Issue #18 / September 2007

BREAKING NEWS: Boston to announce Bicycle program... but is it real?

On August 25, the Globe published an article on Mayor Menino's new interest in bicycling (click here for the article) -- "We're going to do more in our city with bikes," he declared. Tomorrow, Thursday September 20, at 2pm at Fann Pier [map] in South Boston the Mayor will hold a press conference to announce a bicycle program for the City. Where did this new interest come from? "The mayor's latest habit began to take root about four months ago, when his chief of policy and planning, Michael Kineavy, began bicycling and sharing his enthusiasm for the sport during conversations between Cabinet meetings and other official proceedings," the Globe reported. The announcement tomorrow will include details about the bicycle program, such as staffing, program elements, and first steps. For the past two months, LivableStreets Alliance, along with other advocacy groups, have had the ear of the Mayor's office who have been extremely receptive to our ideas, and have heard our interests loud and clear. This is an incredibly positive step in the right direction!

Commonwealth Avenue to have Bicycle Lanes. Over a year ago, LivableStreets Alliance kicked off an advocacy effort to improve what we believed to be a dangerous design for the reconstruction of the intersection at Comm. Ave. and the BU Bridge. In collaboration with WalkBoston, Adaptive Environments, and MassBike, we have been diligently working with the City to get changes that would make the area safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. One result of our efforts has been a commitment by the City to design bicycle lanes as part of the effort to improve bicycle accommodation in the area. LivableStreets will be given the opportunity to review the plan when it is drafted. Another win has been the agreement by the City to consider closing the second turn lane that has been added to improve car flow at the expense of pedestrians. Say thank you to Boston for listening and taking action! Email btd@cityofboston.gov. [more].

Sunday Sept. 23: Hub On Wheels bike ride takes over Storrow Drive! The ride starts promptly at 8 AM (no late starters) at Boston's City Hall Plaza. How often do you get to ride your bike on Storrow Drive? The more people who ride Sunday, the more likely this could become a more common closure (like Memorial Drive on Sundays in Cambridge). [more... ]

Fri/Sat Sept. 28 & 29: AltWheels Alternative Transportation and Energy Festival! FREE. Boston City Hall Plaza. Not to be missed. Stop by to see us at the LivableStreets booth. (Fri. 9a-7p / Sat. 10a-6p) [more... ]

Sat. Sept. 22: World Car- Free Day! People across the globe get together to swear off their cars - if only for one day - in a collective reminder that we don't have to accept car- dominated societies, cities, or personal lives. Since its earliest incarnations in the 1970s and '80s, WORLD CAR-FREE DAY has grown into a massive global celebration of human-centric communities and people-powered transportation. Someday Boston might even take part. [more...]

Thu. Sept. 27 : Rethinking Centre Street: "Contested Streets" film screening and Panel Discussion (incuding Jeff Rosenblum from LivableStreets Alliance). “Contested Streets” examines the evolution of our streets as public spaces to their current-day use, which prioritizes the rapid movement of automobiles over all other functions. Panel moderated by Neighborhood Network News Anchor and News Director Chris Lovett. Click here for more information about the film, (55 min. run time). 7 - 9:30pm, Connolly Branch Library, Jamaica Plain [map]. ansportation. [more...]

LivableStreets in the news re: Charles River Bicycle Path. "If you really think about what makes a world-class city, it's not the number of cars coming in and out of the city," says Jeff Rosenblum, executive director of LivableStreets, an urban transportation planning group. "It's open space, car-free zones," and lots of recreational options for residents. [more...]