Wednesday, August 31, 2011

First Ride in Boston

So brought my bike down on the Downeaster from Dover today, yes you can do that with a full bike, but not technically ;) It helps to be a monthly pass holder and know the conductors.

Anyway got off at north station, answered a woman's question about bikes on commuter rail, informed her I used Amtrak but that reverse commutes during rush hour allowed bikes, and it is just a short period in the morning and evening that don't and that weekends are good.

I rode on the sidewalk for the longest distance I can remember since a child. I don't normally use the sidewalk, but when the alternative is to do battle with 5 lanes of traffic on what is effectively a high speed highway with traffic lights that connects North Station over into East Cambridge, I will choose the sidewalk every time even if there are sharrows on the road.

I was not the only one, although there were a number of brave soles on the road itself as well.

Ride to First and down the pre-painted bike lanes to Broadway and into the City Hall Annex of Cambridge (my current work)

Bike is living overnight in the bike room as I start my full move tomorrow.

3 comments:

  1. We have few restrictions on bikes etc on trains here, most have a large bike/stroller/wheelchair gap, and some allow you to reserve space for your bike.
    From experience in the UK it depends on the train operating company and mood of the conductor.

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  2. Thankfully it's not a major problem to transport my bike by public transport here, although the Xtracycle is a bit massive when we use the Ü-bahn/LRT trains.

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  3. We have less problems with bikes on public transport in Germany: 80% of the time you can take your bike on trains and off peak on trams too. Mind you getting an Xtracycle into a tram is a bit tight.

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