Handouts
These are the handouts we give to our students when they learn to ride with us:
For adults:
- Advice to New Adult Grads
- Buying an Adult Bike
- Riding on the Bike Path
For kids:
- Advice to New Kid Grads
- Buying a Kid's Bike
- Riding on the Bike Path
For adults:
- Advice to New Adult Grads
- Buying an Adult Bike
- Riding on the Bike Path
For kids:
- Advice to New Kid Grads
- Buying a Kid's Bike
- Riding on the Bike Path
Maps & Bike Paths
New England has a wide variety of bike paths and trails to explore. For new riders, we recommend sticking to paved paths instead of mountain bike or gravel trails.
This map details a variety of bike infrastructure in Massachusetts - you'll want to filter for the type of infrastructure you want - probably "Paved Paths". This website provides path descriptions. You can also get printed maps and books at your local bike shop. Be prepared for changing conditions and only do what you're comfortable with!
Safely Riding With Traffic
Riding on the street with cars, other bikes, buses, and pedestrians is a much different experience than riding on a bike path. We offer a class to learn about safely riding on the street, but here are some additional video resources:
Learning to Ride at the Bicycle Riding School - A video by us about how to learn to ride a bike! Start at 28:51 for the sections about street riding.
Shifting Gears: Bicyclists & Public Safety - This 11 minute video was made by Boston Police and MassBike to educate law enforcement officers on bicycle laws. It's helpful for learning bike laws and some common issues.
Enjoy the Ride - Essential Bicycling Skills - Instructional video from the League of American Cyclists.
Bicycle Safer Journey (HS) - This 5 minute video was made for high school students. It's concise and gets some points across really simply and clearly.
Bicycle Safer Journey (ES) - This 5 minute educational video is perfect for elementary school students!
Massachusetts Bike Laws - read about the laws that relate to biking in Massachusetts.
All About Safety Guide - including what to do if you are involved in an accident.
Steering Tip for New Riders - video showing why you have to steer a bit the other way before making a turn.
Traffic Smarts for Cyclists A great resource for people venturing out onto the road for the first time, as well as experienced riders.
Bike Shops & Repair
We recommend that you find a bike shop that is local to you and get to know them for all of your bike shopping and repaid needs.
All bike shops fix bikes, of course, but here are a couple places to fix your own bike:
The Somerville Bike Kitchen is a cooperative space for fixing your bike and learning about bikes.
Broadway Bicycle School in Cambridge is a commercial space for fixing your bike and learning about fixing bikes.
Commonwheels, a DIY bike collective in Allston, offers classes and open shop.
The Boston Cyclists Union in Roxbury also offers classes and open shop.
All bike shops fix bikes, of course, but here are a couple places to fix your own bike:
The Somerville Bike Kitchen is a cooperative space for fixing your bike and learning about bikes.
Broadway Bicycle School in Cambridge is a commercial space for fixing your bike and learning about fixing bikes.
Commonwheels, a DIY bike collective in Allston, offers classes and open shop.
The Boston Cyclists Union in Roxbury also offers classes and open shop.
Cycling Groups and Advocates
Photo courtesy of MassBike
MassBike is the statewide advocacy and education group for bicycling in Massachusetts. They organize events and work with officials to make roadways more bike friendly, as well as work with towns to provide bike safety education. Their office is downtown at 171 Milk St. #33, Boston, MA 02109 and phone is (617) 542-BIKE.
The Boston Cyclists Union is an advocacy group with a focus on equity that works to improve bicycling in greater Boston through a variety of advocacy activities, events, and programs. They are definitely a good resource - sign up for their newsletter and/or follow them on Facebook.
Boston Bike Party is a group that does casual monthly group bike rides (usually with hundreds of people) in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, just for fun.
The Charles River Wheelmen organize somewhat competitive group rides across eastern Massachusetts.
East Coast Greenway Alliance in Durham, NH, works to connect bike paths all along the East Coast.
Center for Cycling Education online courses and resources for cyclists in the US and Canada.
Many cities have bicycle programs providing information about getting around by bike and a Bicycle Committee:
MassBike can tell you about your town, if you live somewhere else.
If you have ideas or concerns, you can contact your town's bicycle program.
If you're outside Massachusetts but still in the US, check out the League of American Bicyclists to get connected with bicycle advocacy groups or government officials in your area.
MassBike is the statewide advocacy and education group for bicycling in Massachusetts. They organize events and work with officials to make roadways more bike friendly, as well as work with towns to provide bike safety education. Their office is downtown at 171 Milk St. #33, Boston, MA 02109 and phone is (617) 542-BIKE.
The Boston Cyclists Union is an advocacy group with a focus on equity that works to improve bicycling in greater Boston through a variety of advocacy activities, events, and programs. They are definitely a good resource - sign up for their newsletter and/or follow them on Facebook.
Boston Bike Party is a group that does casual monthly group bike rides (usually with hundreds of people) in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, just for fun.
The Charles River Wheelmen organize somewhat competitive group rides across eastern Massachusetts.
East Coast Greenway Alliance in Durham, NH, works to connect bike paths all along the East Coast.
Center for Cycling Education online courses and resources for cyclists in the US and Canada.
Many cities have bicycle programs providing information about getting around by bike and a Bicycle Committee:
- Somerville Transportation Dept., send questions to: [email protected] .
- Cambridge Transportation Dept.
- Boston Transportation Dept.
MassBike can tell you about your town, if you live somewhere else.
If you have ideas or concerns, you can contact your town's bicycle program.
If you're outside Massachusetts but still in the US, check out the League of American Bicyclists to get connected with bicycle advocacy groups or government officials in your area.
Equipment
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The Tow Monster adds incredible cargo capacity to your bike. It bolts on to the side of the rear rack of a conventional bike, an e-bike, a front loader cargo bike, and more. It makes it super quick, easy, and secure to tow most children’s bikes (from 12” to 24” wheel size) or to attach large cargo to the back of your bike with its special anchoring system.
The Tow Monster can be purchased for one side or in a pair with one for each side. Additional cargo straps are available for order as well. It is made of marine plywood with a spar urethane finish in Somerville, MA, by local people who love bicycling. Please note, if you use a rear child seat, have a rear trailer, or have a bike with a rear derailleur, please contact us about compatibility before placing an order. Important: this product is not for towing a bike that has a rider or for carrying people or animals. For more information and to order the Tow Monster, visit the Schleptastic website. Also on Facebook. If you live near Porter Square in Somerville or Roslindale Village, you can borrow a Tow Monster to try it out during your daily routines from the Camberville E-Bike Lending Library. |