MassBike Update August 3, 2004

You Did It! MassBike Scores Major Legislative Victory

Thanks to your grassroots efforts, MassBike won a major legislative victory late last week. The Massachusetts State Senate overrode Governor Romney's veto of legislation to require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to update its Drivers Manual and driving test to include information about bicycles and bike safety. The State House of Representatives also overrode the veto last week.

As it stands now, Drivers Education does not adequately discuss how drivers should relate to bicyclists on the road. This is the time when a captive audience of citizens becomes educated about driving, and it is essential to include information about all roadway users. We at MassBike feel this is a tremendous step forward and we are extremely appreciative of all our members who wrote and called their Senators.

MassBike would like to thank Speaker Finneran and Senate President Travaglini for their help in bringing this vote to the floor; State Rep. Anne Paulsen of Belmont, who tirelessly championed the measure; Senators Jarrett Barrios of Cambridge and Tom McGee of Lynn, who fought successfully for the override in the Senate; and the New England Mountain Bike Association, whose members joined with our dedicated MassBike supporters to call their legislators and make this victory happen.

For more information, read our press release

Register (or Volunteer) Now! MassBike Bike Festival and Time Trial on Saturday, August 28

Don't miss the cycling event of the season! MassBike's Second Annual Bike Festival is around the corner. We'll be gathering on Saturday, August 28 at the Fenn School in Concord for a day of fun rides of all lengths and an afternoon time trial.

We also need volunteers for the event—who, incidentally, will get in free. This is a great way to get involved and help out! If you're interested in assisting with things like registration, ride sweeping, leading kids' activities, ride marshalling, timing the time trials, helping with materials pickup/setup, etc., please contact Karin at bikefest@massbike.org or call 617-542-2453.

Click here for more details and to register

MassBike Seeks Fundraising Director

MassBike--Massachusetts' statewide bicycling advocacy group--seeks a Director of Fundraising. We are looking for a responsible, driven, and well-spoken candidate to head up our efforts in all fund-generating activities, including event planning, grantwriting, direct mail, merchandise, advertising, and major donor gifts. Previous fundraising experience and familiarity with cycling community are a plus, but not required. Talented recent grads are encouraged to apply. Salary: $24,000/year, including 100% of health insurance. Start date: Mid-August. Please send resume and cover letter to bikexec@massbike.org.

MassBike Fall Internships Available

Do you care about the environment, transportation issues, and physical fitness? MassBike, Massachusetts' statewide bicycling advocacy organization, is seeking fall interns for a substantive, meaningful experience. Our internships are unpaid, but we are committed to ensuring that our interns take on critical projects and develop their professional skills. Internships are available in Graphic Design, Fundraising, Advocacy/Outreach, and Tech/Web. Please send a resume and cover letter to bikeinfo@massbike.org.

Share Your Thoughts with the MBTA

The next MBTA Riders Oversight Committee meeting will be held on August 16, from 11am to 1pm at the MBTA Board of Directors Room, 3rd floor, Ten Park Plaza, in Boston. During the meeting's public comment period, this will be an opportunity to share your thoughts about the MBTA's bike ban during the Democratic National Convention. You may also want to take the opportunity to urge the MBTA to place bike racks on the Silver Line and other buses (currently only the three Crosstown routes have them), or other Bikes-on-the-T issues which are important to you.

Join MassBike!

If you're not currently a MassBike member, please consider joining now. We are a fast-growing, active organization working to make bicycling better, safer, and more fun in Massachusetts, and we are getting results. With your grassroots mobilization, we were able to overturn a gubernatorial veto just last week to pass pro-bicycling legislation. With your contribution and membership, we will be able to accomplish even more in the coming year.

Already a member? MassBike memberships make terrific gifts for friends or relatives who care about cycling (and can use our 10% discount at bike shops and B&Bs across the state).

Click here to join