Here are some of the advocacy projects that DotBike is working on.

Closing the Gap in the Harbor Trail – DotBike is teaming up with the Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN) to push forward on a plan to close the gap in the Harbor Trail between Tenean Beach and UMass Boston, thereby linking the Neponset Greenway to the HarborWalk.  We will be working with DCR, National Grid, Neighborhood Associations, Mass Highway and other relevant stake holders to explore options.  Initial efforts will focus on gaining right of way access near the National Grid gas tanks.

Update – National Grid, in conjunction with its plans to build a solar energy facility on site is in negotiations with the DCR regarding siting a path on and adjacent to their property that will allow the crucial off road link between Victory Road and Morrissey Blvd. north of the I-93 off ramp.

Here is a link to a white paper produced by members of DotBike and BNAN that outlines the situation and describes proposed solutions.

Franklin Park Bicycle Improvements – we have been keeping abreast of the Franklin Park Transportation and Access Study commissioned by the Boston Parks Department.  We are also working closely with the Franklin Park Coalition and other neighborhood bike groups to push the Parks Department to make quick, easy and relatively low cost changes that will immediately improve conditions for cyclists in the park.

Update: A new project that we will be working on and that should be quick and fun will be to measure widths of some of the existing paths in the park.  Why will we do this?  Did you know that bicycling is officially not allowed in Franklin Park?  This is an old and unenforced law but even though it is not enforced it would be great to “officially” have the park be bike friendly.  To do that we need to assess the existing paths and submit a report on which paths are wide enough to be considered fair use.  Once we have identified all the appropriate paths we will submit the information to the parks department and they can have the ‘no bikes’ regulation removed from the books. We are planning to make this a collaborative project involving DotBike, JP Bikes, Rozzie Bikes, Roxbury cyclists and the Franklin Park Coalition.

Dorchester Avenue Improvement Project bicycle accommodations – DotBike has met and will continue to meet with consultants that are making recommendations to the planners of the Dorchester Avenue Improvement project.  The planners have been getting pressure from the city to include bicycle accommodations including bike lanes and ample bike parking in the project plans.  The goal is to have modified plans that include bicycle accomodations submitted and put out for bid by March 2009.

Update: The Dorchester Ave. improvement project has been transferred to BTD and is in line to receive federal stimulus funding.  The current timing of the contract bid submission is within the next 2 months.  DotBike members attended a presentation that diagrammed each intersection and the changes proposed.  We were disappointed to see very few bike accommodations included.  A group of us submitted comments suggesting how additional bike accommodations might be added (mostly bike boxes and modified curb configurations).

Bicycle parking at Dorchester Redline T-stations – we have met with some MBTA personnel regarding improved and additional bike parking at Dorchester T-stations.  Our current focus is ensuring that there is adequate protected bike parking at Ashmont station, which is currently undergoing construction.  We have requested a meeting with the MBTA project managers and they have agreed.  More info as it comes in.

A recently installed rack in a nice open and well trafficked location at Fields corner was a step in the right direction.