On Thursday October, 29 a group of Dorchester resident cyclists met upstairs at Dorchester Brewery for organizing, activism, fellowship, food, beer, and conversation. We had an awesome social with an incredible turn out of so many passionate cyclist from all over Dorchester in attendance. We discussed all sorts of things, from who we want to be as a group, what changes we want to see in our infrastructure, and how we want to advocate for change moving forward. The resounding message was clear, Dorchester’s roads need safety improvements, and it can’t wait.
Inspired and revitalized by Dot resident Fabio Salvioni, DotBike is most assuredly BACK as 22 DotBikers gathered. Thank you to supporters from Boston Cyclist Union, RozzyBike, and other cyclists from around Boston, Cambridge and Somerville who turned out along with long-time and recent Dorchester residents.
There was a wide-ranging discussion of what DotBike’s goals, objectives, and methodologies should be. We are fortunate to have the support and guidance from experienced cycling and street safety advocates We discussed a variety of objectives (in no particular order):
- Advocating for more neighborhood bike racks to encourage cycling for errands
- Creating a priorty list of troublesome intersections
- Reprogramming traffic signals with leading pedestrian intervals
- Neighborways -“people first, cars second” pedestrian and cycleway networks off the main thoroughfares, leading to destinations, such as Somerville has been adding
- Protected bike lanes
Types of action discussed (In no particular order)
- Direct street action
- Tactical urbanism
- Public political pressure
- Quiet backroom politicking
We are so excited to bring together so many passionate cyclist and can’t wait to see what we accomplish together!
This Thursday there will be at City Council hearing on connected Bicycle Networks at 2pm at City Hall. Dot Bike will be there to speak on the need for better access into and out of Dorchester. For mid-November, we’re planning a Dorchester “cafe ride” beginning on the Harbor Walk, and down the Neponset River Greenway with a coffee & snack stop at a local business. Watch our events calendar for more details, and for ongoing upcoming rides, social events. and activism activities!
Let us know in the comments and email replies about your road safety and social ride priorities. YOU make DotBike!
