On Sunday, April 28th, MassBike co-hosted a Bike Month Kick-Off event with Cambridge Bike Safety, Somerville Bike Safety, and the Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee. It was a packed and upbeat event to set the tone for another May filled with bike joy. We highlighted all levels of better bicycling advocates, from the grassroots community organizations to elected officials at the municipal, state, and federal levels. 

Aeronaut Brewing Co. provided an excellent venue for the event. Thirty-three bike-friendly organizations joined to engage with attendees on their mission and connect on their work. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to host a table and connect with event participants. Your enthusiasm for bicycling set the tone for the afternoon.

The MassBike team hosted a table that included a much sought-after button maker. “I was amazed to see how many attendees from all ages were interested in having a personalized hand-made button that they promptly wore as an expression of what riding a bicycle means for them,” said Alex Salcedo, MassBike’s Worcester Program Manager. “It was uplifting to witness so many people riding bikes and couldn’t help but think that other towns, including Worcester, are rapidly following the steps of cities like Cambridge and Somerville.”

After networking, the attendees made their way into the front room where they were able to tune into the live performances from Lunatic Neighbor and Hillbilly Holiday. State Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator, Pete Sutton, played bass in Hillbilly Holiday and got us into gear for Bike Month with some sweet tunes.

Ahead of our Bikes and Business panel discussion, we were joined by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and State Senator Will Brownsberger. Congresswoman Pressley’s remarks reminded all of us of the powerful impact that the bicycle has had throughout the years in women’s lives as a tool to favor freedom and challenge oppression. 

Somerville City Councillor Willie Burnley Jr., moderated a lively and informative panel discussion between Court Verhaalen (CEO of Diesel Group), Jennifer Rowe (Transportation Planner, City of Boston), Chris Cassa (Cambridge Bicycle Safety), and Pooja Paode (Associate Director, Cambridge Local First).

MassBike awarded a lifetime achievement award to Cara Seiderman, for making Cambridge a great place to bike. As the Transportation Program Manager for the City of Cambridge, Cara has helped move forward protected bike infrastructure projects across the city.

Thank you to our co-hosts Cambridge Bike Safety, Somerville Bike Safety, and the Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee for collaborating on such an impactful event. To Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and State Senator Will Brownsberger, who provided moving remarks, to Somerville City Councillor Willie Burnley Jr., and our panelists for engaging in a thoughtful discussion around bikes and businesses. Our coalition is strong because of such great advocates and collaborators.

Bike-friendly events are happening across the Commonwealth this May during Bay State Bike Month. Learn more at www.massbike.org/bike-month.