For the fourth year, I will be biking from Boston to Montreal to raise money for the Boston Cyclist's Union. The BCU is a non-profit organization that advocates for cyclists and safe biking infrastructure.

Better bike infrstructure isn't just good for cyclists, it's good for pedestrians and neighborhoods too. In urban areas, over 50% of trips taken by resudents are typically under 6 miles - distances that are easily walked or cycled. This is not always possible, however, if there are no sidewalks or a shoulder large enough to ride on. Reducing cars on the road for short trips like this reduces emissions, congestion, and parking woes, ultimately benefiting everyone. 

Safer infrastructure is also a question of equity: when a new, protected bike lane goes up, it's likely to be in a wealthier neighborhood, despite the fact that those most likely to cycle daily include those from low income households and people of color. Traffic fatalities at the cyclist and pedestrian level also occur more often in low-income neighborhoods. Bike shares can remove an economic barrier but these are most often concentrated in downtown areas, and do not extend to further neighbors, thereby leaving a huge part of the population underserved. 

Your donations help the BCU advocate for safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians, and bridge the economic gap that exists between many people and the ability to bike.