By Ron Thaniel
May 24, 2010

Past Conference of Mayors President and Chair of the Conference's Bicycling Task Force Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Bikes corporate partner TD Bank on May 17 kicked off Boston Bike Week, announcing continued improvements to make Boston a safer place to cycle.

Menino and more than 100 area cyclists celebrated with a two-mile ride from city hall to the city's newest bike lane on Commonwealth Avenue in the Back Bay. Boston Bike Week runs May 17-21 in concert with National Bike Week and includes several cycling events across the city.

“We continue to make progress in making Boston a safer place for cyclists. These new bike lanes, along with other improvements and conveniences, will allow all Boston residents and visitors to enjoy safe passage through our beautiful city, as well as encouraging a healthy lifestyle,” said Menino. “Boston is well on its way to becoming a world class cycling city thanks to the support of local companies and partners like TD Bank.”

Menino and TD Bank executives will also unveil the first of several new convenient bike racks that feature the Boston Bikes logo. The artistic racks will be part of the more than 250 new ones to be installed throughout the city in 2010. Improvements since the Boston Bike program was launched two years ago include the installation of 15 miles of bike lanes with another 20 slated for this year, the publication of the first-ever Boston Bikes map, the installation of more than 500 bike racks and the formation of the Boston Bikes Advisory Group. The mayor also hosted the city's first Bicycling Safety Summit this year, which pledged greater enforcement of traffic laws and encouraged shared respect on the roads among drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The multi-year civic partnership with TD Bank provides funding for many of the city's year round cycling and healthy living initiatives, including the recent launch of a new website (www.bostonbikes.org) that features information on all Boston Bikes events and an extensive resource guide for local cyclists and commuters.

Additional cycling events this year include Summertime Bike Fridays (June 25, July 30, August 27) and the TD Bank Boston Cycling Celebration on Sunday, September 26, featuring the 2nd Annual TD Bank Mayor's Cup Pro Race, 6th Annual Hub On Wheels Citywide Ride and Boloco Block Party. Cyclists of all ages interested in participating in this year's Hub On Wheels ride, can register now at www.bostonbikes.org/hubonwheels.

Boston Bikes is part of Menino's vision for a vibrant and healthy city that benefits all its citizens. It seeks to make Boston a world-class bicycling city by creating safe and inviting conditions for all residents and visitors. Formed in September 2007 and led by former Olympic cyclist Nicole Freedman, Boston Bikes focuses on improvements in all five universal bike planning areas, including Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Encouragement and Evaluation. For more information on Boston Bikes, please visit www.bostonbikes.org. For additional information on the TD Bank Mayor's Cup, fans can visit http://www.bostonbikes.org/mayorscup. To register or learn more about Hub On Wheels, please visit http://www.bostonbikes.org/hubonwheels.