Biking is Getting More Popular Here
I've Moved! The Boomer Chronicles has closed after 6 years, but you can keep up with me on my new blog at http://www.rheabecker.com
With soaring gas prices, lots of people are ditching their cars for cheaper transportation, like bicycles. I am thrilled to see this development. Boston, despite all of its colleges and young people, has never been a great city for bike riders, and I like to bike. We have biking events like Critical Mass and we have some bike commuters, but the city is only beginning to take biking seriously. Mayor Thomas Menino has started to promote bike riding and safety in the city. He’s even appointed a ‘biking czar’ to direct the efforts to make Boston a better biking city.
I know some lifelong bike commuters here who are now in their 40s and 50s. But today, lots of older people who have not been on a bike since childhood are buying bikes and riding them. Enterprising biking organizations have begun to offer lessons to help new riders get up to speed. Some workplaces are offering bike racks and a place to shower. Here is a guide for new bike riders and here are some tips for bicycling in traffic. Here is an extensive online Bicycling Street Smarts tutorial.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I like the idea of bikes – although the accompanying heart attack might not be much fun. Seriously though… so much better than the expensive maintenance of cars. Bike: no insurance payments, no gas, no expensive breakdowns. Cheap. Easy.
Yes, good idea!
July 24th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I haven’t seen that many more bikes (too dangerous around where I live and distances too far), but the number of motorcycles have really increased tremendously!
July 25th, 2008 at 12:23 am
About thirty years ago I used to bike around that well known university city just over the river. People shouted at me from their cars and I had to carry around a lock about as heavy as the bike. I hope it has got better.
Meanwhile the UK Tory Party Leader, famous for biking to work followed by an official car carrying his briefcase, has had his bicycle stolen outside the local supermarket.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:19 am
A friend who bikes is visiting here now, and I am seeing how much more interesting life is for her on a bike than it is for me in a car. If I can convince myself that it is safe enough for me, I might take it up. But we have some crazy drivers here and no real bike lanes.
Like Emily, I’ve seen lots more motorcycles here, but we don’t have a helmet law, so I’m afraid we’re going to see more fatalities on the road.
July 25th, 2008 at 7:44 am
This morning I came across a large group of bikers being escorted by police officers on bikes. I think this is an effort to get drivers used to seeing bikes on the road. I think the city of Boston sponsored it.
July 25th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
The same thing is happening in Austin. I see MANY more commuters on bikes. I confess to still being pretty nervous about getting on my two wheels in the traffic since I live central. Not to mention, with temperatures topping 100 degrees, you can’t bike anywhere you have to look decent when you get there. I can only suppose many workplaces have showers where people can tidy up.
The big thing here is SCOOTERS!! I would love to have a cute little Crest toothpaste colored Vespa-like scooter
Doesn’t solve the sweaty issue, but at least you can get a breeze going 
July 25th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Oh, scooters are a good idea. We have some here, not too many. Austin, I would guess, is way ahead on the alternative transporation front (bikes, etc.).