May 2012
6 posts
5 tags
Anonymous asked: In the Metro Boston area there has been increased enforcement of bicycle laws with tickets being given to bike riding offenders. Do you think that more rigorous enforcement of pedestrian laws would be beneficial for creating a culture of lawfulness on our roads?
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This bell tolls for thee!
There are lots of great reasons to outfit your bike with a bell, but here’s one you may not expect.
[[MORE]]According to Massachusetts General Law Ch. 85 § 11B, whenever you’re riding on the sidewalk, you must “give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.”
As I’ve discussed before, if you injure someone while you’re breaking a law...
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Rush Hour Race update
I won!
It was my first race ever, and I came in first. I’m batting 1,000. Maybe it’s time to retire, while I’m still on top.[[MORE]]
Thanks again to LivableStreets for asking me to participate, I had a blast. If you don’t know about LivableStreets, definitely check them out. It’s a really great organization, and they’re always looking for new members.
...
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The case against fixies
It’s time to face the facts: fixies are unsafe.
Actually, let me rephrase that: riding a fixie in traffic is unsafe. Especially without brakes.
I know this post will do nothing to endear me to any of the legion of fixed gear enthusiasts out there, particularly not after I already denounced their favorite pastime. But it’s the truth. Fixies belong on a track, not in...
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The Rush Hour Race
I have a confession to make: I’m not a racer. That’s why I think it’s a little funny that I’ve committed to represent all cyclists in the Rush Hour Race.
[[MORE]]
On May 14th, a driver, an MBTA rider, and a biker will be racing from Davis Square to Kendall Square to prove which mode of transport reigns supreme. And I’m gonna be the biker.
It’s all part of...
April 2012
11 posts
1 tag
Anonymous asked: I recently got in an accident with a car in Boston, where the car passed me, then turned right in front of me. They stopped short to avoid killing a jay-walking pedestrian, but I hit them from behind, sending me to the ER with a broken nose and teeth and a concussion. Is there a law in mass that would protect me in this situation? In a car, if I had hit him, I would probably be at fault, but...
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Bike Safe Nation
Dear fellow cyclist,
I’d like to introduce you to our next big project: Bike Safe Nation.
This is something that has been in the works for a very long time, and I truly believe that it has the potential to revolutionize bike safety. I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking the first steps towards making it happen.
[[MORE]]
Bike Safe Nation is the name that we’re giving to our...
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Planet Bike (Safe)
I’m proud to announce that we’ve formed a partnership with the fine folks at Planet Bike to help bring the Bicyclist’s Accident Report to bikers in every state!
[[MORE]]
As you may know, Planet Bike gives an astounding 25% of their profits to bike advocacy every year. Since hearing about our plans, they’ve graciously offered to cover the printing costs so that we can...
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Bridgetown Ho!
It’s taken a little while, but the Bicyclist’s Accident Report has finally come to Portlandia, thanks to my pals at The Sprocket Podcast!
Loosely focused on bikes, booze, and alternative transportation, the show makes its way into an assortment of other topics as its hosts discuss “simplifying the good life” with their various guests.
[[MORE]]I first met Brock back in...
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Anonymous asked: What's the law here in Mass. about BUI (Biking under the influence). I'm not planning on doing so, nor do I recommend it, but I'm curious about the law on this.
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The Need for Speed
Speed is a useful way for cyclists to assert ourselves on the road. When changing lanes or passing, it’s always good to give it a little extra juice, just to let drivers know what you’re capable of. We’re not all racers, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep up.
Speed can also help to keep us safe in traffic. We’ve all had to get out in front of that truck that...
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Happy Marathon Monday!
Good luck to everyone who is running today—try to stay cool out there!
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Anonymous asked: Hello and thank you for a great website. Do you have any near-term plans for a Michigan Bicyclist's Accident Report card? If you are still looking for a commitment from a Michigan business to pay for printing, I'd be happy to ask around at local bike shops. Thanks again! - Kristen
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Anonymous asked: I was doored by a car last summer. his insurance company told me that they would pay the money that it cost to replace my front wheel. i bought the wheel in confidence that they would reimburse me. they never did, and i still have the insurance claim number. is there anything i can do?
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Anonymous asked: Where do you get the pictures for your posts? Is there a reason they're not of bikers in Boston?
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The safest t's in town, now available at Hub...
I’m pleased to announce that the Bike Safe Boston reflective t-shirts you’ve heard so much about are finally on sale in an actual shop!
That’s right, we’ve officially gone brick and mortar (totally retro). Now you can feel for yourself how exceptionally soft these ultra-premium American Apparel tri-blend T’s are before you buy. As always, 100% of the profit goes to...
March 2012
6 posts
4 tags
Hands: They're not just for flipping off cars...
One of the dorkier parts of cycling has to be hand signals. You might as well be wearing elbow pads and yelling “Gangway for foot cycle!” as you navigate through a crowd of pedestrians on the way to a meeting of the local Philatelic Society (you’re the treasurer).
But even though hand signaling may seem dorky or antiquated, it can actually be a pretty big deal.
[[MORE]]
As...
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Ride on Washington
From L to R: Jeff Brown (VP/Marketing Manager of Entercom Boston), Tim Johnson (6-time National Cyclocross Champion) & Keith Hartstein (CEO of John Hancock Funds)
A Bike Safe Boston reader sent me this story this afternoon:
Northshore resident and 6-time national cyclocross champion Tim Johnson kicked off his second annual Ride on Washington today.
Ride on Washington is a 5-day, 500-mile...
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Florida's KEY to safety has arrived!
It’s official: The Florida Bicyclist’s Accident Report Card is complete. Isn’t she lovely?
Sponsoring the Sunshine State’s cards is Share the Road Apparel, a new company that promotes safe cycling with superior-quality biking jerseys and other gear.
Their message centers around Florida’s “3 foot passing rule” — a law that requires motorists to give...
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Guest post: Doug Reich, "One Simple Principle for...
I’m happy to announce this Bike Safe Boston special guest post by Doug Reich of Weather Out There. Doug’s an avid cyclist and bike geek sharing what he learns about transportation cycling in a practical, engaging way.
When I asked Doug why he started his blog, here’s what he had to say:
I started my blog to answer the question I get most in my office, which is “you...
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Putting your foot down, part 3: Why track stands...
To an urban cyclist, practicing a track stand at a red light may seem like a fine way to pass the time ‘til it’s lawful to go. He might think: What could be better than working on my skills while I obey the rules of the road?
After all, track stands improve your balance, and a balanced cyclist is a safe cyclist. If you can stay stopped without getting out of your toe clips,...
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All aboard in Buffalo!
I’m absolutely thrilled to show you this photo of Buffalo’s Bike Accident Report cards — printed courtesy of Green Options Buffalo.
Green Options Buffalo (or, GO-Buffalo) is a truly innovative organization that supports “healthy, environmentally sustainable, community friendly transportation” in and around Buffalo, NY. Take a look at their site, and you’ll see an...
February 2012
7 posts
3 tags
Theft happens.
There are few things more heartbreaking than having your bike stolen. Not only is your bike a valuable piece of your property, it’s also a part of you. It’s how you get through the world.
Fortunately, there are 3 steps you can take that make having your bike stolen a little less painful.
First: Document your bike!
Take plenty of pictures and record the serial number. When it...
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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...
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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.
If you want a NYC Bike Accident Report...
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Anonymous asked: Is it legal to listen to music/headphones while biking in boston/cambridge/somerville?
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Anonymous asked: 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.
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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.
When I was out in San Fran looking for a sponsor to print...
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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...
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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...
January 2012
7 posts
3 tags
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...
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Doug's story: How to use a Bicyclist's Accident...
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.
Picture a...
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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...
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I'm a guest on the Sprocket Podcast!
Tune into my chat with Brock Dittus on the Sprocket Podcast.
We had a great time talking bike law, parking meters, Portlandia, the Hubway program, and more.
Click here to listen.
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Seen in SF
Great tattoo. Don’t worry, I asked her permission first.
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Introducing: Bike Safe Boston t-shirts
A few months ago, I asked Tim to come up with a logo for Bike Safe Boston. He made a bunch of really great designs, and we eventually settled on the one you now see in the corner of this page. It’s great, right? Nice and simple, just what I was looking for.
The thing is, the other ones he made were pretty great, too! It didn’t seem right to just forget about them. I was...
December 2011
10 posts
3 tags
The California cards are done!
Just a quick post to let everyone see an example of what my cards will look like in other states. This is the first non-MA version, and I think it came out great! They were printed by Michael Pusateri of cruftbox.com, who contacted me after hearing my ad on Jordan, Jesse GO!
As you can see, the “printed courtesy of” part on the front is really hard to read. Don’t worry,...
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To all the people who have contacted me about...
Thank you.
It really means a lot that my little idea has reached so many people, and that so many of you like it. I am humbled. The power and possibility of the Internet never ceases to amaze me, and I can’t wait to see how far this will go.
So here’s the story:
My plan for the cards is to have a version in every state and every major biking city, along with a localized version...
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Guest post: Dan Sorger, "Demand More"
I’m happy to kick off Bike Safe Boston’s series of guest posts by people in the Boston biking community.
I should note that the views in these posts don’t necessarily reflect my own (but I probably agree with them to some extent; it’s my site, after all).
Submissions are always welcome. If you have something that you’d like to write about, feel free to get in...
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Anonymous asked: Riding home one night, I was going straight, and a car turned left in front of me, forcing me to break. I had lights and believe I was visible to him. I flipped him off (I was pissed). He stopped, middle of the intersection, got out of his car (it was actually a van) and threatened me with violence as I rode by. Do I have any recourse in this situation? I didn't get his license plate or...
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Anonymous asked: Your bicycle bill of rights graphic will make an awesome statement the back of a bike jersey. It wouldn't need to be obnoxious, but I think it would grab enough attention of other road (those that are willing to be ducated that is) to perhaps check out a website to find out more.i'd buy one if they were available. How about writing about lights? I can't believe how many folks...
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Putting Your Foot Down: Part 2
This was first published as a guest post on BostInno.com.
I realized that in order to fully explain why we shouldn’t run red lights, I need to provide a rock-solid reason that all of us can agree on. However, until I started writing the first article in this series, I didn’t really have one.
Sure, it’s against the law, but we all know that that’s rarely enforced. It...
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dailydesignbits asked: Is it legal to bike outside of the bike lane? I usually bike during 9-5 rush hours when cars are parking and car doors are opening and closing and the bike lane is pretty dangerous. I usually bike on the outside edge of the lane, or just barely in the bike lane - safely out of reach of most car doors. Just wondering what the actual laws were regarding biking in and outside of the bike lane.
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My Experience with a Pothole
Last night, after attending a fantastic talk at Harvard about Hubway bikes, I was riding down JFK and onto Mass Ave. It was pouring rain, and the roads were slick and fairly treacherous. I stopped at the light by Church Street and planned my descent onto Cambridge Street, via the underpass.
For those of you who know the area, you know that it gets pretty hairy coming down that hill and into...
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Product Review: One Good Earbud
Turns out the fine folks at One Good Earbud saw my last post, and they were generous enough to send me a few samples for testing.
The products I received are right-side earbuds, in two styles, and a package of “budlocks”, which are formfitting caps that replace the standard silicone ones that come with most in-ear earbuds.
I chose to test the wrap-around style of right earbud,...
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Earbuds: The Silent Killer
I can’t name many universal truths, but here’s one: just about everything is better with a soundtrack.
In particular, this principle applies to A-to-B activities like walking, driving and riding public transit. However, while biking seems like a natural candidate for improvement-by-music, it’s not — for one simple reason.
Listening to music while biking is RIDICULOUSLY...
November 2011
5 posts
3 tags
Anonymous asked: Hi Josh - I no longer live in Boston (though I might again in the near future), and stumbled upon your site when a friend forwarded me your "Putting your foot down: Part I" posting. My question is whether there is a legal requirement to wear a helmet while riding on the roads (as opposed to, say, bike paths). Many states have helmet laws for motorcyclists, and while the speeds on a...
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Putting Your Foot Down: Part 1
Stopping at a red light is never optional when you’re in a car. But on a bike, it doesn’t always seem necessary to wait at lights — maybe the intersection’s clear, or there’s a “walk” sign in the direction you’re heading, or whatever.
This probably doesn’t need to be said, but running red lights on a bike is illegal. Specifically, Massachusetts General Law...
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Anonymous asked: Are motorcycles and/or scooters allowed to use bike lanes? I see them doing it all the time in Boston and Brookline.