This half-day weekend session provides guided instruction with simple practice drills in a parking lot, easy-paced riding on local roadways for short distances, and group-discussion breaks along the way. Topics covered include bike and helmet fitting, starting and stopping your bike in traffic, shifting gears, scanning and yielding, choosing the correct lane position in the road, handling intersections, and more.

PREREQUISITE: Intro to Bicycling Skills

A bicycle in good working order and a helmet are required.

Cost: $50 for MassBike members; $65 for non-members

Click here to register for a Basic Bicycling Skills class

Traffic Skills 101 (8 hour, on-bike class) - Prerequisite: Intro to Bicycling Skills

Designed for adults who are intermediate or advanced cyclists. Recommended for adults and children above age fourteen. Formerly known as Road 1.

PREREQUISITE: Intro to Bicycling Skills

A bicycle in good working order and a helmet are required.

Cost: $75 for MassBike members, $90 for non-members

Check out our schedule of classes, and sign up for one in your area.

Upcoming Public Meetings: Speak Up for Cycling in Your Community!

Radio 92.9 Earthfest: Saturday, May 30, 2009

The 16th Annual Radio 92.9 EarthFest is a celebration for the Earth featuring great music, family-friendly activities and showcase a host of environmentally friendly products and non-profit organizations. This FREE event features music from Soul Asylum, The Lemonheads, Shawn Mullins, and Seven Mary Three.

Ride your bike to Earthfest: MassBike is once again providing FREE valet bike parking at the event, sponsored by International Bicycle Centers.

For more info, go to http://www.myradio929.com/earthfest2009.aspx.

Bikes Not Bombs Bike-a-Thon: June 7, 2009

YOU can join hundreds of riders for a meaningful and beautiful event on SUNDAY, JUNE 7th, 2009 (raindate June 14th)! Every rider furthers BNB's mission with your fundraising and participation, while enjoying a beautiful ride and the other awesome folks riding! Choose from 15, 25, and 62 mile rides. Great options for everyone: families and children, new cyclists, daily commuters, fitness and distance trainers. These rides are fully supported with food, mechanics, maps, road markings, following vehicles, and more. Your ride will end at the Green Roots Festival where you'll get fed and celebrated! Pre-registration is required.

For more info or to register, go to http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/bat09.

Cycle for Shelter: July 26, 2009

The 21st annual Cycle for Shelter will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA. The ride benefits Emmaus Inc., a non-profit that has been providing shelter, services and affordable housing to homeless men, women and children since 1985. Century, Metric Century, Half Century and Weekend Warrior (20 mile) scenic routes. The day is planned by cyclists for cyclists and is fully supported.

• Registration: $60 until pre-registration closes on 7/20/09.
• Modest minimum fundraising.

"I Bike" T-Shirts and Caps Now Available in the MassBike Store!

MassBike Volunteer Calendar: A new way to get involved!

MassBike needs your help! We're always in need of volunteer support and you'll be helping a good cause, meeting other cyclists, and generally having a good time. To make it a little easier for our volunteers we've created a new volunteer calendar! Check it out on our website here. Come have a good time and help out a good cause. Thanks!

RSS Feed Update

If you know what an RSS feed is, you will be happy to know you can now subscribe to our email list with your feed reader, click here for the feed address or subscribe from our home page. If you don't know what an RSS feed is you can learn more about them here.

Check the MassBike Calendar Often!

To stay up to date on all our bike related events be sure to check out the interactive calendar on our homepage, www.MassBike.org. It often has fun events, rides, and public meetings listed well before they appear in our emails.