Posts Tagged ‘“bike helmets”’
Mark Your Calendar: Boston’s Bike to Work Festival is Friday
Boston’s National Bike to Work Festival at Boston City Hall Plaza in May 2017.
One of our favorite events is Boston’s National Bike to Work Festival, when cyclists ride into City Hall Plaza in convoys, bright and early, ready to start a fun morning. Breakstone, White & Gluck is pleased to participate again this Friday morning. Our attorneys will be out at our Project KidSafe tent, greeting cyclists and workers who come out to celebrate and learn about cycling in Boston.
Please come say hello. Our attorneys can inspect your bike helmet and we are offering our Project KidSafe helmets free to cyclists who need one (available on a first-come basis, while supplies last). In addition, cyclists can sign up for free breakfast and other freebies, plus learn more about the new Blue Bikes.
Boston’s Bike to Work Festival Details: Register by Wednesday, May 16th
If you are interested, please read the City of Boston’s e-mail announcement. Cyclists can sign up to ride into the festival on one of the many convoys coming in from all over the area or just ride in on your own. You must register by Wednesday to receive an event t-shirt and take advantage of the free offerings.
WHAT: Boston’s Bike to Work Day Festival
DATE: Friday, May 18
TIME: 7 a.m.- 9 a.m.
WHERE: Boston City Hall Plaza
LEARN MORE: www.boston.gov/bike-to-work-day
Bike Activities in May
Before we continue, we want to mention all the activities being offered to cyclists this week and month. May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the American League of Bicyclists. As part of National Bike Month, National Bike to Work Day will be celebrated in Boston and communities across the U.S. Here in Massachusetts, MassBike is also presenting Bay State Bike Week from May 12th to May 20th. Check out the Bay State Bike Week calendar and the MassCommute Bicycling Challenge 2018.
Blue Bikes
Expect to see lots of blue as the City of Boston celebrates the rebranding of the public bike share system at Friday’s event. The metro-Boston’s public bike share system is owned by the municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville and operated by Motivate. The green Hubway bikes will be phased out, as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts becomes the new title sponsor.
New Balance was the original title sponsor for the system, which launched back in 2011 with 600 bikes. The system has since tripled in size. Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans further expansion, and the system could reach 3,000 bikes by year’s end.
According to the City of Boston, Blue Cross and Blue Shield will offer free rentals on Friday. Read this announcement to learn more. You can also visit www.bluebikes.com and download the app if you are interested.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck and Project KidSafe: Over 20,000 Bicycle Helmets for Children
Breakstone, White & Gluck is a Boston personal injury and medical malpractice law firm representing plaintiffs. With more than 100 years combined experience, our lawyers fight for justice for those who have been injured by the negligence or wrongdoing of others.
Our law firm is committed to bike safety and preventing head injuries through our Project KidSafe campaign. Wearing a helmet is required by law for cyclists who are 16 and younger in Massachusetts, though it is critical for cyclists of all ages. Please commit to wear a helmet every time you ride.
Over the past six years, Breakstone, White & Gluck has donated over 20,000 bicycle helmets to children, families and other cyclists through our Project KidSafe campaign. We partner with local bike committees, police departments, schools and non-profit organizations to make these donations, including these organizations in Boston:
- City of Boston, Boston Bikes Roll It Forward
- City of Boston, Youth Cycling Program
- Boston Police Department
- Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Partnership
- CommonWheels Bicycle Collective
- Boston Cyclists Union
- Bikes Not Bombs
- Bicyclecentro of East Boston
- Mattapan on Wheels
- Tierney Learning Center of South Boston
- The Home for Little Wanderers
5 Steps to Take Now for a Safe Bike Season in Massachusetts
Boston saw 70 degrees in February last week. Naturally, many of us are now ready for Spring. If you are a cyclist or have a child who rides, now is the time to get ready for a safe cycling season.
The attorneys of Breakstone, White & Gluck have long represented cyclists who have been injured by negligent drivers in Massachusetts. We are committed to preventing these bicycle accidents and reducing injuries. In a few weeks, we will begin the 6th year of our Project KidSafe campaign, donating bicycle helmets to children in Boston and other communities. Bike helmets are critical to preventing concussions and traumatic brain injuries. And they are most effective when cyclists start wearing them at an early age with positive reinforcement from parents and other family members.
We will share more on our campaign soon. For now, we have a few bike safety tips from our attorneys and the League of American Bicyclists to help you get ready for a safe cycling season.
1) ABC Quick Check
Check the basics, including the air in your tires, your brakes and the cranks and chain. Then check your quick releases to make sure they are all closed and pointing toward the back of your bike. Then take a quick ride to make sure your bike is properly working. If you are a parent, watch your child on a test ride.
2) Get a Bike Helmet
Always, always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. Purchase a new helmet every few years or sooner if you have been involved in a bike crash. A helmet is a critical tool in preventing head injuries and is required by law for cyclists who are 16 and younger in Massachusetts. Families who bike together should wear helmets together. Children are more likely to adopt the habit if their parents do the same.
We are often asked whether cyclists should purchase helmets online or shop local. We suggest you visit the local bicycle shop. Try a few helmets on while getting help from an experienced cyclist. Buying the right size is hard and an experienced cyclist can be very helpful. Beyond that, bicycle shops are a lot of fun. You can learn a lot about cycling in your area by visiting one.
Here is a video on how to fit a helmet.
3) Stock Up on Bright Colored Clothing
Whether you ride in cycling gear or street clothes, we suggest you purchase a neon safety vest for yourself and family members. You can wear it every time you ride to stand out or just in busy traffic.
4) Check Your Equipment
In Massachusetts, cyclists must use bike lights so they are visible to motor vehicles in the morning, up to one-half hour before sunrise, and in the evening, starting no later than thirty minutes after sunset. Remember—dusky hours can make you very hard to see, which is why that bright clothing is even more important. Read more about the law on our website.
5) Prepare for the Bike Trail
Remember the rules of safety on bike trails, too, and always be considerate of other cyclists. Do not speed. Travel on the right. Pass on the left. Use a bell or announce you plan to pass another cyclist. Although you are permitted to ride two-abreast, courtesy suggests you should ride single file when you travel in a group. Finally, expect to stop when the bike trail crosses street traffic.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience representing pedestrians, cyclists and others injured by car accidents. We are committed to safety for cyclists. Through our Project KidSafe campaign, we have donated more than 15,000 bicycle helmets to children in Massachusetts. For our commitment to safety, our firm has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business.
If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, it is in your best interests to consult a personal injury lawyer and learn your legal rights. For a free legal consultation, contact our attorneys at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Westwood Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee and Breakstone, White & Gluck Team Up for Bike Helmet Giveaway at Westwood Town Day
For the fifth year, the Westwood Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee had one of the busiest tables at Westwood Town Day, which was held on Saturday, Sept. 23 this year. Breakstone, White & Gluck donated 150 bicycle helmets from our Project KidSafe campaign and sent Attorney David W. White out to help fit helmets for the kids. Attorney White is a Westwood resident, former committee member and cyclist so he had a blast. Thank you to all the committee members for donating their time.
Children age 16 and younger are required to wear helmets when riding a bicycle in Massachusetts. Breakstone, White & Gluck recommends cyclists of all ages wear helmets every time you ride to protect yourself from a head injury. If you are a parent, your children are more likely to wear a helmet if you do, so it is even more important. Learn more about our Project KidSafe campaign.
Cambridge Police Department and Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe Campaign Give Away Free Bicycle Helmets to Children at Rindge Tower Apartments
Thank you to the Cambridge Police Department for fitting bike helmets for the kids at Rindge Tower Apartments. Breakstone, White & Gluck donated the helmets as part of our Project KidSafe campaign.
Just-A-Start, a community development corporation serving Cambridge, treated families at the Rindge Tower Apartments to a Community BBQ with all the best fixings of summer last week. From hot dogs, hamburgers and snow cones to bouncy houses, music and conga lines, the gathering drew more than 150 people from the 273-unit apartment building near Alewife Station.
The Cambridge Police Department participated, distributing safety materials and free bicycle helmets from Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign. Officers distributed and fitted over 80 helmets for children.
“Our thanks to the Cambridge Police Department and the attorneys of Breakstone, White & Gluck for providing the bike helmets,” said Nancy Porcaro, Just-A-Start’s community coordinator. “We were touched by the donation and I feel it was one of the most important components to our annual event. The helmets were a big hit with the families and will go a long way toward protecting the children on bikes.”
About Breakstone, White & Gluck and Project KidSafe
Breakstone, White & Gluck, a personal injury and medical malpractice law firm based in Boston, was founded by Marc L. Breakstone, David W. White and Ronald E. Gluck in 1992. In 2017, we celebrated our 25th anniversary serving our clients.
We founded our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013 with a goal of keeping children safe on bikes. Since then, we have donated more than 15,000 bicycle helmets in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and across Massachusetts. Our goal is to encourage children to wear helmets every time they ride to prevent head injuries from bicycle accidents or falls. Under Massachusetts law, cyclists under 17 years old are required to wear helmets which meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard. But we hope children reached by our Project KidSafe campaign will make helmets a life-long habit.
This is the second year Breakstone, White & Gluck and the Cambridge Police Department have partnered together to promote bicycle safety.
Project KidSafe Bike Helmet Donations: Dedham Bike Rodeo, Mattapan on Wheels and Windsor Street Care Center in Cambridge
We want to share a few photos from our Project KidSafe campaign.
Dedham Bike Rodeo. Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to donate 120 Project KidSafe bike helmets to the Dedham Bike Rodeo on July 26. Attorney David W. White participated in the event, fitting helmets for children who needed one. We always enjoy this event because we get a chance to talk to children and parents about bike helmets and bike safety. It was one of the first events we donated helmets to in 2013, the year we began our Project KidSafe campaign. The rodeo is organized by the Dedham Police Department and the Dedham Parks and Recreation Department.
Mattapan on Wheels. Breakstone, White & Gluck also donated helmets to cyclists at the 7th Annual Mattapan on Wheels event on July 22. We are told 130 cyclists took to the Neponset Trail to raise funds for a youth bike summit and many had no helmet or needed a new one. Participants could choose their destination and ride along the trail to Pope John Paul II Park, Carson Beach or Castle Island. This was the first time we donated helmets to this event and we are told every helmet was put to use.
Windsor Street Care Center. Breakstone, White & Gluck also donated 150 bike helmets to the Windsor Street Care Center, which is part of the Cambridge Healthcare Alliance. The medical staff have been giving helmets away throughout the summer to children who need one. This is the third year we have made this donation.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe Campaign
Breakstone, White & Gluck is proud to support cyclists through our Project KidSafe campaign. Since 2013, our attorneys have donated over 10,000 bicycle helmets to children in Boston and across Massachusetts. Our goal is to encourage children to wear helmets every time they ride to prevent head injuries on bicycles. To learn more about our campaign, visit www.bwglaw.com/project-kidsafe/.
Photo Credits:
- Mattapan on Wheels: Photo taken by Donrick Pond. Courtesy of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Vigorous Youth Facebook page.
- Windsor Street Care Center, Cambridge Health Alliance Facebook page.
Breakstone, White & Gluck and Quincy Police Donate 100 Helmets to Fifth Graders at Bike Safety Presentation
Photo Courtesy: Quincy Police Department Facebook Page. Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign recently teamed up with Quincy Police to donate 100 bike helmets to fifth graders.
On a bike, wearing a helmet is the most important step, Quincy police officers said yesterday.
Breakstone, White & Gluck and the Quincy Police Department teamed up to give away 100 new bike helmets on Monday, during the department’s annual D.A.R.E camp at Pageant Field. But first, Lieutenant Bina and other bike safety officers shared tips for riding safely.
First, the officers said wearing a helmet saves lives and is the law for kids in Massachusetts. Officers then knocked down a big myth, that wearing a helmet does not look cool. “Oh, it’s definitely cool,” officers assured the kids. “And please share the message with your friends.” As proof, Lieutenant Bina modeled his own helmet. Everyone agreed. He looked cool.
Other tips? At red lights, cyclists must stop. But at crosswalks, officers suggested kids get off their bikes and walk across the street with pedestrians. Wearing bright colors to stand out is a must, while riding with friends is a good way to watch out for each other. And because bikes are too easily stolen, every cyclist should have a bike lock.
The officers’ final tip: always replace helmets if they crack, if you take a fall or are involved in a bike accident. Helmets must be in good condition to protect you.
Quincy Police Department is hosting roughly 100 students at its two-week DARE camp. The camp is open to students across the city, but space is limited and it fills up quickly. The camp provides students a way to learn about the police department, with visits from officers from all areas of the department, and to have a fun summer experience with other kids and police officers.
Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign have partnered with the Quincy Police Department twice this year, donating a total of 200 helmets for city kids. In April, we donated 100 helmets for the Healthy Kids Day event at the South Shore YMCA and for officers on patrol to give to children who needed one. This week’s donation went to older kids heading to middle school this Fall.
About Project KidSafe
Since 2013, Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign have donated over 10,000 bike helmets to protect children in Massachusetts. Our firm has represented cyclists who have been injured in bike accidents for over 25 years and we know that wearing a helmet can make all the difference for a cyclist. We are committed to protecting cyclists and preventing head injuries. Toward that goal, we have partnered with over 40 police departments, bicycle committees, community organizations and schools who are committed to keeping children safe. We are pleased to partner with Quincy Police.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
With over 100 years combined experience, the attorneys of Breakstone, White & Gluck fight for justice for those who have been injured by negligence and wrongdoing of others. If you have been injured, contact us for a free legal consultation at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Breakstone, White & Gluck and Boston Police Team Up to Give Bike Helmets to Kids
Attorney David W. White (center) with William G. Gross, Superintendent-in-Chief of the Boston Police Department (left) and Sgt. Gino Provenzano (right) of the Boston Police Department. Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to donate 200 bike helmets to the Boston Police Department this summer to help kids ride safely.
Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign are proud to partner with the Boston Police Department to keep children safe on bikes.
Our attorneys recently donated 200 brand-new bicycle helmets to the Boston Police Department. Over the summer, officers will give helmets away to children who need one as part of the department’s community policing efforts. So far, officers have put new helmets on children at the Villa Victoria Bicycle Safety Day, the Dorchester/C-11 Bike Rodeo and at the Condon Community Center in South Boston. These events are meaningful because kids get more than a new helmet. They get the opportunity to learn about bike safety and meet a police officer in their own neighborhood in a fun, relaxed setting, building trust and community relationships while learning how to ride safely and protect themselves from head injuries.
Breakstone, White & Gluck thanks the Boston Police Department for helping us for a second year. Attorney David W. White shared a nice visit with Superintendent-in-Chief William G. Gross and Sgt. Gino Provenzano at Boston Police Headquarters this week. They talked about bike safety and the department’s community policing work for kids across Boston. What tremendous work they do! By the way, Boston Police have their neighborhood flashlight walks starting up again.
See photos from some of the bike helmet giveaways on the Boston Police Department website.
About Project KidSafe
Breakstone, White & Gluck is committed to protecting cyclists of all ages and preventing head injuries. Through our Project KidSafe campaign, we have donated over 10,000 bicycle helmets to children in Boston, Cambridge and other communities since 2013. We have partnered with over 40 police departments, bicycle committees, community organizations and schools who are committed to keeping children safe.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
With over 100 years combined experience, the attorneys of Breakstone, White & Gluck fight for justice for those who have been injured by negligence and wrongdoing of others. If you have been injured, contact us for a free legal consultation at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates 500 Bicycle Light Sets to Boston Cyclists
Breakstone, White & Gluck is teaming up with Boston Bikes, the City of Boston and cycling groups this week to remind cyclists to use bike lights. All over the city, cyclists are being surprised with free lights (if they need them), as part of Boston Bikes’ #BeBrilliant campaign to keep cyclists safe.
Breakstone, White & Gluck donated the 500 bicycle light sets to Boston Bikes, which is part of the City of Boston, for the third year. Boston Bikes staff and volunteer groups have been giving the lights away this week in Dorchester, Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan, Roxbury, South Boston and Downtown. Groups include Rozzie Bikes, Commonwheels Bicycle Collective and Bike Dorchester.
Under Massachusetts law, cyclists must use bike lights to help them stay visible to motorists. Cyclists must have a white light on the front of their bike and either a red light or a red reflector on the rear. This is an important reminder since Daylight Saving Time ended last weekend and the nights are getting darker earlier.
“As evenings get dark earlier, people who are driving, walking and bicycling need to be more aware of each other than ever,” said BTD Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca, in an announcement posted on the city’s website. “Our top priority is ensuring the safety of people traveling on our streets, and we ask everyone to help us by slowing down and looking out for each other.
Here are a few safety tips for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
For Drivers
- Follow the speed limit
- Do not use cell phones
- Always yield to pedestrians
- When turning, slow down and look for bicyclists going straight
- Make sure you do not open your car door into the path of a bicyclist or another driver
- Do not park or stop in the bike or bus lane
For Pedestrians
- Always use crosswalks
- Avoid crossing the street between two parked cars
- Wear reflective colored clothing
For Bicyclists
- Always wear a bicycle helmet and use bike lights
- Bike in the same direction as traffic, unless the street is marked otherwise
- Stop at stop signs and follow all traffic signals
- Wear reflective colored clothing
- Use hand signals
- Yield for pedestrians
Bay State Bike Week 2016: Have Fun and Be Safe
Welcome back cyclists! Bay State Bike Week is here and many of you are commuting to work for competition, attending commuter breakfasts, and participating in events to make this work week pass a little faster. The goals are to help protect the environment, reduce traffic congestion, get a little exercise, and have fun with other cyclists.
Attorney David White and Marc Breakstone on Boston City Hall Plaza with our Project KidSafe tent and Project KidSafe helmets during Bay State Bike Week 2015. The event was Bike Friday and it was organized by Boston Bikes.
Breakstone, White & Gluck is pleased to participate as well. On Friday morning, we will join cyclists at the Bike to Work Day event on Boston City Hall Plaza. If you attend, please stop by our Project KidSafe tent and say hello to some of our lawyers! Boston Bikes is organizing the event.
Have fun and, as always, ride safely. Here are a few bicycling safety resources from our lawyers, MassBike, the Boston Cyclists Union, and other organizations:
Massachusetts Bicyclists’ Rights and Responsibilities
Our checklist of rights and responsibilities for bicyclists and motorists. Read more.
Wear a Bicycle Helmet
To help protect children and families, Breakstone, White & Gluck donates children’s bicycle helmets through our Project KidSafe campaign. Over four years, we have given away over 10,000 brand-new helmets to children who need one. Along the way, we often meet parents who want their children to be fitted for a helmet but do not have one of their own.
Every cyclist needs a bicycle helmet to protect themselves from a head injury in a crash. Bay State Bike Week is a good time check your existing helmet to see if it needs to be replaced. If it is worn or cracked, it is time for a new one! Learn how to properly fit a helmet. Here is a video with instruction:
“Shifting Gears: Bicyclists & Public Safety”
This 11-minute video was produced by MassBike, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Boston Police Department. The video was developed to provide police officers instruction on the laws for cyclists and motorists. But it is a good resource for any cyclist or driver.
Specific topics covered in the video include bicyclists’ right to use the road, dooring, safe passing, yielding to bicyclists on turns, parking in bike lanes, bicyclists’ compliance with rules of the road, hand signals, yielding to pedestrians, lights at night, wrong-way bicycling, and crash investigation.
What Every Massachusetts Bicyclist Needs to Know About Car Insurance
While we hope cyclists are never injured, it can make all the difference in the world to understand how your auto insurance policy works. Many cyclists do not realize this, but you can purchase extra coverage on your auto insurance to protect yourself if you are injured on a bicycle. This is important because there may be times when a driver does not have adequate insurance and you need to rely on your own coverage. Read more.
Facts About Cycling in Massachusetts
We answer questions about lights, hand signals, parking and more. Read more.
Trucks vs. Bikes
The Boston Cyclists Union has published this sheet to educate cyclists on the dangers they face when approached by some large trucks. Please read the sheet so you understand some of the risks.
According to Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, nearly half of all bicyclists and more than one-quarter of pedestrians killed in large truck crashes first impact the side of a truck. When a truck has high clearance, a cyclist can fall in the space between the front and rear wheels.
Mandated sideguard on large trucks have reduced cyclist deaths by 61 percent and serious injuries by 13 percent, according to a Transport for London study.
In October 2014, the City of Boston passed an ordinance, requiring truck sideguards, convex mirrors, blind spot awareness decals for city contracted trucks and tractor-trailers of a certain weight. Many trucks do not have to comply with the law, but this may change in the future. Legislation has been proposed to require truck sideguards statewide.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
Breakstone, White & Gluck is a Boston personal injury law firm which is committed to the safety of all bicyclists in Massachusetts. We have over 100 years combined experience representing bicyclists injured by the negligence of others. If you, or a member of your family, has been injured in a bicycle incident, please feel free to contact us for a free legal consultation at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form. Thank you and RIDE SAFE!
Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates Bicycle Helmets at Dedham Bike Rodeo For Third Year
Breakstone, White & Gluck returned to the Dedham Bike Rodeo yesterday for the third year in a row. We were happy to donate 120 new bicycle helmets to the kids at the rodeo.
Photo: Attorneys Ronald E. Gluck and David W. White of Breakstone, White & Gluck with Dedham police officers, including Neil Cronin and Bob Nedder.
Photo: Attorney David W. White with 4-year-olds from the Courtyard Learning Center in Dedham.
The Dedham Bike Rodeo was one of the first events we participated in after starting our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013 and we always look forward to it. It is an annual event organized by the Dedham Police Department and Dedham Parks & Recreation Department. Local children are invited to ride around at the Endicott Estate, then offered a free lunch. The Dedham Police Department raffles off free bicycles to a few lucky children. For the finale, the Dedham Fire Department brings in the hose truck and lets the kids run under the water to cool down. That was much needed yesterday, with the temperature over 90 degrees!
Attorney David W. White fitted the children for new bicycle helmets and talked to them about the importance of always wearing one. A child who wears a helmet significantly reduces their chance of suffering a traumatic brain injury in a bicycle accident. In Massachusetts, wearing a bicycle helmet is also the law for children and teenagers 16 years old or younger.
David has fitted some of the Dedham kids two or three times now over the years and it was nice to see them back, willing to wait in line on such a hot day. A lot of helmets from years past were still being worn by other kids.
Breakstone, White & Gluck donated the helmets as part of our Project KidSafe campaign, which we launched in 2013. To date, we have donated over 5,000 helmets and expect to reach 8,000 by year’s end.
Our goal is to encourage children to wear bicycle helmets and ride their bikes safely. Even though it is widely known that bicycle helmets can protect cyclists, many children still do not wear them or use ones which do not fit properly or are in poor condition.
It is important for children to wear helmets which fit properly and meet safety standards. Children are especially vulnerable to bicycle-related injuries and deaths, accounting for half of all cyclists who are treated in emergency rooms each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some 26,000 children are treated for traumatic brain injuries related to bicycling accidents.
We also encourage parents to always wear their helmets too. When children see their parents consistently wearing helmets, the use of helmets by children increases dramatically.