MassBike Quick Release 6/19/07

MassBike at the State House

MassBike Testifies at Hearing on Bicyclist Safety Bill S.1414

Senate Bill 1414, a.k.a. the Bicyclist Safety Bill, had its initial reading before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security last Wednesday, where it was very well-received.

MassBike would like to thank the four current and former legislators who testified in person in support of the bill: former Rep. Anne Paulsen, Rep. William Brownsberger, Rep. Denise Provost, and Rep. Kay Khan. We’d also like to thank Sen. Pam Resor (who filed the bill) and others who submitted written testimony.

Additional kudos go to the following citizens who took time out from their schedules to testify: MassBike’s very own David Watson, Mark Vautour of Landry’s Bicycles, Mike Gintz, Douglas Riker, and Rob Fine. David Wilcox of Broadway Bicycle School also came to show his support, but was unable to testify before having to get to work.

Much of the testimony and questions from the Committee focused on the importance of education for motorists, bicyclists, and law enforcement. In all, we anticipate the Committee will give the bill a positive recommendation; keep in mind we did pass it last year!

For the complete text of Senate Bill 1414, click here:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st01/st01414.htm

Legislative Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Rail Trail Caucus Meets

The Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Rail Trail Caucus, chaired by Sen. Pam Resor and Rep. Mike Festa, met last week as well. The Caucus heard updates on the MA Bicycle Transportation Plan (expected to be completed later this year), the Bicyclist Safety Bill (see above), and the 2007 National Bike Summit. MassBike’s David Watson also floated the idea of a statewide bike summit, in which Sen. Resor expressed interest.

NEMBA/MassBike Night @ Improv Asylum: June 28

Join MassBike and NEMBA for an evening of laughter at Boston's Improv Asylum in the North End. Half of your ticket price will go to MassBike and NEMBA, and you'll have a great time! This is a fun opportunity to have a well-deserved laugh, meet fellow MassBike and NEMBA members, and raise money for the organizations that are instrumental in keeping the roadways accessible and the trails available for the two-wheeled set.

The Improv Asylum is located in the heart of Boston’s North End, at 216 Hanover Street. The show is an interactive mix of improv and sketch comedy. Voted Boston’s Best Comedy Club eight of the nine years that it’s been in existence, the Improv Asylum is often described as a mix between Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Saturday Night Live.

There will be a complimentary pasta buffet at 7pm provided by Lucca Restaurant. The bar opens at 7pm and the show starts promptly at 8pm. Call the box office directly at 617-263-NUTS (6887) to purchase your tickets. Tickets are $20 with a $1.50 handling fee. Seating is limited, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance as there is no guarantee tickets will be available the night of the show.

Be sure to say that you are purchasing tickets in support of the NEMBA/MassBike event so that 50% of your purchase will go to those organizations. Use the code word "Bicycle"!

Click here for details:
http://www.nemba.org/nembaevents/EventAnnouncements.html#improv

Upcoming Public Meetings

Border to Boston Trail Coalition Meeting: June 20

The next meeting of the Border to Boston Trail Coalition will be held from 7:00-8:30pm on Wednesday, June 20 at the Newbury Town Library located at 0 Lunt Street in Byfield. From I-95 take exit 55. Travel west on Central Street and take second left onto Lunt Street. The Library is the last building on the left.

The following agenda items will be discussed: 1) Design guidelines consensus statement; 2) Pre-agreement trail stewardship ; 3) B2B fall event update ; 4) B2B task force update.

For more information about the Border to Boston Trail, go to http://www.essexheritage.org/bordertoboston/index.php

Back River Connections Multi-Use Pathway Public Meeting: June 21

The Department of Conservation and Recreation will hold a public meeting to present preliminary plans and to obtain public comments on a proposal to connect Abigail Adams Park and Great Esker Park in Weymouth, and Stodder’s Neck Park and Bare Cove Park in Hingham.

DATE: Thursday, June 21, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
LOCATION: McCulloch School, Green Street, Weymouth (enter via Miles Keene Lane)

For directions to the meeting, go to http://www.weymouth.ma.us/about/index.asp?id=1084.

Please notify Rick Corsi at DCR if you plan to attend, 617-626-1431, richard.corsi@state.ma.us.

Grand Re-Opening of Cape Cod Rail Trail: June 21

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs & the Department of Conservation and Recreation invite you to attend the Cape Cod Rail Trail Grand Re-opening Celebration!

Commemorating the completion of Phase 2 Reconstruction from Brewster to South Wellfleet and the Salt Marsh Restoration at Namskaket Creek

Thursday, June 21, 12:00 noon
at the Nickerson State Park entrance to the Rail Trail

Local attendees are encouraged to bicycle to the ceremony. Following the speaking program, there will be a series of biking tours of the rail trail offered to highlight some of the improvements along the trail. Weather permitting, members of the Eastham and Orleans Bikeway Committees will lead groups on a 3-mile round trip to the Namskaket Creek salt marsh restoration; 13-miles round trip to the Eastham Bike Tunnel and 22-miles round trip to the South Wellfleet Trailhead. Riders should bring their own bikes, helmets, biking gear (including a spare tire tube), and lunch. Rentals are available nearby.

The event will be rain or shine and guests are urged to prepare for the weather of the day.

DIRECTIONS TO THE EVENT: The entrance to Roland C. Nickerson State Park is located on Route 6A / Main Street in Brewster, MA. From the Sagamore Bridge, take Route 6 East to Exit 12/Orleans. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Rte. 6A toward Brewster. Drive about 2 miles and turn left into the park entrance. Turn right into the first parking lot, across from the park Contact Station. The entrance to the Cape Cod Rail Trail is on the right at the end of the parking lot. Park Office phone number: 508-896-3491.

Catch MassBike at: Brookline Climate Action Day, June 23

Today’s climate, tomorrow’s challenge.

Saturday, June 23 from 1:00 - 5:00pm on the Brookline Town Hall Plaza (rain location: Brookline High), join MassBike and 40 other exhibitors and speakers, including Congressman Barney Frank and Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist Ross Gelbspan (The Heat Is On, Boiling Point) , to raise awareness of the serious impact of global climate change, to learn about concrete actions you can take to minimize your carbon footprint, and to learn how you can effect change at the local, state, and national levels.

Also includes food, live music, alternative energy vehicles, storytelling and activities for children, a water dragon parade, and an organized bike ride.

Sponsored by Climate Change Action Brookline in collaboration with the Town of Brookline.

See the flyer here:
http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/conservation/Pdfs/BCADflyer062307.pdf

Great Mass Getaway MS Bike Tour: June 23-24

The 23rd Annual Great Mass Getaway is presented by the National MS Society, a MassBike Major Ride Sponsor. Over 1,500 cyclists follow coastal routes of 75 or 100 miles from Quincy to the overnight stop at Mass Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay. After a fun party with Wachusett Brewing, riders rise early on Sunday for a dramatic ride over the Bourne Bridge. Sunday's 75-mile route explores the beauty of Cape Cod and ends in Provincetown, where fun, food, and three shower trucks await you.

As the largest MS Bike Tour in New England, the Great Mass Getaway is the best supported ride in the region with SAG support, police details, and luggage and bike transportation. "Join the Movement" to help raise a record $2 million to bring an end to multiple sclerosis!

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24, 2007
Beginning and ending: Squantum Point Park on Boston Harbor, Quincy, MA to Provincetown, MA
Transportation back to start: Air-conditioned coach buses; bikes and luggage transported by truck
Distance: 150 or 175 miles over two days; one-day options also available Registration fee: $55
Housing: $15 to $30 at Mass Maritime Academy
Fundraising: $400 minimum

For more info, click here:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=4502&pg=entry&AddInterest=1601

The Farm Ride: August 4-5

The Farm Ride
Two days of bicycling in the country
Routes each day for beginners and experts
 
Saturday, August 4th
Sunday, August 5th
(with optional arrival the evening of Friday, August 3rd)
 
Amherst & Northampton, MA
 
Two days of terrific bicycle riding on quiet roads!
Lodging, meals, fantastic rest stops, and full support!
Free beer from Harpoon Brewery!
Routes from 15 – 100 miles!
Free custom racing socks for the first 300 to sign up!
Pay the standard ride fee, or raise money for the local University of Massachusetts scholarship fund and ride free – your choice!
This ride donates to MassBike!

Click here for details and on-line registration:
http://www.thefarmride.com

Mass BikePike Tour: August 16-19

Massachusetts has it all, and the goal of this annual multi-day ride across the state is to celebrate cycling in the Commonwealth. Join us for all the excitement as we explore Massachusetts, coasting through the beautiful countryside of rolling fields, majestic woods, and picturesque towns. This year, our trip begins in Concord, home to Walden Pond, Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and the Shot Heard 'Round The World, and ends as we parade down Main Street in the bustling town of Northampton, a center of the region's thriving crafts and music scene. Proceeds from the Mass BikePike Tour benefit MassBike!

The ride is limited to 75 cyclists, so register today!

For more info on registration, the route, ride planning, etc., click here:
http://www.massbikepike.org/

Rides, Rides, & More Rides!

Somerville-Medford History Ride: June 23

Join the Somerville Bicycle Committee and the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission for a Bicycle Tour of Historic Somerville and Medford. The ride starts on Saturday, June 23rd at 10:00am in the parking lot of Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue (just east of School Street). We'll ride for about 10 miles, and we should be finished around 1 pm.

We'll visit historic sites throughout Somerville and Medford, including the Old Powder House, the Isaac Royall House, and the armories and historical museums of both cities.

For more information, contact Brandon Wilson at (617) 776-3938, or Ron Newman at rnewman@theCIA.net, or Dick Bauer at dick.bauer@alum.mit.edu

Watertown Historical Bike Tour: June 23

On Saturday, June 23, at 10 AM, join with area cyclists and history enthusiasts for a Bike Tour of Historic Watertown, sponsored jointly by the Historical Society of Watertown and the Watertown Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. The theme of this ride is the Charles River and its role in Watertown's history. Come out for a pleasant bike ride and learn some local history at the same time.

The ride starts in front of the historic Edmund Fowle House, 28 Marshall Street. It is approximately six miles in length, with ten stops along the route where a member of the Historical Society will provide commentary. The expected duration is approximately two hours.

All riders must wear helmets. Children under 12 years old must be in a child seat or trailer bike. The Watertown Police Department will be assisting with traffic. A limited number of water bottles will be provided as available.

The rain date is Sunday, June 24, 10 AM. If the weather is inclement on

Saturday, visit http://watertownbikeped.org for the latest information. Send inquiries to watertown.bikeped@gmail.com.

For more info, go to http://watertownbikeped.org/

Cycle for Shelter: July 22

The 19th annual Cycle for Shelter will take place on Sunday, July 22, 2007 at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA. The ride benefits Emmaus Inc. of Haverhill, MA, a non-profit organization that has been providing shelter, services, and affordable housing to homeless men, women, and children since 1985.

Cycle for Shelter has been ranked one of the top rides in the United States by Bicycling Magazine. Cyclists can ride 27-, 62-, or 100-miles along fully supported, quiet, scenic routes. The day is planned by cyclists for cyclists.

The registration fee is $50 plus $100.00 minimum fundraising. There are awards for top fundraisers and prizes for participants. Cycle for Shelter has become a popular “first” century or metric century ride for newer cyclists, whilst still offering many challenges for more experienced cyclists. The well-marked routes are sprinkled with checkpoints and roving support vehicles and covered by radio communications.

A delicious barbeque, complimentary massages, foot treatments, and shower facilities await cyclists at the finish on the scenic Haverhill campus of Northern Essex Community College.

Emmaus is widely recognized as a model for providing long-term solutions to the problems of homelessness and 90 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to the programs. This year, as well as helping sustain our 13 existing programs, the funds raised by Cycle for Shelter will help Emmaus build a 20-unit apartment building for elders.

Cycle for Shelter: Cycle to raise awareness of the lack of affordable housing, cycle to provide long term solutions to homelessness, cycle to make a difference in your community!

Learn more about Emmaus and register to ride at www.emmausinc.org

Help! MassBike Seeks a Graphic Designer and Volunteers

Are you a graphic designer with some free time on your hands? MassBike is looking for some help designing info pamphlets to distribute at events and a few other small projects. Now’s your chance to help bicycling advocacy in Massachusetts and have your work seen by thousands of people!

We’re also always in search of office and event volunteers to help out at MassBike HQ and staff a MassBike table at rides and other events. The more help we have on these things, the more time we can devote to making bicycling better!

If you’re interested in either of these opportunities, please email Nadav@massbike.org or call us at 617-542-2453.