Universal Hub - bicycling

MIT scientist on bicycle struck, killed by truck at Beacon and Charlesgate; driver drove away

adamg — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:11:27 +0000

Updated with MIT info.

Kanako Miura, 36, a visiting scientist at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, died this afternoon when she was struck by a dump truck, MIT and Stanley Staco report.

Boston Police report the victim was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the 3:30 p.m. incident.

A mangled silver and black bicycle, believed to be hers, was found several blocks away on Bay State Road at Silber Way, Brian D'Amico reports.

Report: City should consider mandatory helmet law for bicyclists

adamg — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:01:24 +0000

Mayor Menino says he wants to reduce injury rates among bicyclists by 50% by 2020. This report examines current bicycling trends in Boston and offers some suggestions, including looking at mandatory helmet use for all bicyclists, greater enforcement of existing traffic laws among both motorists and bicyclists and continuing to expand bicycle-friendly facilities and lanes in the city.

The report identifies specific problem routes and neighborhoods; perhaps not surprisingly, these tend to be centered in densely packed areas of the city, in particular those heavily populated by students, such as Comm. Ave. and Allston/Brighton.

Police: Angry bicyclist takes swing at cop - with his bike

adamg — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:14:02 +0000

Brookline Police report that when an officer tried to stop a bicyclist riding the wrong way down School Street without a light after midnight yesterday, the bicyclist instead pedaled furiously away - only to fall off his bike at Harvard street. Then, when the officer caught up to him:

The cyclist picked up his bicycle and began to swing it in the direction of the officer. The subject was placed under arrest for Disorderly Person and Resisting Arrest.

Memorial Drive overpass by BU Bridge to be shut for six months, starting Sunday

adamg — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:50:32 +0000

The state Department of Transportation says it's shutting the overpass on the Cambridge side of the BU Bridge on Sunday for some major repairs:

All vehicles will be diverted to the surface roadways and through the BU Bridge/Brookline Street rotary, and back on to Memorial Drive.

City wants to install helmet vending machines for Hubway riders

adamg — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:18:21 +0000

With Hubway bikes ready for riding for the season, Boston is soliciting bids from companies that would want to install and maintain "bicycle helmet vending machines at various locations throughout the city."

Bids are due by April 10 for the initial one-year contract.

H/t Brian D'Amico.

Mobile snow drumming in Cambridge

adamg — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:14:01 +0000

Greg Hum shows off his two-wheeled drumming during the Friday snowstorm.

This bicyclist means business

adamg — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:24:22 +0000

Our own Dvdoff spotted one fed-up person's bicycle outside the Apple Store on Boylston Street today.

That thing have snow tires?

adamg — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:35:19 +0000

Kyle W. Kerr enjoyed watching all the bicyclists in the snow this morning as he waited for the bus on Brighton Avenue in Allston.

Further proof Quincy is home to the world's most stylish bicyclists

adamg — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:01:54 +0000

JuanJoseOle spotted this gentleman riding down Hancock Street in Quincy Center this morning, reports:

I guess he can't afford a winter hat or is hiding from someone. There was a cut out for his face with a Saran Wrap covering it.

Citizen complant of the day: The postman always double parks twice

adamg — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 13:59:42 +0000

For the past two years, a vexed citizen has complained to the city about the same three postal workers double parking in he bicycle lane outside the Talbot Avenue post office. Yesterday, the city marked one of the complaints "closed" and noted:

Officer spoke to post office workers about parking out front. they were warned. we will go by daily.

Now, this was the same car at the same location the city ticketed a year ago. Did the postal worker learn the lesson? Apparently not, since a new complaint was filed this morning:

Black pontiac 415 NJO double parked in bike lane. This is the second time in 2 days. I've reported this guy dozens of times over 2 years. The postal employees have been spoken to, but they don't care about btd or the residents of our fair city. Stop being nice and hand out some tickets!!!