bicycling

Fibro Witch reports on an incident late last night at the Storrow exit onto Charlesgate:

... Riding after 11:30 pm, no bike light, no helmet, short dress. I bet the dress looks nice on you when you tie up the back. Not so great an idea when they are flapping around your rear tire.

And those flip flops, wrong wrong wrong for riding a bicycle, no matter what time of year it is closed toe lace up shoes are a must!

So there I was, just turning off of Storrow Drive on to Charlesgate west, just beyond Back Street and just blocks from Kenmore Square. Storrow Drive being closed again for some unknown reason. You racing down Beacon Street toward Bay State Road as if the ghosts of student loans past where out for your skin. ...

Wicked Local Newton reports a woman turning into a driveway on Beacon Street yesterday was cited for failing to use care in turning because she plowed right into a bicyclist - who escaped serious injury.

Boston Biker reads them the red-light riot act.

She's looking for witnesses.

Via Boston Biker.

Mike Ball reports he was bruised and likely in shock, since he doesn't recall from the time he was hit to the time he started talking to a Stoughton cop who seemed really angry somebody would do something like that and flee.

Ride the BIKE-A-THON!

Join hundreds of riders for a meaningful and beautiful event on Sunday June 20th, 2010!

Every rider furthers BNB's mission with your fundraising and participation, while enjoying a beautiful ride and the other awesome folks riding!

check out some of the pictures from last year!

How to Register

Go to the registration page to register online.
http://crm.bikesnotbombs.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=190
Or call our Hub at 617-522-0222 (or on the weekends call our Shop at 617-522-0226).
Or stop by one of our two locations to register in-person.
The Rides

Choose from one of three routes:
15 Mile Ride
25 Mile Ride
65 Mile Ride
New 65 mile route for 2010!

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!

All 3 Bike-A-Thon rides on June 20th start and end in the big field in front of the Stony Brook T stop (Orange Line) at Boylston and Amory Streets, Jamaica Plain MA 02130.

Today's tale of bicycling angst - involving two guys who did NOT collide - comes to us courtesy of Salon.com:

... "F--- YOU!" he screams at me. Just like that. Then he pedals away.

"What?" I pedal after him. "Hey, man, wait a minute, hang on. It was an accident. I said I was sorry."

He stops, steps from his bike, and walks toward me. He's red-faced and fuming. "F--- YOU, asshole!" he yells. "Can't you ride a f----- bike? What are you f----- stupid, riding on the sidewalk?" His helmet has gone crooked and salvos of spittle are shooting from his mouth. He looks fiendishly, electrically angry. ...

Via Cambridge Day.

The MBTA reports Transit Police arrested two alleged bike thieves in two separate incidents last week - one involving a guy who took his time looking for the best bike to separate from its lock.

With the 22 bus just not coming, as he stood there at Columbus Ave. and Cedar Street, Jonas Prang counted bicycles - more than 100 in 22 minutes:

... I'm surprised that there is that much bicycle traffic. I'd noticed that the bicycle traffic in the SW Corridor was much greater than in previous years, but I never expected to count that many bicycles, even at rush hour.

UPDATE: Wicked Local Newton now reporting motorist not charged because she was turning into her own driveway and bicyclist tried to pass her on the right.

Wicked Local Newton reports the woman swerved into the bicyclist; bystanders lifted her car off the guy.

Rolling in Boston notes it was supposed to have launched in May.

Allston City Limits has more, although a Phoenix article suggests financial snags in the plan.

Paola Ferrer snaps a photo of cabbies idling in the new bike lane on Comm. Ave at Kenmore Square.

Boston Police report a woman bicycling west on Newbury just before Clarendon this afternoon was pushed into a parked car by a tour bus. Police say the bicyclist said that around 3:50 p.m.:

[S]he was riding her bicycle in the far right travel lane adjacent to vehicles parked along the right side of Newbury Street when a tour bus, traveling outbound in the same direction, changed lanes and, in doing so, came into contact with her and her bicycle. As a result of the contact, the handle bar on the bicycle broke the window of a parked car. The bicyclist, suffering from minor injuries, was transported to the Boston Medical Center for evaluation purposes.

The Globe reports.

Meet Biker Boy, the avenger of evil now advising T riders that, yes, they can always bring folding bikes on the T.

The MBTA also says that from now on, bike cages will be called Pedal & Park - the name suggested by three riders in a "name the cage" contest. No details yet on where the other cages will be. Alewife and Forest Hills already have them.

Sean Roche goes so far as to declare the lanes, unveiled yesterday, reveal Boston as the new Portland - especially the lanes on Comm. Ave. from Charlesgate to the Public Garden:

Wasn't wearing helmet in collision this afternoon at Commonwealth and Lowell avenues, Wicked Local Newton reports.

Bobby Main tweets he was on an inbound E trolley around 8:40 a.m.:

E line inbound stopped at brigham circle. T hit a bike. He's ok but a little banged up.

UPDATE: MBTA Transit Police report says bicyclist admitted blame for driving into the trolley, declined medical attention for scrapes and bruises.

The Daily Free Press reports on the bicycle summit at BU yesterday.

Charlotte marvels over the elegant bike she spotted locked to a pole in the South End.

Boston Biker reports a new city effort to keep bicyclists from dying that will feature BPD officers going after Masshole motorists and encouraging bicyclists to wear helmets:

Officers will more proactively seek out and fine for safety violations committed by those on a bicycle and those operating a motor vehicle. This effort will include the strict enforcement of Massachusetts laws dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian safety.

The city will hold a bicycle anti-death summit on Wednesday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m. at BU's Morse Auditorium to let bicyclists and "high-ranking" officials discuss ways to curb bicycle collisions. Also, the city will be setting up some sort of database to actually track bike/car collisions.

Boston Biker reports a planned bike race (tentative date: May 8) in which participants will have to check in at each of the 12 subway terminal stations - from Forest Hills and Oak Grove to Alewife and Wonderland.

Mike Juergens tweets from Allston.

UPDATE: Sara Underwood, who first reported the bicyclist had died, now says her source was wrong and that the guy is in the hospital.

Bicyclist hit by car at Beacon and Charles streets around 12:30 p.m. Boston Biker has some details and photos.