Boston’s Bike director Nicole Freedman, issued a Request for Proposals for Boston’s biking future. Her priority is implementing a bike share program by 2010 and she’s on a hell bent course to tranform Beantown into an eco-friendly place to live, and commute.

Proposals for bike share programs are due in May, but it looks as though one team of students from Boston University has come up with a grand idea – BikeNow, a seemingly simplistic version of ZipCar.
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Bike Share programs are starting to catch fire around the globe, popping up in Washington D.C, Denver, China, Brazil and Taiwan. The wave of programs sweeping Europe recently has been an up and down ride. Many are successful while others are experiencing high levels of theft, abandonment and damage to their bikes. However the U.S is learning from their mistakes and may very well innovate the bike-share future. Read the rest of this entry →

I’d like to share some stories of people who have committed to live car-free for one year - and both the planet and cash saving consequences of their actions. The New Belgium Brewing Company hosts their annual Tour De Fat, meandering through eleven western cities, continually compelling people to join Team Wonderbike by giving up four wheels in trade for two.

What happens when they sign away their right to a car? They DON’T drive the average 15,000 miles like every other America. That’s 739 gallons of gasoline (at 20.3mpg). 739 gallons more for our children. It’s $2,217 (at $3.00 per gallon) NOT going to the Middle East to fund a number of things we probably wouldn’t agree with. That’s one more person not producing 14,336 pounds of CO2.

Watch these videos, get inspired and perhaps take the challenge. Tour De Fat 2008:

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I came across a New York Times op-ed piece by Robert Sullivan, a NYC lift-time biker and recent author. Illustrating the transforming relationship between bikers, drivers and pedestrians over the last two decades, it’s comedic and worthy read, and demonstrates how times are progressively changing for the eco-minded bike enthusiast.

“The nature of the hate has changed. Once, they hated us because we were a rarity, like a rat in the kitchen, a pest. Now, they hate us because we are ubiquitous.”

Hah, we are ubiquitous! But we are not invincible. No matter where we bike, cars are still bigger and faster. Sullivan’s “four sure-to-be-scoffed-at suggestions for better bike P.R.” points out that regardless of our growing numbers, we still have a civic responsibility while operating our vehicles.

To Summarize, here they are -

NO. 1: How about we stop at major intersections?
NO. 2: How about we ride with traffic as opposed to the wrong way on a one-way street?
There will be caveats. Perhaps your wife is about to go into labor and you take her to the hospital on your bike; then, yes, sure, go the wrong way in the one-way bike lane. We can handle caveats. We are bikers.
NO. 3: How about we stay off the sidewalks?
NO. 4: How about we signal? Again, I hear the laughter, but the bike gods gave us hands to ring bells and to signal turns.

I interviewed Boston’s new Bike Director, Nicole Freedman (Nicole.Freedman.bra@cityofboston.gov) about her intention to implement a bike-share program in Boston. All in all, it could work, with minimal tax dollars.

“Boston could see up to 1,500 bikes and 150 stations,” says Freedman.

Mayor Menino appointed Freedman with the goal of transitioning Boston into the next generation of eco-friendly urban transportation. Freedman’s bike-share program is slated to launch in the spring of 2010. It could potentially eliminate 315,000 car trips annually, reducing 750 tons of greenhouse gases officials estimated.

What are the details and what could this mean?

Where are the Bikes? – Officials are looking for a regional program that includes different neighborhood corridors and neighboring towns. Residents are hoping this will likely include boroughs like Brighton, Allston and JP.

What’s the Cost? — Freedman claims that “we’re waiting to hear back from our respondents, although we expect the first 30 minutes to be free for members.” What a bonus, but how much does it cost to be a member?

Who’s Pays for the Program? — “A turn-key system that self-finances” says Freedman. The city is looking for a cost-neutral program. Models that can do this include advertising based plans, subscribers fees and private capital investors.

So how would it work exactly once in place? Residents would buy memberships which would allow them to swipe a card and take out a bike at any rack around the city and then return it to any rack. Though the first 30 minutes would be free, extended trips would require usage charges. Bike supplies would be monitored by the company, who’s main responsibility would be to shuffle bikes so racks are full at all times.

I love the idea but what about stolen bikes? Bike-share programs seem to the wave of the future if we look at Europe, but many of those aren’t entirely successful. What will be different about Boston? I’ll keep you posted. Regardless, I’d be first to alleviate myself of the worry of owning/locking/storing my personal bike and most definitely sign up for the program!

Though this video depicts women drivers, and I am a woman driver with a good record, it’s still hilarious. A case and point that some drivers out there shouldn’t be driving… and what’s the best way to avoid them? Pick up you’re two wheeler and get in the bike lane.

“Unprecedented investment in America’s cities” praised Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston after meeting with President Obama and 85 other city mayors at the White House last Friday, February 20.

Massachusetts’s infrastructure is set to receive an approximated $1.13 billion from the state’s allocation of Obama’s economic stimulus package. From that, $319.7 million will go towards “Transit Formula Funding” designed for investments in mass transit.

The Boston Globe reported earlier in the week that city officials estimated the city could receive “at least $125 million from the federal stimulus package, including $69 million for schools, $30 million for housing, and $5 million for police. But officials said most of that money was directed toward infrastructure improvements.”

Menino’s original stimulus package wish list to Congress focused on more road improvements as well.

That would leave $21 million for urban infrastructure investment after schools, housing and police. Hopefully Beantown might receive a few more bike lanes…

A state-by-state break down of the estimated economic recovery plan is available on the White House’s website. Menino’s office is scheduling to release a local version for Boston residents to illustrate how and where the money will be spent.

Mayor Menino started cycling last year and has realized the health, economic and environmental benefits of two wheel transportation. His appointment of local resident and 2000 Olympic cyclist Nicole Freedman, as Boston’s new Bike Coordinator, supports his dedicated claim to “make Boston a world-class bicycling city.”

Time will only tell when and if he can put his money where his mouth is…

The electric car = a perfect example of the Jevons Paradox.

Let’s forget for a second that electric cars will still clog streets and threaten bikers. More importantly, they’re still bad for the environment. I don’t care if they save cash and reduce carbon in the short term by promoting an alternative energy option. Even if we switch our dependency to electric cars, the big picture isn’t becoming any more sustainable. Our overall energy consumption will keep on rising. We need to focus our efforts on mass transportation and eco-friendly transportation. Rails, buses and bike oh my!

This video provides the perfect explanation why electric cars are “efficiently unsustainable”…

Jevons Paradox from Peter Smith on Vimeo.

And oh yea, good luck when those old batteries start piling up.

Are You a Boston Biker? What’s your take on this?

“Vehicular Cycling” was once a term embraced by the city bicyclist. It was a practical approach to biking in cities – “drive” your bike as if it were a vehicle, claim your space, signal your turns, ride with traffic.

Those who have ever attempted to commute via bicycle in Boston, “claiming your space” can be a near death experience. Bicycling Magazine continuously rates Boston as one of the worst cities for cyclists. Pothole infested streets, merging traffic at every turn and limited bike lanes has caused Boston bikers to perpetually consider themselves second-class citizens. I commuted by bike for three years living in Boston and I fear the day of ever having to return without a car.

Luckily though, gone are the days when bicyclists have to form mobs in order to gain respect as city commuters. Studies prove bike lanes boost bicycle use, decrease car-bike collisions and reduce vehicle traffic and speeding. Anyone who’s ever biked on Boylston Street can vouch that bike lanes would immensely decrease numerous near misses between two wheelers and giant vehicles.

In the past, bikes were transportation for messengers, car haters, cash-poor students and eco-activists. Yet the transformation of more bicyclists trying to save cash or save the planet is catching fire.

Before 2008, only a few bike lanes existed in Metro Boston. However Mayor Thomas Menino announced his initiative in ‘08 to improve the infrastructure of Boston, promoting his program “to make Boston a world-class bicycling city.”

“If we put more people on bikes, we’ll have less congestion,” Menino said.

His announcement of Boston’s third and fourth bike lanes are part of the Comm Ave. rebuild project. As the major stretch connecting Boston University and downtown Boston, Comm Ave’s bike lanes are more than just a small improvement. The biker subculture of Boston has been waiting years for city officials to take action and times are finally a’changin.

Across the country, advocacy success stories are emerging. Groups are initiating change in city development to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists more and more. “Complete Streets,” advocacy in cities such as Portland, New York, San Francisco and Chicago are clearly demonstrating the rewards of infrastructural improvements. These city’s bike groups have pushed officials to enhance the urban environment for a friendlier system of bike travel.

MassBike, Boston’s non-profit advocacy organization recently helped pass the city’s new bicycle law which ensures safer signaling, fines for car owners who open doors into bike traffic, and motorists who are now liable for hitting bicyclists riding to the right, jus to name a few. With the shear size of Massbike and its overwhelming number of outdoor, eco-friendly enthusiast members, the organization is using its collective power to induce change.

Massbike still has a laundry list of grievances with city planners as their fight continues. When the city removed almost 160 parking meters on Newbury Street, replacing them with 23 boxy, computerized meters, cyclists were left without locking posts. Though it’s illegal to lock bikes on anything but bike racks in Boston, meters bent the rule. Complaints are everywhere about the lack of alternative parking sources. And though the city claims to have installed 350 bike racks across Boston, “across Boston” is not Newbury street, one of Boston’s busiest through-ways for bikes.

“They don’t involve transportation planners that think beyond the car,” said Andrew Fischer, a member of the MassBike advisory board.

The city’s Transportation Department continues to deal with bicyclist complaints and Massbike it not easing up. If the growing popularity of biking increases, it will become a battle of numbers and the city will be lacking in theirs.

Grassroots pays off! After 8 years and 4 legislative sessions, MassBike advocacy group in Beantown helps pass the new Bicycle Law.

Governor Patrick signed the Bicyclist Safety Bill into law on January 15, 2009. The new law is in effect immediately, including the following -
1. Safer Signalling
2. Riding Two Abreast Permitted
3. Don’t “Door” Bicycles
4. Don’t “Right-Hook” Bicycles
and more…

Check Out MassBike and full text of the new law.

Finally, Boston’s long awaited safety measures for bikers are becoming a reality thanks to the riders themselves. Massbike was an influential force throughout the history of the bill. They drafted its language and lobbied its passage to the successful 2006 veto and a successful 2009 law. Boston bikers are gaining equality, no longer will cars dominate commuter traffic. Four wheelers be ware!

What about you? Did you city/town’s advocacy group change the way bicyclists are respected on the road? Share you story, spread the effort for change…