MassBike Update (18 June 2004) [Other Updates]
Greetings MassBikers,

National Bike Week is right around the corner, and MassBike has been busy creating change for bicyclists in the Commonwealth. Here's the latest in the MassBike bicycle advocacy world...

- Dorie Clark
Executive Director

In this update:

Have Your Employer Host a MassBike Commuter Training!

With the Democratic Convention causing traffic jams and confusion, it's the perfect time to ride a bike to work. MassBike hosts reasonably-priced lunchtime commuter training workshops at companies, and would like yours to be one of them! Our hour-long workshops include discussion of topics such as bike safety, bikes and gear, locking your bike, traveling in inclement weather, and neatening up after a ride. Please have your HR department contact MassBike at 617-542-2453 or bikeinfo@massbike.org to schedule one today!

Legislative Success: RMV legislation and Transportation Bond Bill

MassBike recently won two important legislative victories!

First, the Massachusetts House and Senate passed legislation (awaiting the Governor's signature) requiring the Registry of Motor Vehicles to update the state's Driver's Manual to include more safety information about bicycling, such as including a question on the written test. Drivers' education has been one of the major concerns voiced by MassBike members as part of our strategic planning process, and thanks in particular to Rep. Anne Paulsen, Rep. Tim Toomey, Sen. Thomas McGee, and Sen. Jarrett Barrios for advancing this!

Another terrific beginning is that the House version of the Transportation Bond Bill also included important bike-related appropriations. Language in the Bond Bill includes: $5 million for towns to start Safe Routes to School Program; missing links for North Point Park paths; and reduced liability provisions that will make it easier for cities and towns to build Rail-Trails along former MBTA rights-of-way. We'll keep you posted!<

Website and Computer Help Needed

We're looking for a talented team of volunteers to help upgrade MassBike's website! If you're a savvy techie, know Javascript, and want to help, here's your chance to reach more than 30,000 people a month and spread the word about biking. We have an ambitious goal of 1 million visitors in 2005--help us reach it! We are also desperately in need of computer help. Things like data migration, networking, and setting up new programs sometimes flummox us, and if you're a computer person who can help us anytime--especially soon!--we would love to hear from you. Please email us at bikeinfo@massbike.org or call 617-542-2453 to help out.

Meet our Summer Associates!

We're working hard to grow MassBike, and the excitement is spreading to our talented team of summer associates and interns, working for little or no pay to help improve cycling in Massachusetts. We'd like to thank Kumar Garg and Meredith Esser, 2003 Dartmouth graduates; Ben Halpern-Meekin, a junior at George Washington University; Alison Kennedy, an MBA student at Bentley College; and Nick Bellistri, a senior at UMass-Boston. We couldn't do it without you!

Office Wish List: Phones, laser printer, monitor, digital camera

With all the new faces, our infrastructure needs are growing, as well.

The office needs: a laser printer, multi-line phones, a computer monitor, and a digital camera (with the software that came with it to upload photos).

Please note that as policy wonks and cyclists--rather than tech experts--we ask that your donations please be in good working order. Email bikeinfo@massbike.org to talk about donating your stuff. Thanks!

WRKO PSAs

As you read in last month's email update, we have been working with WRKO radio (AM 680) to produce a series of bicycle safety public service announcements. WRKO is airing the 12 PSAs throughout the day, and they are available online at www.massbike.org/psa. We especially appreciate the help of Program Director Mike Elder in working together on this project.

New Member Benefits, including Bed and Breakfast Discounts

assBike membership gets you legislative and policy benefits as a cyclist in Massachusetts, but it's also fun to get member rewards! We have added several new bike and athletic shops to our list of partners, including Pedal Power in Acton; Buchika's in Haverhill, MA and Salem, NH; and Athlete' s Corner in Andover. Show your MassBike card and you can receive a 10% discount!

We have also expanded into the world of Bed and Breakfasts. If you're vacationing this summer, check out MassBike's partners: the Pepper House Inn and Ocean Gold B&B in Brewster; the Carriage House Inn in Chatham; the Sugar Maple Trailside Inn in Florence; and the Belfry Inn and Captain Chipman Inn, located in Sandwich. In general, they are giving MassBike members a 10% discount (call businesses for details). Look online at www.massbike.org, as our list of partners continues to grow.

Save the Date and Register Online: Second Annual Bike Festival!

It's that time again--our Second Annual Bike Festival is coming up! Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 28. We'll be gathering at the Fenn School in Concord for a fun day of rides, for all ages and ability levels. There will be a Lexington/Concord historical ride, an ice cream ride, a challenging ride, a ride to an outdoor sculpture garden, a time trial, and more! There's also a free BBQ lunch provided by Redbones and food donated by Verrill Farms. WRKO is our official media sponsor. Register early to save money: it's $25 for individuals and $40 for families in advance! Pre-registration for the time trial costs only $10.

You can sign up online by visiting http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1150450&affiliate=0

Join the Redbones Tour and Benefit Breakfast to Benefit the Tyler Hamilton Foundation!

Redbones, the Davis Square BBQ restaurant, has done a tremendous amount to help cycling over the years, including donating $2500 raised from their Bike Week event this year to MassBike. The Tyler Hamilton Foundation works to encourage cycling and help those with multiple sclerosis. Join together on Friday, July 16 (Stage 12 of the Tour de France) and Friday, July 23 (Stage 18 of the Tour de France) to ride, have breakfast at Redbones, and watch the Tour de France with other cycling enthusiasts.

On both dates, the ride--a challenging 40+ mile tour of northern and western towns--starts at 7:00AM sharp at Redbones (55 Chester St., Somerville) and returns approximately 2 hours later. The cost is $10, and $5 goes directly to the Tyler Hamilton Foundation.

It is necessary to pre-register for breakfast. For more information and to sign up, call 617.628.2200 or visit http://www.redbones.com.

Redbones is also providing free Bicycle Valet Parking during the DNC, July 26 - July 29, starting at 8 AM!

Not a Current Member? Help Us Make Bicycling Happen!

We can do bigger and better things with your support.
If you're not a member, join us and help make Massachusetts a better place to bike! You can join at: http://www.active.com/donations/welcome_org_public.cfm?key=massbike.