News & Updates
NEW: “Roll Safe” resource page
Like newborn fawns taking their first steps, new bike, scooter, and skateboard riders are wobbling their way into Boston's bike lanes. Whether you're one of those new fawns or a traffic-seasoned buck, it's probably a good idea to brush up on some basic street safety skills. Who knows: you might learn something!
Please visit our new Roll Safe page for the City of Boston's comprehensive list of tips for riding your micromobility device (bike, scooter, skateboard...) in town plus this fun video about Comm Ave's bike lanes:
Our new Roll Safe page includes information about:
- Inspecting your bike before riding
- Ways to tackle traffic at your own pace
- Tips for sharing the road
- Rules of the road
- Hand signals
- Using lights
- Common crashes
- Navigating bike lanes
- Riding in all weather
Check it out!
Spring Break BUS Schedule
1BU (CRC-BUMC)
Approximate 30 minute intervals between Saturday 3/9 and Saturday 3/16. Regular service resumes Monday 3/18.
- Monday-Friday (6:30am - midnight)
- Saturday (6:30am - 7:00pm)
Fenway
Approximate 30 minute intervals between Saturday 3/9 and Sunday 3/17. Regular service resumes on Monday 3/18.
- Saturday 3/9-Saturday 3/16 (9:30am - 8:30pm)
- Sunday 3/17 (9:30am - 4:30pm)
Comm Ave Loop
Last day of service is Friday 3/8. Service resumes on Monday 3/18.
Night
Last day of service is Saturday 3/9. Service resumes on Saturday 3/16.
Rites of Spring!
This week was the spring of deception, but very soon, warmer temps will be here to stay, and here at the BUCK, that means getting outside! March will be all about preparing you and your bike to keep moving through the end of the term. To that end, our schedule will change after spring break, and Saturday shop time will return, with hours TBD.
To start the month off, whether you're brand new or need a refresher, come check out our ABC's of bike maintenance March 6th, at 5:30 p. This short course will go over the basics of keeping your bike happy to increase its lifespan, and your time between services, whether you tune your bike yourself, at the BUCK, or have it done professionally at your friendly local bike shop.
March 13th from 6-9 p features the return of grrreasetime, in partnership with Femmechanics. This worknight is put on by and for the femme, trans, women, and gender expansive community to create a safe wrenching space. It's co-sponsored by the LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty and Staff, and will have BUCK staff and volunteers present to help with any and all of your needs! Come clean or fix your bike, or just enjoy the community. There will almost certainly be snaxxxx.
Springing ahead to March 19, from 5-7p, the BUCK will be combining our love of classical music with classic bike safety questions. Do you have questions about your legal rights as a bicyclist on the road? Have you been meaning to listen to Igor Stravinsky's 1913 ballet, The Rite of Spring? On the first day of Spring, we'll be rocking out to Stravinsky while Boston bike law expert Josh Zisson of Bike Safe Boston answers all your questions about legal rules and rights on the road.
Closing out the month, our friends over at CIMS' Spring Film Series will feature The Way He Looks on March 27th at 5p. Unlike other BUCK movies, the screening takes place in Com B05. It's supposed to be a very sweet romance with some lovely bicycle scenes.
Due to Spring Break, and manager PQ attending a conference, there is currently no group ride planned for the month, but check back for a collaboration with Tufts for April, an Earth day bike lane clean up, and other fun pop ups.If there's something else you want to see, drop us a line.
Hot Cocoa Ride- Route
Tomorrow, meet up at the BUCK at 10am for a Hot Cocoa Ride in collaboration with Commonwheels Bike Collective and the Allston-Brighton Health Collaborative. Doors will open around 9:45 for your pre-ride air and lubrication needs.
This no-drop ride will stop briefly at Jaho and LA Burdick and will end at Clear Flour in Brookline, just around the corner from the Cycle Kitchen. It's recommended that riders stop for drinks and snacks at Jaho or Clear Flour, and purchase dry mixes or other chocolate snacks at LA Burdick to avoid the long lines for tourists
We will be moving at about 10 mph, please feel free to drop in and out as time makes sense for you. Dress warmly to accommodate the pace, and don't forget to bring your friends!
Snow Day- BUCK Closed
The BUCK will be closed 2/13 for a snow emergency. We look forward to seeing you on Velotine's Day. Come through and clean your bike from the salt after the storm and enter our raffle to win cool accessories for your love.
Happy Snow Day!
Treat your Velotine! February at the BUCK
The grey days of winter are upon us. Beat them back at the BUCK! We're back this month with a variety of events to keep you warm and build connections to the cycling community. One of the most frequent comments we hear at the BUCK is about the lack of riding buddies. Instead of trying to convert your friends, come meet some new folks who already know life is better on two wheels. Want to talk about transit? We're here for that, too!
We're starting the month off by celebrating Faculty and Staff who commute by bike! You’re not alone! More and more employees are getting to BU by bike and some even ride in the winter. No matter when you ride, you are invited to join us on 2/1 from 4-6p for fellowship, snacks, drinks, and prizes. We’ll be showing off our new “Cycle Kitchen,” soliciting input on bike facilities, and swapping commuting tips. This year’s prize drawing will include Bar Mitts, fenders, and a tune-up from Landry’s. Bring your bike if you want to put it in the stand and tune it up a bit yourself.
For anyone riding right now, come celebrate Winter Bike to Work day Friday 2/9, from 4-7p. Warm up before your commute home, trade tips and tricks, and meet other folks who are braving the elements right now. Feeling especially soggy about it? Consider dropping in to figure out what kind of fenders are right for your bike, so we can help keep you dry. Snacks and warm beverages provided.
Whether you're riding all year round, or you put your wheels away before it got cold, your bike could probably use a little love. Prepare for the next snow storm OR sunny day by treating your Velotine to a thorough cleaning. Bring a bike, bring a buddy, and through the power of teamwork, get it done together. We'll set up some extra stands if needed! Wed Feb 14, 5-7p
Speaking of building community, we're teaming up with local bike collective Commonwheels to bring you a Hot Cocoa Ride, Saturday 2/17. The BUCK will open at 9:45 for air and lubrication and ride will start at 10a. Expect a party pace of about 10mph, three stops for cocoa, coffee, or pastries, or bring your own. Let this guided ride expand your cafe horizons. Be prepared to ride with gloves and ear coverings- the cold won't stop us, but inclement weather might, so check our instagram Friday night, and get ready to make new friends.
Rounding out the month, we're having another movie night. Catch Ovarian Psycos 5-7p on Friday, Feb 23. This powerful 2016 film centers on a group of Latina women who use regular bike rides as a tool for social change in East LA.
Ongoing events:
Want to keep your the Comm Ave cycle track LIT? Volunteer with a buddy Tuesday nights, 5-7, to hand out lights to commuters. State Law says a white front and red rear light are both required 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise. Keep our fellow riders seen and safe, and get the word out about the BUCK. Hot beverages provided to volunteers. Please sign up in advance so we know to expect you!
End of the week getting you down? Commuter Coffee, Thursday mornings from 8am until the coffee runs out. Grab a mug and join other cyclists to vent about your commute while giving your bike a quick ABC check. If coffee isn't your thing, we've also got tea and cocoa for guests.
Is there an event you'd like to see or host at the BUCK? Email us or drop in during open shop hours to chat!
Do you bike to work?
BU Employees who bike to work are encouraged to join us next Thursday evening (Feb. 1st) for our Employee Bike Commuter Meetup (event info).
NEW Micromobility Device Guidelines
Safety is important when riding your bike or scooter. It's also important when storing them. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with BU’s new Micromobility Guidelines.
Here are the basics:
– bikes and scooters should never be ridden or stored in common areas, hallways, dining halls, or classrooms
– only registered bikes and scooters can be stored in dorm rooms, offices, and secure bike rooms
– electric-powered devices must bear the mark of UL-certification in order to be registered
– violation of these guidelines may result in impound of your bike or scooter
BUCK will be closed from 12/21 until 1/2
The BU Cycle Kitchen's last day before break will be Wednesday 12/20. We will reopen on Tuesday, 1/2.
But we've got one more event before winter break! Join us tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5pm for a screening of Klunkerz, a fun 2006 documentary about the early days of what we now call "mountain biking" in Marin County, California. C'mon by for a study break. We'll have popcorn.
Femmechanics Pop-up at the BUCK
Next Wednesday, the BUCK is hosting our friends from Commonwheels and Femmechanics from 6-9pm. Commonwheels typically holds open shops outdoors in the Allston/Brighton area during warmer months, as well as group rides and other events. Look for more crossovers with them in the future! In fact, our very first time hosting people in this space was during Commonwheels' Rat Race back in August.
Femmechanics hosts pop-up open shop nights (and other events) in various spaces around Boston to provide a space by and for FTW folks to service their bikes and build community together! Come check it out, prep your bike for winter, and make some new friends.
