MassBike

Massachusetts Bike Week 2005
Saturday, May 14 through
Sunday, May 22

TMA BikeWeek 2005
Bike Week is part of Bike Month, a national event to celebrate and encourage bicycling.

All events are tentative!

Email Doug Mink your Massachusetts Bike Week (or Bike Month) events as soon as you have them scheduled.

Check out local event calendars for Cambridge, Metro Boston, Metrowest, and the Pioneer Valley.


See the pages for previous bike weeks for ideas:
[1995] [1996] [1997] [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004]


Before Bike Week:

National Mayor's Bike Ride
Tuesday, May 3
Boston City Hall
4:30 pm
We will all meet at 4:30 PM in Boston City Hall Plaza.
Those who wish to ride into the Plaza together should meet at 4:10 at the corner of Park St. and Tremont -- just at the entrance to the Park St. MBTA station. At about 4:15 we will cross Tremont, ride down Winter Street, go left on Washington (both streets are closed to traffic), then continue with traffic on Washington, go left on Court St. and then glide into City Hall Plaza.

Starting at 4:30, Steve Miller will officially welcome everyone. Vineet Gupta, Director of Policy & Planning for the city Transportation Dept. will present the proclamation issued by Mayor Menino. Representatives of MassBike, Bikes Not Bombs, and other groups will have a chance to say something, too. At about 4:45 or 4:50 at the latest, we ride out together and go down Tremont St. back to Boston Common where we disperse.

Longwood Bike Nite
Tuesday, May 10
Boston
5:30 - 9:00 pm
Mingle from 5:30-6:00 p.m., and from 6:00-7:30 p.m., talk on "Safe Biking in Massachusetts" by MassBike Executive Director Dorie Clark, followed by an "Urban Biking 2005" panel discussion and Q&A with participants including bike attorney Andrew Fischer and bike shop owner Jeffrey Ferris. The event is free and open to the public, and takes place at Enders Auditorium, Children's Hospital, 320 Longwood Ave. in Boston. The event is sponsored by MassBike, MASCO, and the Sports Medicine Division of Boston's Children's Hospital.
Free Bike Tune-Up
Wednesday, May 11
Boston
7:30 - 9:30 am
ABC TMA Free Bike Tune-up at the Mass. General Hospital Bike Cage. Breakfast sponsored by Espresso Royale Caffe.
Free Bike Tune-Up
Thursday, May 12
Boston
7:30 - 9:30 am
ABC TMA Free Bike Tune-up at the Verizon garage at 125 High St. Donuts provided by teh ABC TMA.

All Week:

Bike to Work Week
Commuter Challenge

Commuter Challenge Web Page
Check with your local Transportation Management Association (TMA) or fill out the forms on the ABC TMA web site (http://www.abctma.com/events_bikeweek.htm) to participate in the Bike to Work Corporate Challenge during Bike Week May 16-20. You have to work in Boston or nearby parts of Cambridge to enter.
Click here for help concerning bike commuting from the League of American Bicyclists.

Saturday, May 14:

Fundraising Breakfast
7:30 - 11:00 am
Easthampton
Fundraising Breakfast at the Manhan Rail Trail
For info, call Liz Sturgen 413-527-6230.
Very Long Ride
?
Westfield
300 km road ride.
For info, call Don Podolski at 413-562-5237.
Parkman Drive Cleanup
9:00 am - noon
Jamaica Plain
Francis Parkman Drive, a useful bike route around Jamaica Pond, will be closed from 9am to 12pm on Saturday May 14 for a cleanup of the surrounding parkland. Meet at 9:00am on the Francis Parkman Drive side next to the William F. Kelly Circle (just south of Jamaica Pond). DCR will provide all needed tools and the City of Boston has promised to provide anything DCR won't. Dunkin Donuts has promised to donate donuts and coffee for all volunteers.
Milton Bike Day
9:00 am - ?
Milton
Celebrate the beginning of Bike Week with this event in Cunningham Park. Proceeds will benefit the Milton Rotary Club Scholarship program. Click here for more information and registration form.
Public Races:
9:00 AM - Children 8-12 1.5 miles (Course A 1 time)
9:30 AM - Teenagers 13-17 12 miles (Course B 4 times)
10:00 PM - Women 18-54 and Seniors 55+ 12 miles (Course B 4 times)
11:00 AM - Men 18-54 24 miles (Course B 8 times)

10:00 am: Public Ride: Start at Cunningham Park and go "off the beaten path" around Milton. Trail condition permitting, the ride will feature off-pavement portions along Pope's Pond and the new recreation path along Pine Tree Brook.
Bicycle Parade: Decoration of children's bikes begins at 8:30 am.
Race entry fee of $20 for adults, $10 for 13-18, 12 under free. Registration opens one hour before the start of the each race or ride and closes ten minutes before the start of each event. The first 120 registered participants will receive free official bicycle socks. Official t-shirts available for an additional $10.

Cochituate Trail Cleanup
Framingham
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham on the north side of the MassPike. Walk north and across OCP to the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation. Join the NPBAC and the FCRTC for a day of clearing and clean-up on our regional Cochituate Rail Trail! Arrive in the morning or afternoon. Work for an hour and get a free CRT-shirt. Free pizza lunch at noon.

Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely helpful. Work gloves, long sleeves and long pants are recommended.

Bike Rodeo
Greenfield
9:30 - 11:30 am
At the Greenfield Middle School
For info, call Deb Schilling at 513-665-0156.
Spy Pond Trails Weekend
Arlington
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Volunteer work crews will be restoring the paved path on the Route 2 side of Spy Pond. Additional volunteers are needed.
Wake Up the Earth
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Jamaica Plain
The Wake Up The Earth festival begins with a march from Curtis Hall at 11:00 and activities throughout the day in the Southwest Corridor park south of the Stony Brook T station and along Lamartine Ave.

The Wake Up the Earth Festival began in 1979 when a group of local neighbors and activist banded together to stop the I-95 expansion into Jamaica Plain. The festival began as, and still is, a celebration of what can be accomplished when people of all traditions, cultures, ages, and beliefs come together. A great many individuals, local artists, community groups, and schools join forces every year to make a unique community collaboration. Recent festivals have included an enchanted puppet forest, sideshows, live bands, dancers, acoustic performers and a giant pageant.


Sunday, May 15:

Charles River Wheelmen
Spring Century

8:00 am
Wakefield
Join The Charles River Wheelmen on one of four beautiful routes on slightly rolling rural roads through the Merrimack Valley of northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. The 100 mile ride will take you through Exeter and Hampton Falls, NH. The other routes travel through such towns as Boxford, Groveland and Topsfield. All routes pass through the Harold Parker State Forest.
  • 8:00: 100 miles (Full Century)
  • 9:30: 62 & 50 miles (Metric & Half Century)
  • 10:30: 25 miles (Quarter Century)
Pregistration: $10.00 ($8.00 for CRW members)
Day of Event registration: $15.00 ($12.00 for CRW members)
Bikes Not Bombs
18th Annual Bike-A-Thon

Roxbury
Bikes-Not-Bombs biggest fundraiser, and one of their most fun and social events. BNB is also the place to donate your extra bike, or pick up an inexpensive city beater bicycle. All three rides begin in Jamaica Plain at Jamaica Pond and end at Mississippi's Restaurant in Mission Hill. To ride, you have to collect pledges, $80 for adults, $40 for youth. Check the web site for more info: http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/bat-2005.htm.
Spy Pond Trails Weekend
Arlington
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Volunteer work crews will be restoring the paved path on the Route 2 side of Spy Pond. Additional volunteers are needed.
Dudley Road Ride
Bedford
9:45 am
Bike Rides for Ordinary People is leading a 19-mile ride over flat and gently rolling terrain leaving from the Bedford end of the Minuteman Bike Path (opposite Bikeway Source) through Arlington, Lexington, Bedford, Billerica, Carlisle. There will be an ice cream stop at Great Brook Farm,and there is a map on the web site.
Helmets are required, and a steady rain will cancel the ride.
Neponset Trail Tour
Boston
10:00 am
Meet at 10:00 am for a ride up and down the Neponset Trail with a group from Bike to the Sea, led by Neponset Greenway Council member Doug Mink. We hope to finish at around 1:00 pm.
Charles River Road Ride
Natick
3:00 pm
Meet across from Bacon Free Library in South Natick for a moderately-paced 7-mile road ride along both sides of the Charles River in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover. For further information, contact Martin Kessel at 508-653-5083 or email him.

Monday, May 16:

Bike Commuter Breakfast
7:30 - 9:00 am
West Springfield
Breakfast at City Hall
For info, call Sabine Prather at 413-781-6045.
University Park
Bike Commuter Breakfast

7:30 - 9:00 am
Cambridge
On Mass. Ave. at Sidney Street, the Charles River Transportation Management Association will sponsor a bicycle commuter breakfast in University Park, near Central Square. Cyclists will show their helmets to get breakfast.
Contact Jim Gascoigne at 617-324-6119 or email him.
10th Annual Bike Valet Party
5:00 - 10:00 pm
Davis Square, Somerville
Redbones, 55 Chester St., Davis Square, Somerville, MA
$15.00 gets you bike valet parking, a Redbones sandwich and sides (vegetarian available), a beverage and two raffle tickets. Proceeds benefit MassBike and NEMBA. There is more info on the Redbones web site.
Bike Clinic
7:00-8:00 pm
Natick
Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic at Landry's Bicycles, Route 9 eastbound.
Fix a flat. Easy adjustments. Learn how from the experts! 20 seats available. Reserve your seat by email him. e-mailing your name and phone number.

Tuesday, May 17:

Pancake Breakfast
7:30 - 9:30 am
Cambridge
Broadway Bicycle School, 351 Broadway, Cambridge
Meet your fellow bicycle commuters over free coffee and pancakes.
See the faces behind some of the names you see on the Internet.
Bike Ride
6:00 pm
Westfield
Evening bike ride from New Horizons Sports.
For info, call Don Podolski at 413-562-5237.
Easy Bike Ride
7:00 pm
Natick
Meet at Pegan Cove Park parking lot, on Washington Avenue for an easy bike ride on trails and roads in downtown Natick. We'll visit Pegan Cove Park on Lake Cochituate, and Middlesex Path (on the Underground Railroad!), and, maybe, Old Dell Park Cemetery and Fisk Pond.
Led by Dick Miller (508/653-6136, or email him.

Wednesday, May 18:

Bike Commuter Breakfast
7:00 - 10:00 am
Northampton
Breakfast on the Couthouse lawn
For info, call Ruthy Woodring at 413-586-8591
Bike Commuter Breakfast
7:30 - 9:30 am
Chicopee
Breakfast at Mickey's Bike Shop 7:30-9:30AM
For info, call Hank Herchel at 413-592-4282
Bike Commuter Breakfast
7:30 - 9:00 am
Westfield
Breakfast at New Horizons Sports
For info, call Don Podolski at 413-562-5237
Harvard Square
Bike Commuter Breakfast

7:30 - 9:30 am
Cambridge
In front of the Au Bon Pain in Harvard Square, Harvard University will host a bicycle commuter breakfast. Present your bike helmet and have a yummy breakfast alongside your fellow bicycle commuters. As added attractions, Quad Bikes will be performing bicycle "safety checks" in front of Lehman Hall, and free bicycle registrations will be conducted by the Harvard University Police Department.
Contact Holly Bogle - 617-496-5354 or email her.
Bike/Walk to Work Day
6:30-9:30 am
Falmouth
People are encouraged to leave their automobiles home and either walk or bike to work today (or May 19 if it's raining). Kiosks will be set up at three locations: the Trunk River Parking Lot on the Shining Sea Bikeway, Peg Noonan Park on Main Street, and Fieldcrest Farm on the corner of Old Palmer Ave. and Sippewissett Road from 6:30 am to 9:30 am. At each station, food and drinks will be provided to participants, helmet checks will be available, and many prizes will be distributed to participants. A corporate competition will be organized to encourage employers to promote cycling or walking to work. There will also be a special prize drawing for those who try walking or cycling to work for the first time. Anyone who provides thir name and commuting mileage at the kiosks OR at the website is eligible for prize drawings and the corporate competition.
Road Ride
5:45 pm
Natick
Meet at Landry's Bicycles, Route 9 eastbound for a 15-plus mile road ride in Natick, 16 mph average speed, led by Cory Lovett.
Bike Ride
6:00 pm
Westfield
Evening bike ride from New Horizons Sports.
For info, call Don Podolski at 413-562-5237.
Ride of Silence
7:00 pm
Northampton
For info, call Ruthy Woodring at 413-586-8591

Thursday, May 19:

Bike Commuter Breakfast
7:00 - 9:00 am
Hadley
Breakfast at Valley Bicycles trailside, on the Norwottuck Rail Trail
For info, call Dorothy Baumann at 413-586-9932.
Bike Commuter Breakfast
7:00 - 9:00 am
Holyoke
Breakfast at City Hall
For info, call Sharon K. at 413-322-5575
Bike Commuter Breakfast
7:00 - 9:00 am
Springfield
Breakfast at the YMCA at Liberty and Chestnut
For info, call Jonathon Moss at 413-794-8865
Back Bay
Bike Commuter Breakfast

7:30 - 9:30 am
Boston
Breakfast on the Boylston St. Plaza of the Prudential Center, sponsored by the Back Bay TMA. Sponsored by Espresso Royale Caffe.
Kendall Square
Bike Commuter Breakfast

7:30 - 9:30 am
Cambridge
In the park between Six Cambridge Center (Marriott Residence Inn) and Eight Cambridge Center (Cambridge Technology Partners) in Kendall Square, the Charles River Transportation Management Association will sponsor a bicycle commuter breakfast. Cyclists will show their helmets to get breakfast.
Contact Jim Gascoigne at 617-324-6119 or email him.
Bike Commuter Lunch
Noon - 2:00 pm
Greenfield
Lunch at Bicycle World
For info, call Alden Booth at 413-773-0333.
Bike Movie
7:00 pm
Somerville
Off Road to Athens, a documentary about the 2004 U.S. Olympic Mountain Bike Team will be shown at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square. Tickets are $8 advance from www.offroadtoathens.com, or $10 at the door. Director Jason Berry will be in attendance before each show. (also showing on Friday night)

Friday, May 20:

Bicycle Commuter Appreciation
Cambridge
7:30-9:00 am
As part of National Bike to Work Day, the Cambridge Bicycle Committee and the City of Cambridge will be thanking commuters who bike to work by presenting them with a small giveaway. Members of the Bicycle Committee will be stationed at Kendall Square, Central Square, Harvard Square, and Alewife/Minuteman Bikeway to catch cyclists on their way to work and give them their gift
Contact Stephanie Anderberg at 617-349-4671 email her.
Bike Commuter Breakfast
7:30 - 9:30 am
Amherst
Breakfast on Town Common North
For info, call Meryl Mandel, MassHighway, at 413-584-1611 X251
Bike Program Training
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hadley
Training for Accessible Cycling Programs at Valley Bicycles Trailside on the Norwottuck Rail Trail.
For info, call Megan Briggs at 413-527-8980
Bike Movie
7:00 pm
Somerville
Off Road to Athens, a documentary about the 2004 U.S. Olympic Mountain Bike Team will be shown at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square. Tickets are $8 advance from www.offroadtoathens.com, or $10 at the door. Director Jason Berry will be in attendance before each show. (also showing on Thursday night)

Saturday, May 21:

Birding and Biking
Norwottuck Rail Trail
8:00 am - noon
For info, call Megan Briggs at 413-527-8980
Bike Rodeo
Montague
9:00-11:30 am
At the Sheffield School
For info, call Deb Schilling at 413-665-0156
Tour of Historic
Cambridge and
Somerville

10:15 am
This bicycle tour of Cambridge and Somerville with a history theme departs from Cambridge Common at 10:30 am. Please arrive by 10:15 for orientation. It will be an easy 9-mile ride with stops for historical commentary, with refreshments at the ride's midpoint behind the Davis Square T station at around 11:30 am and end at the former Somerville Police Station on Bow Street around 1:00 pm
Click here for a map of the route, a history pamphlet, rain date announcements, and more information.

Rain date May 22, same departure time.

Bike Rodeo
Deerfield
noon - 1:30 pm
At the Deerfield Municipal Bldg.
For info, call Deb Schilling at 413-665-0156
Bike Movies
Northampton
2:30 pm
At the Forbes Library

Sunday, May 22:

Hills of Boston
Franklin Park
Boston

9:30 am
Meet at the rear ("Giraffe") entrance to Franklin Park Zoo for a 15-20 mile ride through the hills of Boston. Sponsored by the Boston Bicycle Festival, in collaboration with the Boston Public Health Commission's STEPS program and the Charles River Wheelmen.
BIKE-Arlington Tour
Arlington

9:30 am
Meet at Hurd Field parking lot, off of Drake Road (behind Trader Joe's) in Arlington Heights for a family-friendly bicycle tour will pass on both the Minuteman Bikeway and local roadways, featuring scenic rest stops at Cooke's Hollow, Mill Brook, Meadowbrook Park, and Alewife Brook Reservation. The bicycle tour will cover about 8 miles and last a few hours. The tour is free of charge, and all participants will be responsible for their own safety. Bicycle helmets are required. Bring something to drink. Steady rain will cancel.

For more information, see the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee website.

Bike Rodeo
Boston
1:00 - 3:00 pm In Franklin Park on the Playstead (near White Stadium), with free helmets and bicycle obstacle course - sponsored by the Boston Public Health Commission and EMS.

After Bike Week


Monday, May 23:

Town Hall Forum
Natick
7:15-9:00 pm
"Exploring Resources: Alternative Transportation for Natick"
A Legislative Forum, hosted by the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Bring your friends, bring your groups, share your ideas for alternative transportation.

Wednesday, May 25:

Bike Week Bash
Boston
5:00-7:00 pm
Celebrate the end of Bike Week and find out who won the Commuter Challenge at Kings, 10 Scotia St. in Boston. There will be free food, and a cash bar will be available. Raffle winners will also be chosen at the Bike Week Bash.
Bike the Minuteman Bikeway
Arlington
6:15 pm
Join the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society at the Uncle Sam Statue in Arlington Center (Mass Ave and Mystic St) for a leisurely ride up the beautiful Minuteman Bikeway toward Lexington Green and further, if time allows. After returning to Arlington Center, we'll share dinner and drinks at Kerry's Kitchen BBQ Grill. What is the connection between bicycling and chemistry? Well, bring YOUR ideas on that, but at least one historical anecdote will be revealed!
Light colored clothing, reflective vests and bands, lights and helmets highly recommended!

Please RSVP by May 24, or for more information, email Joe Snodgrass or phone 617 494-0400, ext 235

Thursday, May 26:

Commute a Better Way Day
all day
Cambridge
Cambridge's voluntary car-free day to encourage single occupant vehicle commuters to try a different mode of transportation. Participants will take the "Commute A Better Way pledge", stating that they will try walking, cycling, taking the T, carpooling, or another option, instead of driving to work. Commuters who take the pledge will receive a recognition packet in return. They will also be entered into a drawing to win a FREE copy of "Car-Free in Boston". To take the pledge, send an email, including your name, commute mode choice for May 21, usual commute mode, round trip commute mileage, and mailing address (for the recognition packet).
Contact Stephanie Anderberg at 617-349-4671 or via email.


Here are some good reasons to ride a bike from the League of American Bicyclists.


Send event notices or corrections to Doug Mink.
[MassBike Events] [MassBike]
Past Boston Bike Weeks
[1995] [1996] [1997] [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004]