Charles River TMA’s Mass Commuter Challenge

May is National Bike Month and the Charles River TMA is participating in the Mass Commuter Challenge that is being put on by MassCommute.  The Mass Commuter Challenge takes place from next Monday May 17th to Friday May 21st.  There is still time to register.

Biking is definitely getting more attention since the rise in gas prices a while back.  Even now gas prices starting to get to the $3.oo mark per gallon.  The challenge is a way of incentivising people to commute to work.  Putting aside any moral incentives like reducing our reliance on foreign oil and therefore decreasing our “need” for certain wars biking has many benefits.  Biking provides great exercise which can improve health and general physical well being.

May is also a great month to start a biking plan.  Whether you are looking to commute long term or use it for exercise the weather is usually turning the corner about now and getting more predictable.  In Cambridge you can also see many students that use their bikes as a primary mode of transportation.  Bike paths are becoming more common as some of the roads are redone.  A good example of that is Blanchard Road over here in the Fresh Pond are of Cambridge.  Though I must say bikers need to practice safety habits because some of these bike paths are not very wide.

What is also cool about the challenge is that it concludes with a “Bike Bash” that takes place on the 26th of May at 5:00pm.  It will be held at One Kendall Square and Flat Top Johnny’s Bar and Grill.  I’m not sure if you are going to have to play pool since I hear Flat Top Johnny’s the place to be for pool but it sounds like a lot of fun.

We have written about the Charles River TMA before.  It’s members and programs strive to make a difference in the commuting lives of those living and working in Cambridge.  I have been meaning to buy a bike and lose some weight.  Is this a sign?