Boston is ranked 4th most bike-friendly city according to The League of American Bicyclists , and continues to move up in ranking for safety and bicycle-friendly roadways and advocacy all the way to the legislative level. Since the last U.S. Census, there has been a 60% increase in bicycling to work.

May 2016 marked the 21st MassCommute Bicycle Challenge , where commuters competed against one another as employer-based teams to log the most miles commuting via bicycle. MassCommute is comprised of the twelve Transportation Management Associations surrounding greater Boston and supported by MassDOT, MassRIDES and MassBIKE.

Patrick Sullivan, LEED Green Associate and Director of Policy and Outreach at the Waltham-based TMA 128 Business Council said, “Participation has grown more and more every year, which is great. We’re seeing more new faces that are not your typical cyclist saying it’s an efficient way to get to work.”

There are a variety of groups pushing cycling throughout the whole year as opposed to optimal seasons when cycling is more prevalent. It is fast becoming a legitimate way to commute. Through the TMAs, local city and town bike groups and groups formed independently, more resources from local government and grants are funding more bicycle safety and infrastructure.

Pro-cycling infrastructure in Boston has improved greatly over the last decade. There are more bike markings, bicycle-friendly roads and bicycle lanes. As a result, the safety and riding challenges associated with cycling in traffic is becoming less of an impediment for those wanting to cycle as a commuting option. Boston is moving in a positive direction, following the lead of big cities with a large commuter cycling population. MassDOT is painting new bike lanes and adjacent smaller cities and towns are following suit, realizing it’s something people want and not just a niche interest—it’s a legitimate mode of transportation and growing in demand.

Hubway is Boston’s bike sharing organization and provides people with bicycles they can utilize based on their commuting preferences. Hubway stations are strategically located throughout Metro Boston and in proximity to mass transit, universities and businesses. Hubway is adding new bikes, docks and stations to their system every year as demand increases. Unfortunately, user membership fees are insufficient to support the Hubway system, so many corporate sponsors such as New Balance help cover the cost of implementing and maintaining the system.

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