2019 bike program series, investments in bike infrastructure announced

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Transportation Department today announced the 2019 Bike Program Series, a full calendar of programming that spans from May - October 2019. The City will kick off its event series with Boston's National Bike to Work Day Festival on Friday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on City Hall Plaza. Fun, on-bike opportunities will continue through mid-October, including the 15th Annual Hub On Wheels Boston Bike Ride in September.

"It's great to see so many people enjoying a healthy bike ride to get to their destinations in the City," said Mayor Walsh. "With our continued investments to establish a safe and connected network of bike lanes, the expansion of our Bluebikes bike share program, and the organization of clinics, public rides and events, we are working to ensure that Boston's streets are safe and welcoming to the City's cyclists."

Mayor Walsh's  FY20 budget proposal includes a total of $10.6 million for spending on bike infrastructure, including more than $1 million in new funding going towards accelerating the design and construction of major bike corridors. The City's FY20-24 $2.78 billion Capital Plan earmarks $1.15 billion to implement the core initiatives outlined in Go Boston 2030, the City's transportation plan. Specific bike projects that will be advanced include the Southwest Corridor Extension, an on-street bike connection between the Southwest Corridor Path, Downtown and Beacon Hill; and Massachusetts Avenue between Columbia Road and Harrison Avenue.

Prior investments have advanced multiple bike lane projects that are now completed, under construction, or in design, including the South Bay Harbor Trail, Summer Street in Fort Point, Brookline Avenue in the Longwood Medical Center, and parts of Cambridge Street in Allston.

Boston's 2019 Bike Program Series includes the following events:

Boston's National Bike to Work Day Festival is the City's annual springtime celebration of bicycling. People on their way to the festival can join one of a dozen bike convoys at stops all across the Boston area, or ride over on their own. Registration, a map of the convoy routes, and other event details can be found at boston.gov/bike-to-work-day.

The "Basic Skills" clinics are for people who have never ridden a bike before, haven't been on a bike for years, or can ride a little but need to build basic skills like starting, stopping, turning and hand signaling. "Intro to Street Skills" clinics are for people who have the basics down but want to build their confidence riding on the street. Pre-registration is required for all clinics. Bikes and helmets are provided upon request.

The Boston Transportation Department is planning a series of neighborhood bike rides this summer, starting and ending at Bluebikes stations so people who don't have a bike can join in the fun. Helmets and a free Bluebikes trip will be provided to those who register in advance. More information about these rides will be posted on boston.gov/bikes.

The 15th Annual Hub On Wheels Boston Bike Ride, presented by EF Education First, will take place on Sunday, September 15, 2019. Two routes will be offered: a 12-mile tour of downtown and a 45-mile exploration of the Emerald Necklace and Boston's neighborhoods. This year's ride, benefiting Boston Children's Hospital, will be capped at 5,000 participants. Pre-registration is available now at hubonwheels.com.

For more information on Boston's bike programs, please visit the Boston Bikes website.