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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">MassBike
Mid-February Update<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">MassBike and the MBTA Need Your Help</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Are you a cyclist who uses the MBTA’s subways,
trolleys, commuter rail, buses, or ferries? If so, we need your help. The MBTA
has asked MassBike to help them determine the best places for new bike racks to
be located. Please send us your suggestions on: which stations need more bike
racks; how many additional bikes you believe need to be accommodated; and if you
have specific suggestions for where at a particular station the new bike racks
ought to be placed. Email your responses to <A
href="mailto:sarah@massbike.org">sarah@massbike.org</A>. </P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">New! Member Benefit: MassBike Welcomes Simple
Living Cycles as Business Partner</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">A new bike shop, Simple Living Cycles, is opening
in Framingham in early March. Simple Living, located at 57 Waverly St. (Rte.
135) on the Natick line, is starting out right by signing on as a financial
supporter of MassBike’s advocacy work, and will offer a 10% discount to all
MassBike members. </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
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style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.75pt solid">
<P
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">They
are also looking for a bike mechanic/sales person, part-time to start. Please
call Phil at 508-620-6600 or 774-279-1908, or stop by 57 Waverly Street in
Framingham. </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Two Great MassBike Events in March, including
talk by author of Bicycle: The History</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Two local businesses are making it fun to raise
money for MassBike. On Friday, March 11, Petsi Pies (285 Beacon St., on the
Cambridge line) will donate 20% of the day’s sales to MassBike. Come in and
purchase a handmade, delicious pie! Cyclists will also get a free scone with
your purchase—just remember to show your helmet!</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
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<P
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">On
Saturday, March 12, O’Naturals in Davis Square, Somerville (187 Elm Street, the
former site of Carberry’s) will donate 10% of sales between 4:00-8:00 p.m. to
MassBike. Come hear our special guest David Herlihy, author of Bicycle: The
History, speak at 4 p.m. and then enjoy a healthy, tasty dinner with your family
or friends! </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Join Us to Lobby for Cycling in
Washington—March 16-18</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Would you like to take the next
step in your bicycling advocacy? Each year, the League of American Bicyclists
(LAB) coordinates the National Bike Summit, in which people learn about bike
advocacy at the national level and then lobby their representatives in
Washington. MassBike coordinates the Massachusetts delegation, and we’d love to
have you join us this year from March 16-18. There is a cost for Summit
registration (payable to the LAB), and participants must pay for their own
transportation and lodging. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">To register for the conference
and for more information, visit the League of American Bicyclists’ webpage:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
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href="http://www.bikeleague.org/events/summit05.html">http://www.bikeleague.org/events/summit05.html</A></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Can’t Come to Washington? Write a Letter to Your
Legislator</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
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<P
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">If
you’d like to encourage our Congressmen and Senators to support bicycling but
can’t join us at the National Bike Summit in Washington, here’s an important way
you can help. Write a letter describing your experience cycling in your
community, and urge your legislators to support funding to improve cycling in
Massachusetts. If you are working on a particular issue or project (particularly
one that relies on federal funding), please mention it! Include your name,
phone, email, and address so that they can verify the letter and respond to you.
You can email your letters (they can be short or long!) to <A
href="mailto:sarah@massbike.org">sarah@massbike.org</A>, and we will pass them
along to your elected officials. These letters truly make a
difference.</P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Become a League Cycling
Instructor: April 15-17<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Would you like to teach
cycling skills to others? MassBike is sponsoring a training by the League of
American Bicyclists for experienced cyclists to become certified League Cycling
Instructors, or LCIs. This weekend-long training (Friday night through Sunday
afternoon) will take place in the MetroBoston area, and is the only such
training this year in New England. As a prerequisite, you must have taken the
“Road I” (aka Cycling Skills) class—see previous listing. The cost of the
training is $175, payable to the League of American Bicyclists. You MUST
register by March 18, so please do so as soon as possible!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">For more information and
registration details, click here<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A
href="http://www.massbike.org/events/lci2005.htm">http://www.massbike.org/events/lci2005.htm</A><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Sign Up for MassBike Cycling Skills Class: <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">March 16 and 20<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Would you like to learn how to ride more
confidently in traffic? <SPAN style="COLOR: black">MassBike's Cycling Skills
Class will teach beginning and intermediate cyclists the skills necessary to
ride safely in traffic. This course will build confidence and teach important
safety skills and tips for commuting. The class meets in Boston with an off-bike
learning session on Wednesday, March 16 from 5:30—8:30 p.m., and an on-bike
skills training on Sunday, March 20 from 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. The cost of the
course, taught by League Cycling Instructor and former Boston “bike czar” Paul
Schimek, is $50 for members of MassBike, Charles River Wheelmen, and
participants in the Mass Red Ribbon Ride. The regular cost for others is $60.
***Please note that if you plan to take the “League Cycling Instructor” training
course from April 15-17 and have not completed your “Road I” course, this will
be your only opportunity to do so.***</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">For more information and to register, click
here<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><A
href="http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1198371">http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1198371</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">MetroBoston Chapter Meets
Wednesday, Feb. 23. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">MassBike drew 27 people in
the middle of a snowstorm for our first MassBike-MetroBoston chapter meeting in
January! Please join us this time around as we build on the excitement. This
meeting will be crucial, as we elect officers and set a “Top 10 List” of
priorities for chapter activism. We’ll be meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:00
p.m. at the University Lutheran Church, 66 Winthrop St., Harvard Square (just
off JFK Street, past Pinocchio’s Pizza). Email </SPAN><A
href="mailto:cporter@camsys.com">cporter@camsys.com</A><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> for details.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Also, please consider helping
our other local chapters. The Pioneer Valley chapter next meets on March 9 at
7:00 p.m. (email </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><A
href="mailto:james@earth.ast.smith.edu">james@earth.ast.smith.edu</A> for
details) or email </SPAN><A
href="mailto:bikeworcester@lists.riseup.net">bikeworcester@lists.riseup.net</A><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">to help with our Worcester Earn-a-Bike
chapter. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV
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<P
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Want to start a MassBike
chapter in your region? Email </SPAN><A
href="mailto:bikexec@massbike.org">bikexec@massbike.org</A><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Join MassBike or Renew Online</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">If you’re reading this and you’re
not a MassBike member—please join! (If you’re already a member, it’s never too
early to renew!) We’re the leading bicycling advocacy group in Massachusetts,
making change on a daily basis to help cyclists across the state. If you enjoy
riding on the Minuteman Path, cycling to work, bringing your bike on the T, or
just having fun, MassBike has been instrumental over the past 28 years in making
that possible. Please join today and make us even stronger.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><BR>Click here to sign up</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A
href="http://www.active.com/donations/campaign_public.cfm?key=massbike">http://www.active.com/donations/campaign_public.cfm?key=massbike</A></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Rescheduled Public Meetings on
Central Artery Project Transit Commitments</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">If you’re interested in the
Arborway Green Line Extension, the Blue Line/Red Line Connector, and the Medford
Hills/Somerville Green Line Extension, there will be two upcoming public
meetings where you can testify or submit written comments. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 6:30 - 8:30
p.m., Agassiz School, 20 Child Street, Jamaica Plain<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Monday, February 28, 2005 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.,
Somerville Public High School, 81 Highland Street,
Somerville<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Written comments will be welcome at the
meeting; written comments will also<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">be
accepted until 5 PM on Friday, March 4, 2005. You can email comments to <A
href="mailto:robert.golledge@state.ma.us">robert.golledge@state.ma.us</A> and <A
href="mailto:daniel.grabauskas@mhd.state.ma.us">daniel.grabauskas@mhd.state.ma.us</A></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>