Boston cyclists and hundreds of Boston University students gathered in Marsh Plaza Thursday to advocate bike and pedestrian safety, emphasizing the need for drivers and bikers to be more aware on the road.
The event, hosted by the BU Bike Safety Committee, brought together cyclist advocacy groups such as BU Bikes, a student group, and Massbike. Local bike shops including Back Bay Bikes, International Bikes of Allston and Landry’s offered free tune-ups and reflectors and information about bike safety.
‘It’s very important that students ride safer than we see them ride on the streets,’ BU Bikes co-founder Galen Mook said. ‘People need to understand the dangers of an urban area, need to know the roles of the road and need to know how to drive safely.’
BU Bikes and the BU Safety Committee have received positive feedback about the completion of Commonwealth Avenue bike lanes, he said.
‘We saw a big opportunity with the bike lane to engage students in the cycling issues,’ he said. ‘We saw an opportunity to bring a lot of new riders onto campus and wanted to organize them and get them to do things together.’
College of Art and Sciences junior Andrew Lim said BU should be responsible to lobby for bike lanes in Allston, considering the student demographics in the area.
‘So many students that live off campus live in Allston and many bike to class,’ Lim said. ‘We go to BU bike to class,’ Lim said. ‘We go to BU and pay for tuition so they have a responsibility to look after us and try to provide bike lanes.’
CAS junior Eunice Ko, a new cyclist who was initially hesitant to ride in Boston because of the city’s poor bike safety reputation, said she has become an avid rider.
‘It’s not that bad, so long as you remain aware and keep an eye out for open doors,’ Ko said.
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