Considering Blue Bikes During Orange Line Shut Down? Here’s What You Need to Know

Today starts the first day of 30 days in the Orange Line shut down. Many people are considering alternate modes of transportation. One of which is the Blue Bikes that you see all over the city. Already, an estimated 40,000 cyclists take to the roads of Boston but that number is expected to rise in the next 30 days. That is because for the next 30 days, Blue Bikes are FREE in the city (the first 45 minutes of your ride anyway.) Bike shops are also getting an increased number of inquiries from prospective riders. The only thing is, you can’t just expect to get a bike and ride it to work without knowing some basic rules of the road. Regardless of how you are planning to get to work today and everyday for the next 30 days: “Plan ahead,” said Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “We have a lot of options for Orange Line riders to go online to the MBTA site and a variety of other sites and information that are out there. Review ahead your plan and for both our riders and for drivers, we ask that everyone take their time. Plan extra time and be patient. It is the first work day. There will be adjustments and there will be challenges.”

Here’s what we suggest: GET UP EARLY. Leave your house at least an hour earlier than normal to navigate through potential road blocks (no pun intended.) Plan your route. There are a number of alternate ways for you to get to work in the next 30 days but you have to know what you’re doing ahead of time. Don’t wait until 7am Monday morning to figure out how you’re going to get to work.

If you are planning on taking a Blue Bike to work for the next 30 days, here are some things you need to know abou the service.

• What exactly is Bluebike?

  Bluebike is a public bike sharing system in Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Salem, Somerville and Watertown. It’s a fun, affordable and convenient transportation option for quick trips around town.

  Bluebikes: Metro-Boston's Bikeshare Program | Blue Bikes Boston

  Experience Metro Boston in a whole new way with Bluebikes, a fun and affordable way to get around Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville.

• How does Bluebikes work?

  First, you have to become a member online. Find a bike near you. Get a ride code or use your member key to unlock it.  Take as many short rides as you want while your pass or membership is active.  Return your bike to any station, and wait for the green light on the dock to make sure it’s locked.

  How It Works | Blue Bikes Boston

  Find an available bike nearby, and get a ride code or use your member key to unlock it.

• Bluebike docks are being expanded for the next 30 days

  These are the areas that Bluebikes are being expanded: Ruggles, Stony Brook, Boylston Street at Dartmouth Street, State Street at Boston City Hall, Congress Street at City Hall and Williams Street at Washington Street.

  Station map | Bluebikes

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• Members will NOT have to pay for a renewal during this period

  To help accommodate riders for the next 30 days, there will be no membership renewal or if you are a new member you won’t have to pay.

  Pricing | Blue Bikes Boston

  The Adventure Pass is even better than renting a bike! It's only $10 for 24-hour Bluebikes access and includes unlimited 2-hour rides. If you keep a bike out longer than 2 hours at a time, it's an extra $2.50 per additional 30 minutes.

• Helmets are required for anyone 16 or under

  Here are a list of the bike laws in Massachusetts

  Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition

  Do you know your rights and responsibilities on the road? Here is a summary of Massachusetts' bike law that covers equipment, riding, safety standards, races, violations, and penalties. For exact requirements, please read the complete text of the laws pertaining to bicyclists and bicycling in Massachusetts.

• Remember the ABC's of your bike

  A is for air, check your tires. B is for brakes and C is for the chain, make sure it’s lubricated.

  

  SETTLE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: A rider stops for a wheel change after shredding his tyre during the 57th Annual Yorkshire 3 Peaks Cyclocross Challenge on September 15, 2019 in Settle, England. The 3 Peaks Cyclocross is staged in the Yorkshire Dales National Park each year. It is renowned as being the toughest and biggest Cyclocross event in the UK. The race was born in 1959 when a Yorkshire schoolboy, Kevin Watson rode, pushed and carried his bicycle 30 miles to the summit cairns of Whernside (2,419ft), Ingleborough (2,373ft) and Penyghent (2,273ft). (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

   

• Make sure you know your hand signals

  You can learn your hand signals here:

  Bike Hand Signals | Bike Law Network

  Before you get a driver's license, you typically have to take a test that demonstrates your understanding of the rules of the road. This includes the importance of signaling your intentions when you are turning or changing lanes. Across the United States, bicyclists are required to use signals to let others know what they plan to do.