Every day, Commonwealth Avenue is inundated with thousands of bikers and pedestrians, especially around the Boston University area.
On Tuesday, Boston bike enthusiasts and passersby united at Marsh Plaza for a day of tips, information and free stuff for BU's third annual bicycle and pedestrian safety day, sponsored by BU Parking &' Transportation Services.
The event featured representatives from numerous local bike stores and avid bike advocates who came out to inform students about how to travel safely while riding their bikes around the city.
Though bikes have been around for thousands of years, members of BU Parking and Transportation Services were surprised at how dangerously some bikers travel on the road. This idea was what prompted the office to sponsor the festivities for the first time three years ago, representatives from Parking and Transportation Services said.
James McBride, a representative from MassBike.org, explained some basic tips for safe biking.
"We suggest that if you're riding a bike, you should follow all the rules of the road as if you were driving a car," he said. "I've been riding for seven to eight years now and I've never had an accident because it's really easy to ride a bike if you stop at the lights and always wear a helmet."
The bike safety page on BU's website complements McBride's advice by educating bikers about what not to do. These hints warn students against locking their bikes to trees, benches or fences, as well as riding against traffic and going through a green light without looking.
McBride also offered some advice to those buying their first bike. "If you're going to buy a new bike, you should look around to a couple bike shops and figure out the size of bike that best suits you."
For students who were eager to buy a bike but did not know what to look for, Will Carlson of BU Bikes said potential bike buyers should not ignore rusting or creaking bike parts, even if they are cheaper.
Students should pay more for a good quality bike rather than regret buying an older bike later, he said.
McBride also gave students advice on how much to invest in a bike.
"A few hundred dollars is usually what a decent bike will cost you if you're looking for a mountain or hybrid bike," he said. "If you're looking for a bike to ride on the road, the entry-level bikes are $500 or more."
Because those prices can be more than what a typical college budget can afford, McBride said Craigslist.com could act as a surprisingly helpful resource for a finding a sturdy bike.
To help promote responsible bike riding, McBride also encouraged participants to register their bikes with the Parking and Transportation office and have their bikes inspected by local mechanics.
Prize tents also offered free bike accessories such as tire patch kits, reflectors, tire wrenches and lights, in addition to Kettle Korn, ice cream and beverages that were handed out to energize riders for their trip home.
Attendees also had the chance to win a 2010 Felt Gridloc three-speed, a 2010 Specialized Allez road bike or a secret raffle prize from Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore.
Elmore revealed the secret prize as a gift certificate to Stephanie's on Newbury Street.
College of Communication sophomore Maurice Rahmey, an avid biker, said bike safety is critical.
"We're in a city and we should be aware of what's going on around us," he said. "I also think wearing a helmet is really important."
More information about bike safety is available on BU's website, www.bu.edu/bikesafety.
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