Bike Safe Boston: a Boston biking blog, written by a lawyer specializing in bike law

About Bike Safe Boston

Josh Zisson graduated from
Suffolk Law School and was
admitted to practice law in Massachusetts in 2009. He
worked for a few firms before starting his own practice
specializing in bike law.

Now Josh is posted up in
Central Square, Cambridge,
doing what he loves most:
riding bikes and practicing law.

RSS
Archive

Click here to subscribe to the Bike Safe Boston mailing list

Feb

Managing your mangled bike

After a crash, it’s important to know if your bike is still safe to ride. What may look like a few scratches may actually be a bent frame, or worse. Such damage could lead to a dangerous failure down the road, so it’s important to have your bike checked out by a qualified mechanic, just in case.

If the crash was caused by a car, there’s another important reason to have it checked out: an insurance estimate. In my experience, most insurance adjusters don’t ride bikes (yes, I always ask). This means that they often have a hard time getting their heads around the idea of a bicycle that cost more than $250. In fact, the idea that rims alone can cost more than that is often enough to boggle their auto-centric minds.

Permalink

Feb

Start spreadin’ the news!

It’s here! It’s NYC Bike Accident Report Card is HERE.

It was generously, graciously and all-around awesomely printed by Article, an NYC-based art collective who — in addition to being bold advocates of safer cycling in NYC — have their inky fingers in a ton of creative projects. Click here to see what they’re currently working on.

Permalink

Feb

Is it legal to listen to music/headphones while biking in boston/cambridge/somerville?

Asked by
Anonymous

There is currently no law against it, but, as I noted in this post, it’s not a very good idea to compromise your hearing on the road. States like California do have laws that prohibit riding with headphones over both ears. However, most anti-headphone laws (including California’s) permit cyclists to listen to music while they ride, as long as it’s only in one ear.

Permalink

Are you aware of the N.H. Laws related to cyclist and if not where do I go to find out. I also like the Idea of the accident report card I wish they had some in N.H.

Asked by
Anonymous

I’m not yet aware of what sort of bike laws there are in New Hampshire, however, I’d be happy to make a Granite State version of my cards. Check out the link in the sidebar on the left for how to make that happen.

Permalink

Feb

Hello San Francisco, your cards are ready.

I’m pleased to announce that the San Francisco version of the Bicyclist’s Accident Report card has been printed and is ready for its new home in your wallet! As you can see, these cards were printed by Huckleberry Bicycles, and they’re currently available in their lovely shop at 1073 Market Street, between 6th and 7th.

Permalink

Feb

Megan’s story: How to report bad MBTA behavior

Last week, avid Boston biker Megan and her husband, Kyle, had a very unsettling encounter with an MBTA bus driver in Cambridge. She reached out on the Bike Safe Boston Facebook page to share their story, and I must say, it’s quite a crazy one.

Unfortunately, it may not be a very uncommon one. I’m posting it here as an example of how to properly handle such a situation. Also, Megan and Kyle did what each of us needs to do when something like this happens: they got the driver’s info and filed a report with the MBTA. If none of us takes these steps, there will be no change.

Megan and Kyle, I’m relieved that you’re both okay. I applaud your actions, and salute you for your contributions to the safe cycling triforce!

Here is Megan’s post:

Permalink

Jan

Triforce Mike

This morning I posted a short article entitled “The Triforce.” It’s probably right below this post. I had started writing it last week, but I finished it last night (1/30/12).

Shortly after the post went up today, someone commented on it to let me know that early yesterday morning a man in Orlando, FL named Mike Pandel died from injuries he sustained after being hit by a car while riding his bike. He was a podcaster and a local figure in Orlando, well known and well-liked. He also happened to have the nickname “Triforce Mike.”

Permalink

The Triforce

Kids learn about the triforce.

I was thinking about The Legend of Zelda today when it struck me—safer roads are the result of a triforce of safe cycling elements.

For cyclists, safer roads come from better bike laws and proper infrastructure that takes cycling into account. But there’s a third element that brings it all together—forming what biking advocates (should) call the Golden Triangle, or “triforce,” of safe cycling. This third element, capable of harnessing the power of legislation and infrastructure to unleash safe cycling across our nation is, of course, education.

Without education, neither of the other forces of safety are fully effective. It’s the special sauce that brings it all together. Think about it: the best laws in the country won’t make cycling any safer unless people know about them. New bike lanes are great, but until you know how to ride in them properly, they can be even more dangerous than riding in the road.

Permalink

Jan

Doug’s story: How to use a Bicyclist’s Accident Report card

Recently, I got this email from my buddy Doug in British Columbia.

It’s a pretty harrowing account of his bike collision (he’s okay, no worries!) and how a Bicyclist’s Accident Report card helped him handle it.

Doug’s filled-out Bicyclist’s Accident Report card.

Hi JZ,

Well, your card was used in my spectacular collision on my way home tonight.

Permalink

Jan

Guest post: Ian Klepetar, “Superheroes”

The next post in Bike Safe Boston’s special guest series is by Ian Klepetar of BicycleBenefits.

According to Ian’s website, Bicycle Benefits is a “progressive bicycling program designed to reward individuals and businesses for their commitment to cleaner air, personal health, and the use of pedaling energy in order to create a more sustainable community”.

By incentivizing cycling, Ian encourages citydwellers to use their bikes for daily errands: just buy a sticker for $5 to get discounts at the local coffeeshops, restaurants and stores you use everyday.

Though Bicycle Benefits’s humble roots are in Ian’s hometown of Saratoga Springs, NY, Ian has been spreading his message all over the country since 2006 (by bike, of course). 21 states (plus British Columbia) now have thriving Bicycle Benefits programs. And, considering Ian’s passion and energy, more will soon follow.

All right, on to his post!

Permalink