http://bikesafeboston.com/

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?

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:22:00 -0400

Unfortunately, I think it would. I say “unfortunately” because I’d prefer if people were obeying the law for some reason other than fear of getting a ticket. I try to provide cyclists with such a reason in posts like this, and I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about it.

However, there will always be people for whom such arguments will just never work. That’s where enforcement has to come in.

If you want proof of the effectiveness of this approach, just compare Boston pedestrians to those in California, where jaywalking is strictly enforced. When I was in San Francisco this winter, I was shocked by the pedestrians’ absolute obedience to “Don’t Walk” signs.

At first, I just chalked it up to people not having anyplace to be (lousy hippies!). Even during my short visit, I got the distinct impression that everyone in Boston is in much more of a rush than our laid back counterparts in ‘Frisco.

However, when I mentioned my theory to a native, she was quick to explain that people are just afraid of getting a ticket. At over $100 per infraction, I’m not surprised. As much as I hate to say it, strict enforcement works.

Yours,

Josh

This bell tolls for thee!

Wed, 16 May 2012 06:31:00 -0400

There are lots of great reasons to outfit your bike with a bell, but here’s one you may not expect.

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 that’s meant to protect them, you’re at fault. In this case, that means that even if the pedestrian makes a sudden, unexpected movement into your path, you’ll be on the hook for his medical bills if you didn’t ring your bell before passing.

Let me be clear: I don’t like this law. I’d much prefer if we had something like the system described in this article about bell use in Germany. It makes much more sense to save audible signaling for when it’s absolutely necessary.

However, these are the laws we’ve got, and bicycle bells cost less than medical bills. So get yourself one—it’s the cheapest insurance policy around.

Ding, ding!

Yours,

Josh

Here’s my helmet cam footage from the Rush Hour Race...

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:29:00 -0400

Here’s my helmet cam footage from the Rush Hour Race yesterday. As you can see, I stopped at every red light. Seriously, I only made two greens the entire way.

Though it’s not on by default, the video is available in 1080p, if that’s what you’re into. Sorry about the shakiness. Hopefully LivableStreets will cut it together with the other racers’ videos and make it into something cool.

Oh, and here’s a link to my route on Google Maps, in case any of you were wondering.

Thanks again to Lee Toma of Bike Milton for lending me his camera for the event!

Yours,

Josh

PS: That’s my mom that you can hear me hugging at the end. She was very proud.

Rush Hour Race update

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:30:00 -0400

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.

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.

And thanks to everyone who came out and rode with me, and to my competitors Ken and Laurie. I couldn’t have done it without you guys!

The video will be up as soon as I figure out how to upload the video.

Yours,

Josh

The case against fixies

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:08:00 -0400

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 traffic.

Riding fixed may give you more connection to your bike, improve your form, or let you go backwards and do sweet track stands, but it’s just not as safe as riding with a freewheel. Here’s why.

First, brakes are super helpful for stopping yourself abruptly, which is absolutely crucial in city traffic. Doors, red lights, jaywalkers, and suddenly turning cars can all provide ample reasons to decrease your speed as fast as possible. And while skilled riders might be able to stop a fixed gear bike on dry pavement as quickly as a freewheeler can, not all fixie riders have the necessary experience to do so in an emergency. It can be the difference between a crash and a close call.

Additionally, brakeless fixies leave you with no backup. If your chain breaks as you’re heading for an intersection, for example, you may not have time to unclip from your pedals and drag a foot. I know it doesn’t happen every day, but it definitely happens, and the results are catastrophic.

Finally, as I’ve mentioned before, communication and predictability in traffic are essential for safe riding. When you’re coasting on a freewheel, your motionless legs communicate a simple message to pedestrians and to the rest of traffic: “I’m not adding to my speed.”

Bikes don’t have brake lights or high beams to flash, but we do have an exposed engine. It may not seem like much, but it’s information that drivers and other cyclists can use in predicting your intentions.

And why not give the rest of traffic as much information as you can? When it comes to riding a bike in the city, wouldn’t you want to be as communicative and predictable you can be? It really is a question of life and death.

I understand that fixed gear riding is an important part of the cycling world. I’m not trying to diminish the advantages of this approach in any way. In fact, as a single speed rider myself, I admire the extreme simplicity of a fixed gear (exceeded only by these guys).

However, fixie riders need to understand the risks they’re taking, especially those who take their brakeless track bikes from the velodrome to the bike lane.

It’s not that they’re inherently dangerous, it’s just that they have their place. It’s at the track.

Yours,

Josh

IMG via flickr

The Rush Hour Race

Wed, 02 May 2012 22:14:00 -0400

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.

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 LivableStreets’ celebration to kick off Bay State Bike Week. It’s a great idea, and I’m proud to live in a city that would be host to such an event.

I have to admit, I’m a little bit nervous. I’ve never participated in an organized bicycle race in my life. Don’t get me wrong—I absolutely love riding fast on my bike, but I’m more of a commuter/transportation/fun times cyclist than a racer.

However, as a dedicated bike advocate, I’m sworn to do everything I can to promote cycling in all its incarnations. I’m excited to participate, and to show everyone that when it comes to getting around during rush hour, biking is the undeniable winner. Racing, prepare to meet commuting!

Yours,

Josh

PS: I know the race is scheduled for a Monday morning, but come out and show your support if you can! That’s how this sort of thing becomes an annual tradition.

PPS: I forgot to mention that I’ll be recording the race on a borrowed helmet cam, to prove that I obeyed all traffic laws on my route. I’ll be posting the video here after the race, so stay tuned.

PPPS: Also, there will be free bike tuneups at the finish line! I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly the kind of thing that’ll get me out of bed and over to the Genzyme building on a Monday morning.

IMG via flickr

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 what about on a bike? Are the rules different?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:47:00 -0400

Yikes! That sounds awful. There is a MA law that protects cyclists in that type of situation. Send me an email and we can set up a time to talk about it.

-Josh

PS: For questions like this, about a specific case or situation, it’s definitely better to email me. I’d be happy to write a post on the subject, it’s just that attorney client confidentiality does not attach if I answer such questions publicly.

Bike Safe Nation

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:28:00 -0400

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.

Bike Safe Nation is the name that we’re giving to our three main initiatives: the Bicyclist’s Accident Report, the bike lawyer referral network, and the local bike law websites.

So far, over 80,000 copies of the Bicyclist’s Accident Report have been printed, and the referral network is up and running. Now it’s time to get the final initiative off the ground.

I’m here to ask for your help.

From the very beginning, when Tim and I started planning what the Bicyclist’s Accident Report would look like, I knew that the most important part of the card’s design was the back. The inside is certainly useful in the event of a crash, and the space on the front allowed us to print them for other states, but truth be told, the back was the part that we spent the most time on.

Unlike the inside of the cards, which can only help you after the fact, the back has the potential to actually prevent crashes. By providing a clear, simple illustration of a state’s often complex bike laws, we convey this vital information to cyclists in a format that they can immediately understand.

As I said in my post about The Triforce, it’s education like this that enables safety to happen. An educated cyclist rides more confidently, and a confident cyclist is a safe cyclist. It’s that simple.

Of course, you can only explain so much in a 2” x 3.5” space, and most states have more than six bike laws. That’s why we’ve come up with a way to show you all of your state’s illustrated bike laws in one place.

Your city’s Bike Safe Network website will feature simple illustrations and plain-English explanations of the laws that you need to know as a cyclist.

Additionally, the sites will feature illustrations of some of the better bike laws that other states have passed, and connect you with the organizations that are trying to bring them to your state. By educating riders not only on what their bike laws are, but also on what their bike laws could be, we help everyday cyclists become advocates for better bike legislation.

Tim and I have already come up with a great design for the sites; it’s clean, simple, and focused, just like the back of the cards. The problem is, neither Tim nor I are web developers. In order to make these sites work, we need to hire someone who knows how to program for the web.

Luckily, we happen to live in a part of the country where talented web developers instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. We have a couple of people in mind, and we’ve been working with them to determine what a project like this might cost. Whatever the final number is, it’s become clear that it will be beyond my budget. That’s where I need your help.

I need to find a corporate sponsor to underwrite the costs of producing these websites (just like I did for the out of state cards). Each site will be “Brought to you by” this sponsor, and will link to their homepage. It’s a brilliant bit of advertising, because it actually serves the cycling community.

If you work for a company that might be interested in funding this initiative, please get in touch. And if you’re just a regular cyclist who sees the benefit of this resource, tweet or email this post to a company you like that may want to get involved.

I don’t know if this will work, and it’s probably a long shot, but I’m excited to try.

With your help, we can give cyclists across the country a better way to understand their laws, and a reason to advocate for better ones. Let’s make it happen.

Yours,
Josh

Planet Bike (Safe)

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:01:00 -0400

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!

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 create versions for every state.

Distribution in each city and state is handled by a local bike advocacy organization, whose name, website, and logo are featured on the front of each card.

We kicked off this partnership at the 2012 National Bike Summit. I met with Jay Ferm, Planet Bike’s Advocacy Director, and together we found three organizations who were excited to be the first to get involved with this initiative.

If you’re a biker in Pittsburgh, Iowa City, or San Luis Obispo, you should see local versions of the Bicyclist’s Accident Report popping up around town in the next few weeks.

If you’re unlucky enough to live someplace else, just have your local bike advocacy group get in touch with me. As long as they’re a 501c3 nonprofit, and a member of the Alliance for Biking and Walking, Planet Bike will sponsor their cards.

Don’t worry: if your city doesn’t have a qualifying organization, we’re still happy to partner with local businesses that are interested in bringing the Bicyclist’s Accident Report to your neck of the woods! Our new printer has made this option more affordable than ever.

So get in touch (or sit tight) and we’ll make biking safer one state at a time.

Yours,

Josh

Bridgetown Ho!

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:44:00 -0400

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.

I first met Brock back in January, when he was in Boston visiting his in-laws. We had a great time, and since then I’ve been enjoying his show every week.

That’s why, when I finally got around to looking for a sponsor for the Oregon card, The Sprocket Podcast was my first thought. Seriously, if you like bikes and podcasts, do yourself a favor and check them out.

So far, they’re available at the following locations:

Abraham Fixes Bikes, 3508 N Williams Ave
Cascade Cycling, 122 North Killingsworth Street
Cránk Bicycles, 2725 SE Ash Street
CyclePath, 2436 Northeast M L King Boulevard
The eBike Store, 201 North Alberta Street
Missing Link, 7215 Northeast Sandy Boulevard
North Portland Bike Works, 3978 North Mississippi Avenue
Revolver, 6511-15 N Interstate Avenue
Universal Cycles, 2202 E. Burnside St.
UpCycles, 911 Northeast Dekum Street
Joe Bike, 3953 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Veloce Bicycles, 3202 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Coventry Cycle Works, 2025 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

Brock and Brandon have been doing their best to get them distributed all over town, but they’re not everywhere just yet. If you want a bunch to give out at your event, or you’d like to see them at your local bike shop, book store, or cafe, let the boys know in an email or on twitter, and they’ll hook it up.

Go get one for yourself, and may you never have to use it!

Yours,

Josh

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.

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:31:00 -0400

I want to preface my answer to this question by stating, clearly and unequivocally, that biking while drunk is incredibly dangerous. DO NOT DO IT!

Ok, now that that’s out of the way, here’s the story:

Many states have enacted specific legislation that makes it illegal to ride a bike under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

For example, in California (where the above illustration was first used), section 21200.5 of the vehicle code states that “it is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle upon a highway while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug.”

A number of other states have chosen not to make drunk biking specifically illegal, and instead apply their existing impaired driving laws to cyclists.

Section 813.010 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, for example, states that it is unlawful if “a person commits the offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants if the person drives a vehicle while the person: (a) Has .08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the blood… (b) Is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, a controlled substance or an inhalant; or (c) Is under the influence of any combination of intoxicating liquor, an inhalant and a controlled substance.” [emphasis mine]

Although it doesn’t specifically mention riding a bicycle while drunk, this statute can be applied to cyclists through section 814.400, which says, in part, that “when the term ‘vehicle’ is used the term shall be deemed to be applicable to bicycles.”

Massachusetts follows neither approach. Under MA law, drunk biking is neither a distinct offense, nor a crime punishable under our drunk driving statute.

While our laws do give bikes all the rights and responsibilities of vehicles, as I explained in this post, our drunk driving law is worded differently than Oregon’s, and, as is often the case with statutes, the wording makes all the difference.

Under Chapter 90 § 24 of the Massachusetts General Laws, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Section one of that chapter defines “motor vehicle” as “all vehicles constructed and designed for propulsion by power other than muscular power.” It goes on to say that the definition does not include motorized bicycles.

So there you have it. If you ride your bike drunk in Massachusetts, you cannot be arrested for drunk driving, even if you’ve outfitted your bicycle with a motor. You can still be taken into protective custody, but you won’t be charged with any crime.

In case you were wondering, I don’t think that drunk biking needs to be made illegal in MA. As I mentioned before, riding a bike while drunk is a terrible idea — however, if you’re foolish enough to do it, you’re really only risking your own life. Unlike drunk drivers, your potential risk to society is quite low.

Also, enforcing such a law would be incredibly problematic. Apart from the obvious question of how the police would determine who they should stop (“I only swerved to avoid that pothole, officer, I swear!”), a drunk biking law would provide a ready means for officers to detain pretty much anyone they see riding a bike.

In poorer communities, where people of color are already subjected to increased scrutiny and harassment by police, “biking while intoxicated” would become one more pretext for an otherwise unlawful seizure.

To me, the trivial benefit of such a law is far outweighed by its potential for abuse.

Yours,
Josh

The Need for Speed

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:54:00 -0400

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 clearly doesn’t see us, or get past that car that’s suddenly turning right without a blinker. Being able to put the hammer down is an important skill for a biker to have, and it can prevent you from being boxed in or worse.

Just as critical: knowing when NOT to give it that extra boost. As helpful as a sudden burst of speed can be for cyclists, it can be incredibly dangerous if used in the wrong circumstance.

It can be particularly perilous when you’re approaching a yellow light. As any driver’s ed student can tell you, the yellow light is there to provide a buffer, in case you can’t safely stop in time (you can squeeze the lemon, just don’t squish the tomato.)

However, we all know that to most drivers, a yellow light just means “go like hell!”

It’s easy for bikers to think this way too. I’ve often found that my first impulse when a green light turns yellow is to dig in, pedal hard, and power through the intersection at top speed.

The thing is, part of riding a bike safely in traffic is being a little more cautious than you would be behind the wheel of a car. As cyclists, we need to remember that we’re not belted into a steel cage, surrounded by airbags.

Thanks to Ralph Nader, you could potentially walk away after getting T-boned in a car; that outcome is much less likely if you’re on a bike. The risk/reward analysis at a yellow light is just different, and it’s something that we all need to take into account.

I still sometimes have to put the hammer down at a yellow light, but only in situations where it would be unsafe to stop (e.g. there’s a car close behind me and no room to pull over). Otherwise, I treat a yellow light as a red light. Don’t get me wrong, I still like to test out the afterburners every chance I get — I just do it in the name of safety.

Yours,
Josh

IMAGE via flickr

Happy Marathon Monday!

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:00:53 -0400

Good luck to everyone who is running today—try to stay cool out there!

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

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:45:00 -0400

Hey Kristen,

You’re welcome! We actually have a Michigan card all designed and ready to go. Our sponsor committed, we uploaded the files to the printer, but it’s been a while and I haven’t heard from him. I think it’s safe to say that he’s no longer interested. Send me an email and we’ll figure out how to get this thing made!

Yours,

Josh

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?

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:29:00 -0400

Email me or give me a call, my number is at the bottom of the page. I’d be happy to help you out.

As a side note: for specific questions like this, it’s always better to send me an email, or include your email address in the question. Tumblr only lets me answer these questions as posts, so I may be hesitant to do so if I’ve got another article coming.

Where do you get the pictures for your posts? Is there a reason they're not of bikers in Boston?

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:23:00 -0400

Urban AdvenTours Boston Bike Film Fest Tour (10/25/09)

Unlike Lovely Bicycle, I’m not a photographer, so nearly all of the pictures on this blog come from Flickr.

I have the following two considerations in mind when I’m deciding which picture to use for a post (in order of priority):

The picture must somehow depict the topic of the article. It seems pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how difficult it can be to find a good looking picture of “bike theft.”
Whenever possible, I try to use pictures of women riding bikes. Men are overrepresented in the cycling community, and I think of this as doing my part to change that. Biking is for everybody—that’s what makes it so great!

As you can probably imagine, limiting my search to Boston would make this already tricky task nearly impossible.

Also, despite the name, this site isn’t just about biking in Boston. I’m a MA-licensed attorney, and I’m always happy to answer questions about Massachusetts law, but I realized early on that my focus should be more broad. In fact, most days, the majority of my readers are from California, New York, or Oregon. I try to keep that in mind when writing the more general posts.

Incidentally, if anyone out there wants to take some bikey pictures around Boston for me to use, go nuts. I’d love to show off how great this town is for biking! There may even be something in it for you if I end up using a photo you send in…

Yours,
Josh

IMAGE via flickr

The safest t's in town, now available at Hub Bicycle Co.

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:46:00 -0400

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 supporting local bike advocacy.

Where can you go to experience this old fashioned consumer transaction? You need only venture as far as Inman Square in Cambridge. My dear friend Emily is selling them in her shop, Hub Bicycle Co.

I’ve mentioned Hub before, as it’s one of my favorite independent bike shops. It’s a refreshingly low pressure environment, and the proprietress is always around to answer any questions you might have.

Hub also has a variety of great bikey stuff that you’re unlikely to see in most shops, including a full line of products from Portland Design Works (makers of my favorite bike lights). Best of all, Emily’s prices are the lowest in town.

Get to know her new shop at 1064 Cambridge Street in Cambridge, MA.

While you’re there, you can support local bike advocacy with the purchase of a reflective Bike Safe Boston t-shirt. Remember, if you buy two, it’s twice the advocacy!

Yours,
Josh

Hands: They're not just for flipping off cars anymore!

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:01:00 -0400

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.

As I’ve mentioned before, clear communication with drivers keeps you safe on the road. Dorky or not, signaling your intention puts drivers on notice, and can actively prevent a crash from happening. Plus, should the worst happen, they can also protect you after the fact.

That’s why it’s important to know what’s expected of you in your state, as the rules regarding hand signals vary widely depending on how bike friendly your legislature has been. In Massachusetts, for instance, hand signals are no longer mandatory. In 2009, Massachusetts General Law Ch. 85 §11B was amended to allow cyclists to forego hand signals if performing them would interfere with the safe operation of their bike.

This change may seem like a step backwards for safe cycling, but in fact it was designed to protect us. Like most recent bike law updates, this statute is about what I like to call “passive protection” for bikers.

Take the case of a biker making a left turn. If she gets hit by a driver who was texting behind the wheel, the question becomes who was at fault. If it can be shown that she failed to signal, and the laws of her state mandate hand signals for cyclists, she could be found partially at fault under the principle of negligence per se.

On the other hand, if the law lets bicyclists skip signaling if it would be unsafe, her interests are protected. That’s why I consider such laws “passive protection”; they don’t necessarily prevent accidents, but they can provide important protection after the fact.

As a cyclist, you want to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to take advantage of both active and passive protection. This is why it’s vital to know how your state treats hand signals.

Look on your legislature’s website; if your state could be doing more to protect cyclist’s rights, get in touch with your local bike advocacy organization to find out how you can help make things better. When it comes down to it, the key to better bike law is in your hands.

Yours,
Josh

Image via flickr

Ride on Washington

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:57:00 -0400

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 bike event from Boston to Washington with stops along the way in Hartford, New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Cyclists will ride for an average of 8 hours per day in an effort to raise funds for Bikes Belong Foundation, which works to enhance children’s bike program and make bicycling safer and better across America.

One notable participant in the event is Entercom Boston VP/Market Manager Jeff Brown, who is participating in the first two legs of the trip — from Boston to Hartford then Hartford to New York City, a total of 238 miles. Also partaking is CEO of John Hancock Funds Keith Hartstein, who has committed to riding the entire journey.

These two men, along with 20 other cyclists and like-minded Boston business leaders, are braving the weather and riding alongside other professional cyclists and triathletes from the local cycling community.

Best of luck to everyone participating! The money is being raised for a good cause, indeed. Also, I should mention that I’ll be heading to the National Bike Summit too (though I’ll be taking a train to get there). If anyone wants to meet up, just send me an email or get in touch on twitter and we’ll make it happen.

Yours,
Josh

Florida's KEY to safety has arrived!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:53:27 -0400

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 cyclists a 3-foot safety buffer when passing in the same direction. This law makes being a biker on the road less scary, which, in turn, makes cycling more accessible for everyone.

STR’s mission is lot like ours, actually: if we can make cycling safer all-around with education and better legislation, more folks will ride. And as STR’s website points out, more bikes will result in “healthier neighbors, fewer cars on the road, and less impact on our environment.”

Juan Carlos Agosto, the founder and CEO of STR, was kind enough to give us an explanation of how Share the Road Apparel came to be:

It began 3 years ago. STR has been active for 2.

I have been riding for more than 8 years now, and have always been comfortable on the road. But I was getting frustrated that people in Florida weren’t aware of the 3 feet law for passing a cyclist.

I didn’t even know about the law until I began riding. I always heard stories of accidents but they never mentioned the law about sharing the road and giving cyclists 3ft.

Then it was my turn — I was cut off by a car and got hit. Luckily, I got out of it fine. But after witnessing how motorists and cyclists where treating each other, I immediately wanted to do something to make a change.

I decided to do something in a way that I could mix my love of cycling with my other passion of graphic design. So I started designing cool cycling jerseys and t-shirt designs that convey the message of just sharing the road and giving cyclist 3 feet in addition to the love of bikes. I thought that i could spread the word by using fashion and cool designs that people would like to wear with the intention of creating buzz and inquiries in order to get the message out.

I feel that not that many people care or know about the law. I see how my friends and coworkers have changed their attitude towards bicycles and cyclists by just me telling them what I’m doing. I figure that doing this is better than doing nothing and if I can get one person to change their mind about bicycles/cyclists on the road and treat each other with a little respect — it’s well worth it.

Moving your car 3 feet to the left when you come up to a bicycle is not the end of the world — it’s the law and it can save lives.

To get your very own Florida version of the Bicyclist’s Accident Report, send an SASE to:

STR Apparel
ATTN. Accident Report Card
5107 Cortez Ct.
Delray Beach, FL 33484

Juan will also be visiting local bike stores and coffee shops to drop off cards in the coming weeks. If you want to carry them at your local business, or know of someplace that should, send an email to info@str-apparel.com, with the subject “FL Accident Report Card”.

One last thing: don’t forget to follow STR on Facebook and Twitter!