News & Updates
Winter Bike Commuter Bingo
Do you bike commute year round? If so, the BUCK wants to know about it. But we want it to be fun, too. So, from now until March 31, (when employee and BUGWU bike benefits reciepts are due), we'd love you to join us for a round of winter commuter BINGO! Please take photos and then email the checked off squares or post them to your instagram and tag us @bucyclekitchen. You may fill as many squares as you like, but standard bingo rules apply, that you must have filled at least 5 adjacent horizontal, vertical, or diagonal spaces.
Please get consent if you're capturing photos of others, and try to use a single square per image. At the end of the challenge? Prizes!
This challenge is open to any and all BUCK users. See you soon, and don't forget to check your tire pressure.
pq
Not sure what some of these things are? Here are some of the lesser-known items:
- lobster mitts - gloves that group fingers together (but aren't quite mittens)
- multi-use path - a shared-use path (sometimes just called a bike path)
- desire path - the route folks want to take as evidenced, in the winter, by paths in the snow
- bar mitts - they're like gloves for your handlebars? some folks call them pogies
- winter commuter social - our annual party for bike commuters (at which the bingo game was launched).
- B-icicles - icicles on bicycles (get it?)
Let us know if you need explanation for any of the other items!
Winter Break BUS Schedule
Between 12/20/24 and 1/20/25, the BU Shuttle lines will have the following service changes:
1BU (CRC-BUMC)
- Regular schedule through Friday, 12/20/24
- No service Monday, 12/23/24 through Wednesday, 1/1/25
- Resumes with Summer/Reduced Service Schedule (including Saturday service) from Thursday 1/2/25 through Saturday 1/18/25
- No Service on MLK Day - Monday, 1/20/25
- Resumes with Full Service on Tuesday, 1/21/25
Comm Ave
- Regular schedule through Friday, 12/20/24
- No service Monday, 12/23/24 through Friday, 1/17/25
- No Service on MLK Day - Monday, 1/20/25
- Service resumes on Tuesday, 1/21/25
Fenway
- Regular schedule through Saturday, 12/21/24 at 1PM
- No service Monday, 12/23/24 through Thursday, 1/16/25
- Service resumes on Friday, 1/17/25
- will run on MLK Day - Monday, 1/20/25
Hyatt
- Regular schedule through Saturday, 12/21/24 at 1PM
- No service Sunday, 12/22/24 through Thursday, 1/16/25
- Service resumes on Friday, 1/17/25
- will run on MLK Day - Monday, 1/20/25
Night
- Regular schedule through Saturday, 12/21/24
- No service Sunday, 12/22/24 through Thursday, 1/16/25
- Service resumes on Friday, 1/17/25
- will run on MLK Day - Monday, 1/20/25
Sign up for the 2024 Bike Benefit
Sign up for the 2024 Bicycle Commuter Reimbursement Benefit before January 12th, 2025.
BU employees and eligible graduate students can receive $25/month (up to $300/year!) reimbursement for bike-related expenses.
Find out more about the benefit here.
December Delight
How did we get here, with 2024 nearly through?! As the first full year of BUCK draws to a close, some stats from our sign in sheet!
total visits to BUCK, not including coffee: 2922
number of flats fixed: over 300
chains serviced: over 250
brakes adjusted: over 200
bikes registered: 987
unique visitors: 1200
Next year, we'll be getting another staff person, as well as having this newsletter show up direct to your inbox. We're hoping that helps you know about events sooner.
In the meantime, it's about to be December at the BUCK!
We're starting the month off with a movie night! This month, trains, murder, snow! No Polar Express here, come much popcorn, drink hot beverages and travel across Europe with Murder on the Orient Express.
Friday 12/6 5:00-7:00PM
Continuing our partnership with Femmemechnics, we bring you Babes Bike Bakeries. This 15 mi, party pace ride will take us to all 9 Flour locations across Boston, starting at the BUCK and ending in Harvard Square. We'll be stopping to take photos at each location to fulfill their winter photo challenge. Participants may pick up a box of pastries in January upon completing the challenge. Riders should be part of the Femmechanics Femme/Trans/Women demographic. Please bring appropriate layers, feel free to peel off any time. Note that we will NOT be going inside every location, so please plan accordingly. Bluebikes passes are available upon request
Saturday 12/7 10:00am Start at BUCK, end in Harvard sq
We have a couple of breaks to offer you from studying, so you can return to your notes with fresh eyes. First, a craft night partnership with Zen Club! Help us use up old chains, valves, and other assorted bike parts by making them over into crafts, jewelry, or decor. Use our supplies or bring some of your own.
Tuesday 12/10 4:00PM-6:00PM
We'll also take a quick mid-day, mid-week bike ride to stretch and get you some caffeine. Start an end a little bike loop at the BUCK and we'll come back and enjoy hot cocoa! Put some air in your tires, too, before you go home for Winter Break.
Thursday 12/12 11:00AM-12:15PM
Mid-month, we're welcoming BU employees for a bike commuter social. There will be food, camaraderie, probably festive libations. Meet other bike commuters and compare tips. Also we'll be debuting a winter commuting challenge, that you can enter for prizes!
Wednesday 12/18 4:00-6:00PM
Finally, keep your eyes peeled for Winter SaSS! Going home or graduating for the Holidays, and leaving your bike behind? We'll be staffing the Buick St bike room to help you keep your bike toasty warm inside while you're gone. Winter SaSS is free of charge, and we will be registering bikes onsite if you haven't done so yet. Best of all, you won't need us to let your bike out when you're ready to ride again. You might want to bring a friend to help with the doors though.
Weekly:
Light Brigade Help us distribute free bike lights on Comm Ave.
Every Tuesday 5:00-7:00PM Sign up: https://bitly.cx/tFizOg
Commuter Coffee Drink free coffee, make friends, talk about bikes
Every Thursday 8:00-10:00AM Now with coffee from Pavement
NOTES:
- Winter hours: the BUCK will be closed Saturdays 11/16 - 3/17
- Employee bike benefits are live! Check your inbox or apply here!
All events are held at the BUCK - 1019 Commonwealth Ave. unless otherwise noted. More details at bu.edu/transportation/buck
Thanksgiving Break Shuttle Service
A Special Thanksgiving Break Service will follow the late night route but will NOT include the Silber Way or Marsh Chapel stops. Service is expected at approximately 20 minute frequency:
- 11/28 Thursday: 9am-9pm
- 11/29 Friday: 9am – 9pm
- 11/30 Saturday: 9am – 9pm
- 12/1 Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Stops include:
- Agganis Way
- Comm Ave @ Amory St
- Park Drive @ Beacon St
- Brookline Ave @ Pilgrim Rd
- Brookline Ave @ Short St
- Danielsen Hall
- 610 Beacon St
- Comm Ave @ Granby Street
- George Sherman Union
- Hyatt Regency
- Buick Street
1BU
Service ends at midnight on Wednesday, November 27. Service will resume on Saturday, November 30 at 6:30am.
Comm Ave Loop
Service ends at 7pm on Wednesday, November 27 and will resume on Monday, December 2 at 7am.
Fenway
Service ends at 10pm on Wednesday, November 27 and will resume on Monday, December 2 at 7am.
Hyatt
Service ends at 10pm on Wednesday, November 27 and will resume on Monday, December 2 at 7am.
Late Night
Service will not operate on Thursday, November 28 or Friday, November 29. Late Night service resumes on Saturday, November 30.
November? No Way!
UPDATES
- The BUCK will be closed on Saturdays until Spring Break. Your patience allows PQ to cook up future programing here at the Cycle Kitchen.
- BUCK will ALSO be closed after this Friday the 22nd, through Monday December 2! That means NO OPEN SHOP next week!
The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, and it's getting dark earlier than ever. Just because fall is FINALLY here doesn't mean biking season is over though. Its more important than ever to keep you chain lubricated to protect it from rain, and fill your tires regularly to prevent flat tires. Hazards like wet train tracks and wet leaves can appear as if out of nowhere, try to navigate around them. Here at the BUCK, we've got some fun things planned before you go home for Thanksgiving! But first! Did you know there have been over 900 sign ins at the BUCK since the beginning of semester? That's a lot of Terriers. Thanks for your patience and visits.
What's on deck this month? If you've indicated interest in volunteering, we need your help more than ever. With Daylight Savings in effect, the sun sets at 5 pm! Help other commuters by distributing lights, Tuesday nights from 5-7pm. Sign up here to help us out!
The Unusual:
- PQ is on vacation the 10th-13th. Please be kind to Carl and assorted volunteers who will be assisting at the BUCK
- As of November 16th, we will not be offering weekend service during the winter. We will reopen on Saturdays after Spring break. Thanks for understanding, and giving us time to better serve you.
- Thursday morning limited hours will terminate at Thanksgiving break
The Usual:
- Tuesday Nights 5:00-7:00PM
LIGHT BRIGADE: help distribute bike lights on Comm Ave. - Thursday Morning 8:00-10:00AM
COMMUTER COFFEE: drink free coffee, make friends
The Events:
11/6 Wednesday 4:00PM-7:00PM
GLOW UP NIGHT
Bring your bike, scooter, mobility aid, or helmet! We're going to decorate them with retro reflective decals. We will also have beads and chain available to make more bike dangles.
11/8 Friday 3:00-3:30PM
BEAN AT THE BUCK
Will she like our treats? Find out!
11/14 Thursday 6:00-7:30PM
BU BRIDGE PUBLIC MEETING
Howard Thurman Center, 808 Comm Ave, Room 205.
Are you concerned about your safety when crossing the BU Bridge by any mode? Come to a public meeting on on the BU campus hosted by the BU Bridge Safety Alliance (hybrid zoom also available). At this meeting you'll hear an outline of the Alliance's original safety recommendations, you'll learn the issues of key stakeholders, and you'll hear directly from DCR, MassDOT and Boston Transportation officials on their current and future plans to improve safety on the BU Bridge Corridor.
11/20 Wednesday 6:00-8:00PM
MOVIE NIGHT
We'll make the popcorn, you show up and relax. Join us this month for a rad Iranian skateboarding film, A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night. This movie comes both PQ and Carl recommended.
11/23/4 Saturday Meet at BUCK at 10:30am
WESTERN AVE BIKE LANE RIDE
The Allston-Brighton Health Collaborative, one of our community partners, leads the way on this month's group ride. Let them show you new local bike lane additions at the end of the month
BUCKtober!
It's been a crazy first month of school here the BUCK! We've seen over 500 of you guys and counting in just the first month you've been back! To everyone who has been gracious and patient while they've been here, and to those of you who came to celebrate our first birthday, a resounding thank you! Next time you're here, grab a pin or a first birthday spoke card. We're so glad you're part of our story.
We're looking forwards seeing more of you in October, and we'll be hosting plenty more events to help you get through midterm season.
This week, we hosted a Used Bike Workshop, since folks are always asking for advice. Wish you'd been there? Come in and pick up the flyer we created with help from the University of British Columbia.
Have you ever had to ride in the dark because of a dead bike light, are you tired of charging your bike lights, or have you ever had your lights stolen? Then come to the BUCK to learn about the basics of dynamo lights, Wednesday, October 9th from 6-7PM! Friend of the BUCK Jason Rosenman will demonstrate a dynamo setup and talk about other kinds of illumination.
Want to help others see and be seen? Come by any Tuesdays from 5-7pm and hand out light on Comm Ave! Sign up for light brigade with friends!
Next Saturday, 10/12, BUCK will be CLOSED in observance of Yom Kippur. Thank you for understanding. Additionally, service will be limited from Wednesday, October 16th to Friday, October 18th, while pq attends a conference.
October is also the month of 1019! On Saturday, 10/19, help us celebrate our home, 1019 Commonwealth Ave. We'll be hosting fun festivities at the BUCK to celebrate, as will the dorm next door, so don't miss out.
Next, Femmechanics will be hosting Grrreasetime! at the BUCK. It's an open shop, open to any women, femme, trans, and non-binary folk. Wednesday, 10/23 from 6-9PM. We'll be partnering with the Faculty and Staff LGBTQIA+ office for this, so look for their swag and great snaxxx.
Our very own work-study, Jerry, is starting a new club for urbanism at BU! The BUrbanists will meet every week of October. Check out their Instagram @burbanists for full meeting information!
Finally, join the BUCK for an adventurous little ride. The Tiny Parks Ride will leave from the BUCK at 10:30AM, Saturday, 10/26, and tour some local green spaces. Bring a warm beverage, as we'll stop to enjoy one of the parks. The ride will be about 10 mi, and move at a party pace. We'll be back at the BUCK to open at 1. The space will be extra busy that day, as we'll be hosting League of American Cyclist's Smart Cycling class. If you're here, say hi to our future local bike instructors.
Coffee? Coffee. Every Thursday. 8-10. Meet other local riders and learn tips and tricks about how to traverse Boston streets.
Whew! Can't wait to see you!
Welcome (Back)!!
Hey There!
Hope you were all able to get outside this summer and enjoy how much drier this year was! Things were steady here at the BUCK all summer, with bike riding lessons, infrastructure improvements and more! See if you can spot the new or newly relocated racks on campus this summer.
We're ramping up for a busy September and can't wait to see you. If you've previously registered your bike or scooter with us, you can apply online for renewed access now, and get into the bike rooms right away. If you got a new bike or scooter over the summer or you're new here, you'll need to come on in to 1019 Comm Ave and get a registration sticker. Don't forget you can also pick up a helmet (optional), lights (required by law!) and bell (ding).
Where can you find us this fall? Well. We'll be tabling at Sustainability Fest. Harvard is having a bike celebration with a group ride leading back here, among other routes.
If you stored your bike with BUCK's SASS all the way back in May, pick up dates are September 6, 7, 13, and 14, from 1-5pm. You can also choose to donate bikes at this time.
We will run A "how to purchase a used bike" class in September, as well bringing back regular Tuesday Night Lights (5-7 p) distribution and continuing Thursday morning Commuter Coffee (8-10a). There are still a few spots remaining in PQ's Intro To Urban Cycling class run through Fit Rec if you're looking to improve your riding skills on and around campus, as well as a Denim Vest ride, part of our continued partnership with Commonwheels. Please check back here for updated dates and times.
Most importantly, you're invited to the BUCK's First Birthday! We'll be celebrating one year of cycling successes on Saturday Sept 28th from 1-5pm! There will be snacks, cake, a photo booth, and more!
Student parking permits available for purchase beginning Monday 8/26
Fall student parking permits will be available for purchase beginning Monday, August 26th at 9:00 a.m. through the Transportation Management Portal.
There are four types of student parking permits available based upon eligibility:
Flex
Commuter
Evening Commuter
Campus Resident
Note:
- If you currently have a Flex Permit and want a Commuter or Evening Commuter Permit, you must first cancel your Flex Permit via the Transportation Management Portal.
- If you currently have a Flex Permit and wish to maintain this permit, no action is needed as Flex Permits remain valid until you cancel or are canceled from the Flex program.
- In order to purchase a permit, you must be registered for Fall classes.
- Freshmen are not eligible for parking permits of any type.
- Those living in the following restricted ZIP codes are not eligible for Flex or Commuter Permits: 02115, 02116, 02134, 02139, 02163, 02199, 02215, 02446.
- New Flex Permits will not function until the credit card registration process for daily parking charges is completed.
- Commuter and Evening Commuter Permits will not function until Monday, September 2, 2024.
- Campus Resident permits are only available to those living in university campus housing.
- There is a limited number of permits available.
Move-in Shuttle Schedule 8/26-9/2
BU Shuttle (BUS) service will begin with "Move-in Service" before transitioning to regular "Full Academic-year Service" on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Move-in BUS Service
1BU
Monday 8/26 through Friday 8/30, 6:30 am to midnight
Saturday 8/31, 6:30 am to 7:00 pm
30 minute frequency
Comm Ave
Sunday 9/1 and Monday 9/2, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Hyatt
New service for students residing at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge (more info)
Wednesday 8/28 to Monday 9/2, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
20 minute frequency
Full Academic-year BUS Service
Night service will resume on Saturday 8/31 at 7:00 pm.
1BU, Comm Ave, Fenway, and Hyatt lines will resume regular service on Tuesday 9/3.
See the BUS page for routes and schedules.
Trip planning
For live tracking, schedules, and service updates, be sure to use the Terrier Transit app.
General Move-in Info
Please see BU Today's article "Move-in 2024: Everything You Need to Know."