Somerville has shared their draft plans for protected bike lanes along somerville ave from Elm Street (the end of the Elm Beacon Connector project) to Union Square. The plans will also add neighborway treatments (contraflow cycling) on Laurel Street and Quincy Street between Summerville Ave and Summer Street.

The Roll Plans are here. The meeting posters are here.

The survey is here.

Shocking that no one with the power to actually bring Bluebikes to Waltham actually wants it in the city!

This Tufts masters thesis, "Project Prioritization: Using BlueBikes Ridership and Spatial Network Analysis to Analyze Boston-Area Bicycle Facilities" uses Bluebike data to compare ridership in various types of infrastructure. This is useful for identifying targeted locations for infrastructure improvement.

Abstract:

>Many cities have chosen to promote increased cycling mode-share as a key component of transportation planning. Increased cycling has positive impacts on traffic congestion, air pollution, and public health. Research shows, however, that most potential cyclists will not do so in mixed traffic with automobiles. This thesis analyzes the intersection between investments in bicycle-sharing systems and bicycle infrastructure, analyzing where the network of cycling infrastructure does not correspond with the areas of highest demand.

This thesis uses traffic stress, traffic flow assignment, and equity to analyze the bicycle infrastructure for three cities served by BlueBikes. It identifies locations where highly central streets are high-stress and particularly deserving of prioritization. The findings of the thesis show significant gaps in safe routes along the most heavily trafficked bicycle-share routes in the system. In addition, it provides a new broadly applicable, open-source tool for analyzing the relationship between bicycle share and city infrastructure.

I know there was one in Boston this morning but according to Facebook there is a ride of Silence in Cambridge at 6:30 this afternoon. Are there actually two of them today?

This 2021 Masters thesis from the university of Irvine, "Calibration and Validation of Generalized Bathtub Model with Boston’s Bluebikes Data" obviously used Bluebikes data.

Abstract:

>Most existing traffic flow models rely on data collection methods that require a detailed layout of networks with compilations of recorded individual trip data. Although these procedures have been reliable, they also possess disadvantages such as high computation costs and a lack of privacy protection. Thus, in search of a lower cost alternative that can also effectively protect consumer privacy, we analyzed the Bathtub traffic flow model as a potentially viable data collection protocol.

>To test whether concepts can be proven, conservation equations can be consistent, and outputs can be obtained with accuracy through the Bathtub model, I performed model calibration and validation on data provided by Bluebikes, Metro Boston’s public bike share program. The following components were tested: unified relative space paradigm, conservation equations, and Bathtub model. These components were tested through the following steps: data organization, definition of steps, Bathtub model selection, Bathtub variables, Bathtub relative variables, average speed, conservation equation validation, and model solution.

>The unified relative space paradigm unified the network trips using remaining trip distances. Bluebikes trip distance distribution showed a log-normal distribution, which failed to meet the negative exponential and time-independent trip distance distribution assumption. The conservation in total trips equation was validated with perfect accuracy, while the conservation in trip-miles-traveled equation was validated with good accuracy. The generalized Bathtub model solution also produced accurate results, where space-mean speed yielded the best results.

>Given the model’s novelty and potential for privacy-preservation and application, there are many possibilities for future study, such as: data collection protocols with the Bathtub model, compatibility with other transportation modes, and comparisons with reality. This study establishes the preliminary step in putting theory to practice, as we aim towards application.

The news doesn’t always have to be complicated or sordid!

The fastest way to get to work is the blue bike. All of my bags are too big for the rack to securely attach the strap. Sometimes it works on the vertical ones for never on the horizontal trays, which is most of them. So I’m looking for a new bag that I could securely put my pc, charger, notebook, badge in with the strap and get to work.

My PC is large IMO, currently 14x10 inches, but that can change.

Somerville, DCR, and the Mystic River Watershed Association are collaborating on an upgrade of the existing path along the mystic river along Shoreline Drive to Multi-use standards. Construction starts next month. This path connects to the Mystic River path network including a car free connection to Assembly Square.

The goals are:

• Improve access to the Mystic River for all
• Improve safety and accessibility
• Support ecology along the Mystic River shoreline
• Improve public health outcomes: enhance recreational experience and promote walking, biking, and rolling to get around
• Provide relief from urban heat

They will widen the path to 12 ft, improve green stormwater infrastructure, add new seating areas, and plant 86 new trees.

TIMELINE

2026

• June: Construction begins
• Summer: demolition, excavation, and underground infrastructure
• Early Fall: Install soil, plants, and trees
• Late fall: Pave path; Install lighting; seed lawn

2027

• Spring: Continue planting; install new furnishings
• Summer: Construction completion