Frequently Asked Questions

Are bicycles allowed to use the roads? Bicyclists may use any road in Massachusetts, except Interstate-type highways where there are signs prohibiting bicycles. See Bicycling & the Law.

Are bicyclists required to follow the traffic laws? Yes. Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as motorists. Except in business districts or where prohibited by local ordinance, bicyclists may use sidewalks, in which case they must follow the rules for pedestrians. MassBike has created a training program for police officers concerning the rules applying to bicyclists. See Bicycling & the Law.

How can anyone possibly ride in Boston traffic? Boston can be a great city to ride in, both for recreation and for commuting. With regards to the latter, most distances to be covered within the city are reasonable, there are not too many hills, and the streets and bikepaths of the city often make traveling by bicycle faster than driving or even taking the T. For more information about riding in Boston, please consult see cycling skills.

Do bicyclists need to use lights at night? Yes. State law requires a white front headlight and a rear light or rear reflector. More information.

Can I take my bike on Boston's subways? Yes, with some restrictions. Bikes are now allowed on Blue, Orange and Red line trains before 7 AM, between 10 AM and 4 PM, and after 7 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends. Please consult the MBTA's complete policy regarding bicycles on the T for more detailed information.

Can I bike to and from Logan International Airport? Yes, but not directly. Why drive there and sit in traffic and spend your whole paycheck on long-term parking fees when you can ride? See To & From Logan Airport.

Where can I go off-road (mountain or dirt) riding? There are several reservations in Massachusetts that permit off-road bicycling. See the New England Mountain Bike Associations list of places to ride in Massachusetts.

Where can I rent a bike? Urban AdvenTours offers bike rental delivery or pickup in Boston and Cambridge, as well as tours. You can also try Boston Bike Tours & Rentals in downtown Boston, Back Bay Bicycles, and Landry's Bicycles in Boston, Natick, Norwood, and Westboro. Wheelworks Too in Belmont rents bikes in the summer, and The Bikeway Source, on the Bedford end of the Minuteman Bikeway, also rents bikes. Other bike shops rent bikes according to their Yellow Pages ads, and there are many bike rental operations on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.

Are there any bikepaths in Massachusetts? MassBike's Bike Paths section has very detailed and current information about the many bikepaths in the Boston area and rest of the commonwealth.

What are some good maps and guidebooks about bicycling in Massachusetts? Rubel Bikemaps has excellent bicycle maps of Massachusetts covering all regions of the state. Check out reviews of various guidebooks on our book page.

How do I report a pothole or other road defect? To report a pothole or other problem on a state roadway, contact the appropriate district of the Massachusetts Highway Department (list of districts). Note that not only portions of state numbered routes are state highways! If it is on a town road, contact the town's Department of Public Works (list of towns). If the response is unsatisfactory, talk to your city councilor or selectman or state representative.

What do I do if I have a collision with a motor vehicle? We provide some detailed suggestions in terms of the health of you and your bike and your pocketbook.

How do I report a bad driver? To file a complaint about a driver who drove so as to endanger you, whether through extreme carelessness or malevolence, send a letter describing the incident with the license plate number to: Registry of Motor Vehicles Office of Driver Control PO Box 199150 Boston, MA 02119-9150   or use the RMV's Driving Complaint Form.   If the complaint is regarding an MBTA bus driver, write to:   MBTA Director of Bus Operations Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Ten Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116-3974   Send the 4-digit bus number, the route number, where you were, direction of travel, description of bus driver, and so on. Ask for a written response and include your phone number.

Is the state required to accommodate bicycles in new road construction? The Massachusetts Bicycle/Pedestrian Access Law requires "all reasonable provisions for the accommodation of bicycle and pedestrian traffic in the planning, design, and construction, reconstruction or maintenance of any project" undertaken by the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD). MHD directives implementing the law are also online.