Bicycles are efficient, economical and environmentally friendly. Bikes are for everyday transportation as well as healthy recreation. With safe cycling infrastructure and better roadway design, Massachusetts can move people around more easily, with benefits to our health, our economy and our climate.

During Bike Week, many organizations celebrate cycling and highlight events, routes and investments to improve Bay State bicycling. We are pleased to share these events, and other efforts to make Massachusetts safer for cycling, including legislation and capital investments.

On the legislative side, An act to reduce traffic fatalities will help make our roads safer for all users if it is enacted. This legislation is now in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Key provisions include... 

• Sideguards on state-owned and state-contracted trucks
• Lowers default speed limits in thickly settled and business districts to 25mph.
• Requires development of a standard reporting tool by first responders in case of crashes or incidents involving cyclists or pedestrians
• Requires bicyclists to use both a rear red light and red reflector when riding at night.
• Requires motor vehicles to yield to bicyclists at an intersection of a bicycle path and a road, so long as the crossing is marked in accordance with MassDOT standards.

Among state investments, the recently filed Environmental Bond Bill includes a $25 million Mass Trails authorization included by the Governor to facilitate a better partnership with municipalities and others who help create a network of trail projects. Funds could be used for early and middle stage planning and project design, which are costs that many cities and towns cannot afford. This authorization would advance the development of trails all across the state.

The Capital Investment Plan and Complete Streets programs are other important vehicles for safer cycling, with the updated Statewide Bike Plan coming soon.

There are many exciting Bike Week events. Here's a quick rundown on what's happening. Get in touch if you have suggestions!

• MassBike provides a statewide clearinghouse of Bike Week events.
• State and local officials will cut ribbons at the extension of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Acton on Friday, May 11 and at the Neponset River Greenway in Mattapan with Governor Baker on a date to be scheduled (postponed because of forecast rain on May 12.)
• Livable Streets Alliance has a calendar of events with great opportunities for volunteers to engage on bike advocacy, and is co-sponsoring a Roxbury to Fenway Connector Event on May 19. Download flyer
• Boston Cyclists Union Executive Director Becca Wolfson and Livable Streets ED Stacy Thompson co-host the Bike Talk Social Hour on May 16.
• The Franklin Regional Council of Governments hosts its 6th annual Bike Breakfast, May 15 at the Olver Transportation Center.
• The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is promoting many events in the region. Download flyer
• The Southeast Planning and Economic Development District is co-sponsoring a ride on the South Coast Bikeway on Saturday, May 12. Download flyer
• The Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the City of Malden are co-sponsoring a LandLine ride on Wednesday morning, May 16. Register here. You can bring a bike, or rent a LimeBike. (Learn more about the LandLine project.)
• The Old Colony Planning Council is co-sponsoring the Brockton Bike to Work Day event on May 18. Download flyer
• MASCO in the Longwood Medical Area has a rundown of Bike Week events.
• The Coastal Trails Coalition is working with the Salisbury DPW to fix up the Salisbury Ghost Trail on Wednesday morning, May 16. Email [email protected] for more information.

Safe riding!