I am planning on commuting to work in Cambridge and will be taking the commuter rail into North Station. I am considering using the blue bikes for the last mile, and was wondering if the two main racks at north station usually have bikes available or run out often. Train should get in around 8:30am.

In other words, the buried power reliability project has just finished, which also built 7.6 miles of the Mass Central Rail Trail - Wayside from Sudbury to Hudson! DCR will now simply pave our new State Park rail trail starting in the spring. The MBTA owns the former railroad land, and has leased to both Eversource and DCR in a cooperative agreement.

The original plan was for the power project to complete in December 2019, however "Protect Sudbury" (PS) was formed in 2016, and after fighting every step, including about a dozen lawsuits, the work was delayed for about 5 years. Construction was finally permitted to start in October 2022 and completed in November 2024.

This entire time, PS leadership constantly claimed to their own supporters that their battle was "neutral" on rail trails. 🤥🤥🤥🤥🤥

Two unanimous decisions against PS by the Federal Surface Transportation Board, docket FD 36493 and FD 36623 (along with two deeply linked MA Land Court lawsuits 22 MISC 000574 and 23 MISC 000030 that also failed) prove PS in fact attempted (but failed) to legally destroy the Mass Central Rail Trail, over and over:

Failed attempts by \"Protect Sudbury\" to legally destroy the Mass Central Rail Trail

The government of the Town of Sudbury is now deeply supportive of the rail trail despite prior opposition to the buried power reliability project (the Town of Sudbury refused to participate in these absurd PS lawsuits above, much to the anger of PS leadership). And the people of Sudbury in town meetings vote overwhelmingly in favor of rail trails, over and over. This is why PS had to lie 🤥 their lawsuits were not directly attempting to kill the Mass Central Rail Trail (while soliciting $665,145 from their supporters).

Meanwhile, even the Massachusetts legislature agrees that near-endless battles over clean energy projects is terrible policy (It almost seems like as a direct response to PS‽‽‽) As of 2024, clean energy projects must now consider trail partnerships just like this one, and must take 18 months maximum to permit, or are permitted by default. No future Massachusetts clean energy project will take 5+ years of permitting!

To celebrate, here is a preview of how far our State Park has come, all thanks to the power reliability project. Enjoy! 🚲🚵🏃♿

The Mass Central Rail Trail - Wayside in Sudbury in October 2024, built by a buried power reliability project

Im as surprised as anyone to see two pro bike lane pieces from the globe in the last 3 days: https://web.archive.org/web/20241211033540/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/10/magazine/boston-university-bridge-bicycle-safety/

Might this mark a shift in their editorial position on bike infrastructure? The terrible media coverage, including from the Globe (especially Jeff Jacoby), is no small part of why these safety improvements have not come fast enough.

I passed by at 7:00am. Fire and police had Columbus blocked, cyclist was in the middle of the intersection being attended to by medics. They were wearing a hi-vis jacket and seemed to be moving their limbs and talking, so that's good. It wasn't clear what the accident was - might've been a right hook? I didn't linger, just wondering if anyone else saw it or knows what might've happened.

FWIW, that stretch of Columbus is part of my commute and it's the worst by far - an absolute deathtrap with a narrow bike gutter that's full of pits and potholes, bracketed by door zone parked cars on the right and zooming cars on the left. It's most treacherous in the mornings when I also have to dodge school buses. I hope at some point they move the lane inside the parking spaces, like it is on Columbus between Mass Ave and Ruggles.

I was.hoping to attend the meeting last night but had a conflict. Anyone have any updates?

https://www.mass.gov/event/memorial-drive-improvements-phase-iii-90-design-public-information-meeting-12122024-12-12-2024

Curious if anyone here was able to attend: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/hyde-park-avenue-multimodal-corridor-open-house-1?utm_source=Transportation+&utm_campaign=HPA+October+Updates&utm_medium=email

Wondering what the discussion of bike infrastructure on this corridor is like. Ive biked on it since I was a kid and have had so many close calls from wildly speeding cars. Would love to see some bike infrastructure on it.

When I biked across the BU Bridge this morning, the north bound bike lane and the right lane for general traffic were blocked by construction (a big ol loader parked sideways). There was a row of cones directing you to merge left into leftmost lane. Judging by the line of bikers before and after me awkwardly navigating around the obstacle, this caught many people by surprise.

I don't recall seeing any indication of this before I got on the bridge, though I can't prove that there isn't one. The first "detour" sign I saw (or noticed) was already in the construction zone at the north end of the bridge.

Anyway, in case anybody is passing through that area unawares, please watch out and plan accordingly. I reckon you can probably use the sidewalk on the west side of the bridge to go north.

Edit: The blockage seems to have cleared up when I passed by around 5pm. However, some of the sidewalk on that corner looks freshly cast, while other parts are still dug up. So I would expect more work to be done there in the coming days, and more changes to the traffic pattern.

I’ve noticed way more people running and walking in the bike lane— even when the sidewalk is HUGE and there’s no one out…

I run too, so I get that people walking in large groups/ passing can be annoying, but why not just pass (even in the bike lane if you have to) then get back on the sidewalk? Why are so many people running / walking in the bike lanes now? I’ve noticed it WAY more than usual recently.

Today, I came up behind a lady running/ walking in the bike lane and said “Hey, I run too, but the sidewalk is much safer,” to which she screamed “f u” at me. Is there something I’m missing? Is this something runners are doing for safety? Or is this just people being stupid?

Edit: context I had to merge into traffic to get around her/ she wasn’t actively running anymore

I was witness to an old man on the SWC in silver reflective gear cutting the whole line at New Health, only to put his foot down in the middle of the ramp. I said “please don’t pass me at the crosswalk.”

Of course I passed him on the next straight away and he tells me “I’m too up tight”. Bro I would’ve given you a pass if you went ahead and crossed, but you just waltzed to the front and dabbed like a chump.

Then you have the gal to say “it’s not about you” to me? Forgive me suggesting you use some basic etiquette, a simple show of respect to your fellow bike commuters.

If only I had such a laidback attitude maybe I too could shoal the masses without feeling guilty.

P.s. pushing the walk sign at Rox X does nothing but put you in the way of oncoming traffic trying to cross. Do better.

If so, what numbers did you use? Simple mileage rate? chain wear and bike maintenance? Did you try to calculate health benefits? What did you come up with?

Title says it all 😂😂😂

So, who’s braving the high winds this evening and stormy conditions?

My commute goes over Harvard Bridge, so hopefully I don’t get taken to the Land of Oz.

The Somerville Illuminations Bicycle Tour will ride again this Saturday, December 14, meeting at Somerville High School at 5:45 pm and rolling out at 6 pm. This family-friendly ride will visit some of our city's lighted homes. More information at

https://somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminationstour

and

https://www.facebook.com/events/501496572905993

In the event of rain, snow, or icy conditions, we'll postpone to Sunday 12/15.

I will be working in Wellesley about a 30 min walk or a 5 minute bike ride from either the Riverside or Woodland T stops on the green line. I was thinking about leaving a bike in or near that station as you cant bring bikes on the green line. I know theres some parking garages and other things around those stops, but i dont want my bike to get destroyed or stolen or the weather taking its toll. Any advice on places to put my bike overnight or other advice on how to get from this stop to Wellesley. Note: i know about the commuter rail but id prefer to avoid Note 2: i know those stations have “covered bike racks” but its barely covered and more or less essentially outside.

Thanks!

Are there any part-time bike delivery jobs around here? I'm coming from Philly where there's still a small bike courier scene and wondering if there's anything similar here.

Anyone have recommendations for places to get a bike fit?