Cambridge Police To Give Out Free Safety Gear During Bike Week

CAMBRIDGE, MA — If you've been needing a bicycle light, one of those drawstring backpacks or other safety gear for your bicycle, you might be in luck: this week Cambridge Police will be giving away bicycle lights, safety gear, safety whistles and drawstring backpacks, at several outreach events throughout the city in the name of Bay State Bike Week.

They'll also be handing out an updated version of Street Code, which details the rules and etiquette of the road for bikes, pedestrians and cars.

Why? This week, from Monday May 14 through May 19, is Bay State Bike Week and the Cambridge Police and Community Development Departments are involved with the aim of increasing the safety of all people who walk, bicycle, drive or walk, according to a press release.

Events
Police Officers and city employees from the Community Development Department will be stationed around the city to giveaway safety gear, fliers with bike safety tips and address any questions or concerns at the following dates and areas:

Monday, May 14: 7:30-9:30 a.m. Bike Safety Outreach/ Bicycle Breakfast @ University Park

Tuesday, May 15: 7:30-9:30 a.m. Bike Safety Outreach/ Bicycle Breakfast @ Alewife T Station

Wednesday, May 16: 7:30-9:30 a.m. Bike Safety Outreach/ Bicycle Breakfast @ Harvard Square (in front of Dudley House)

Thursday, May 17: 7:30-9:30 a.m. Bike Safety Outreach/ Bicycle Breakfast @ Kendall Square (Broadway/Binney)

Thursday, May 17: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Drop-In Bicycle Workshop @ Collins Branch Library

Saturday, May 19: 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Citywide “Bow Tie Bike Ride” @ Main Library & around city

*See the full list of events Community Development Department on their website.

Safe Routes Rides at Schools
Safe Routes Rides encourages upper school students to walk and bicycle to school safely. Officers will be visiting the Putnam Avenue Upper School, Vassal Lane Upper School, and Rindge Avenue Upper School to conduct demonstrations and provide safety tips and information. Thirteen different sessions will be conducted at the three schools between May and early June.

Bicycle Patrol
With the warmer weather, the Cambridge Police Department will once again have a full staff of bicycle patrol officers riding around city streets and neighborhoods. These officers not only help provide residents with a greater sense of safety around the city, but they will also be promoting safe driving, riding and walking, as well as enforcing traffic laws in the Commonwealth. One area of emphasis will be keeping bicycle lanes clear from illegally parked vehicles. Cambridge Police will also aggressively seek and look to mitigate bicycle theft.

Got a photo from bike week? Tag it with: #CambMARoads

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Photo at the top courtesy Cambridge Police.