Rob Miceli here writing from the Cape and Islands Chapter of MassBike, where we enjoyed another expansive year in 2011. The highlight of the year was the creation of “Getting To and Through Cape Cod”, a guide to bicycle routes and public transportation. The map is the result of a collaboration between the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, local bikeways committees and MassBike. It shows bicycle routes throughout Cape Cod as well as individual maps of all 15 towns of Cape Cod. It was designed to show access to public transit and bicycle facilities and encourages use of either instead of using a car.

In March, MassBike held a bicycle social at Not Your Average Joes in Hyannis. Bicycle valet parking was available and a few guests showed up on 2 wheels despite poor weather. A wonderful social evening concluded with a raffle with prizes donated by MassBike and Harpoon Brewery.

The chapter is eagerly awaiting finalization of the new chapter charter and is anxious to begin plans for the upcoming season. We’re looking forward to a stronger partnership with MassBike and new resources, like a MassBike tent for rainy events!

The chapter remains very active in local road projects’ design phases. The chapter is setting the goal of having destination signage installed from Falmouth to the transportation center in Hyannis as one of its top priorities for 2012. We’re looking forward to another great year of biking!

With over 185 registered events and only 10 event cancellations, thousands of bicyclists around the state gathered together for rides, film festivals, free breakfasts, a ribbon cutting, the BCU  Bike Month Photo Competition, and countless other events.  MassBike wants to extend a big thanks to our main partner, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and all the local event organizers, without whom this bikestravaganza could not have happened.  Below are updates about some of the events.

Rodrigo Marion (front right) and others at Stoughton's event

From Stoughton, James Conlon (City of Stoughton) and Rodrigo Marion (Old Colony Planning Commission):

“In celebration of Mass Bike Week 2011, two group bicycle rides organized by the Stoughton Bicycle and Pedestrian Task force were held in Stoughton.  The first ride was an off road trail bike ride at the Bird Street Conservation land. This was a ride which featured a tour of historic sites on publically owned land under the care, custody and control of the Stoughton Conservation Commission.

“The points of interest visited and discussed were Gilbert Gate, Gilbert Quarries, the stone wall at the northern boundary of the 12 Divisions lots, the site of the Lemur Bird/Teddie Conner’s farm homestead, the Bird St. Meadows, the Messer’s Quarry and the stone house foundation.”

From Salem, Dan Shuman, owner of Salem Cycle:

“Comprehensive Racing and Salem Cycle’s kick-off event kicked off Bay State Bike Week in style with arm reflectors and T-shirts from MassBike/MassDOT and water bottles courtesy of Specialized and Salem Cycle. We had 18-1/2 in attendance, all made the picture [below right] with the exception of Dan Cooper who flatted, not once, but twice finishing an early ride and was rescued by his wife Steph who is also not in the picture. The event was well attended by bike enthusiasts but was light on community riders. Thanks Grandpa, Papa and little Maclay and Cathy for attending. I tried to convince some additional store shoppers to join us but we must have looked intimidating in all that spandex.

Salem bicyclists at Salem Cycle

“Thanks all for participating, thanks Salem Cycle for hosting the meeting, thanks MassBike, MassDOT and Specialized for the giveaways, and thanks Comprehensive Racers and Salem Community for attending.  Ride safe, ride smart, just ride (and love your bike)!”

From Hyannis, Lev Malakhoff (Cape Cod Planning Commission) and Rob Miceli (MassBike Cape Cod Chapter):

From left to right: Glenn Cannon, Cape Cod Commission; Tom Cahir, Cape Cod RTA; and Rob Miceli, MassBike Cape Cod Chapter

“The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) unveiled a new resource to benefit both transit riders and bikers: ‘Getting To and Through Cape Cod’ – a Transit-Oriented Bike Map.  The ceremony included guest-speakers (pictured from left to right) Glenn Cannon, Cape Cod Commission Technical Services Director, Tom Cahir, CCRTA Executive Director, and Rob Miceli, MassBike Cape Cod Chapter president.  Refreshments were served and free maps and BikeWeek shirts and ankle bands were distributed.”

From Meryl Mandell (MassDOT) and Brian Markey (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission):

“Attached are some of the photos from our Amherst Bay State Bike Week events.  The bulk are from the Breakfast – there are some great ones in there.  Hope you enjoy them.  We had about 200 people at our events!”

MassDOT's Meryl Mandell on a Pennyfarthing

From Rutland, Ed Yaglou (Wachusett Greenway):

Joe Reynolds Thanking the Breakfast Servers

“Here is a photo from Wachusett Greenways’ bike ride on the Wachusett Greenways’ section of the Mass Central Rail Trail, west of the Wachusett Reservoir: Sterling to Oakham, held Saturday, 21 May 11.  It shows shows cyclist Joe Reynolds thanking the breakfast servers.”

Not the MassBike Chapter Summit!

We had about 20 participants who took part in discussion and brainstorming about how MassBike can better create, support, and utilize our chapters. Participants ranged from current chapter members, to people interested in starting new chapters in their communities, to MassBike members looking to become more involved in the organization. We learned a lot about what chapters need and how MassBike can be stronger regionally. We’re already beginning to implement some of the ideas from the summit for better communication among the chapters and the MassBike staff.

Moving forward, you’ll hear more about what our chapters are doing locally. We’ll have updates on their campaigns and successes on our website and more info about their events on our calendar, so that you can see what MassBike has been doing regionally.

Our notes from the summit are available here (discussion notes) and here (flipchart/brainstorming notes). We welcome additional comments and thoughts.

Special thanks to our hosts in Worcester, Jonathan Church and the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC), who provided great space and hospitality for the Summit.

If you’d like to get more involved with a chapter, find out more at the Pioneer Valley Chapter page, the Cape Cod and Islands Chapter page, or the Boston Chapter page. Not a chapter in your area, but interested in finding out more about starting one? Email bikeinfo@massbike.org to get more info.