BioBus Bike Blog

Explore sustainable food by bike on our 4th Annual Tour de Farms!

Riders at the Copley Sq. Farmers’ Market

Have you heard the term localvore? Do you like incredibly fresh, seasonal produce? Being a localvore means choosing to help the environment by choosing to buy local food with a minimal carbon footprint. Pick which sounds better, an heirloom tomato picked the day you buy it or a tomato that has sat in a truck for a few hundred miles?

Farm stop on Tour de Farms 2009

In an effort to show people how easy it is to eat locally, we’re sponsoring our fourth annual Tour de Farms. It’s a guided tour of urban gardens in Somerville, community farms in Waltham and Newton, and Boston’s oldest commercial farm. You’ll also get a chance to sample fresh, locally grown food and learn more about the benefits of local agriculture, and how you can actively support these efforts.

Tour de Farms 2009 departure

The ride will have a moderate paced leg of 15 miles and then a faster paced section of 20 miles for more advanced riders. The ride will be led by experienced riders including the UA crew and there will be technical support in the case of flat tires – but please be sure to bring extra tubes and tools. We’re also offering rental bikes for those who would like to participate but don’t have their own bicycle. Be sure to register for the ride in advance, as it has sold out in past years.

You heard me right. It might not be the city’s program and it might not have a million satellites, but the basic idea is already in place with Urban Bike Share.

Bold? Risky? Nah, just think of it as a membership to a really cool bike program where you get great deals and can experience all the joys of cycling without having to own a bike. Here’s the basic breakdown:

- 10 or 22 Bike Bucks.
- Free guided tour of Boston to teach members the ins and outs of city riding.
- Discount on registration for Hub on Wheels.
- Donation to Livable Streets Alliance, Hub on Wheels, MassBike and Bikes Not Bombs.
- Discount on merchandise, tours, additional Bike Bucks and rental accessories.
- Lifetime discounted membership with Zipcar.
- E-newsletter full of updates on local bike events.

There are two tiers or membership, the 3-Speed and the 10-Speed with the 10-Speed providing more Bike Bucks. Bike Bucks are valued at one buck per 24 hour hybrid rental, which always includes a helmet and a lock.

We also want to make sure that our members are comfortable riding in the city and we offer suggested routes for all Urban Bike Share members. We’re all about promoting more bikes in Boston and hope to ensure safe, city-smart riding with our Bike Share.

“I already own a bike” you say? Urban Bike Share membership gives you access to our full fleet of bikes including those gorgeous Allezs for that first big charity ride or triathlon. Bike Bucks are also great for visiting friends or family who want to go ride with you. Membership also gets you discounts on our tours, to get those friends and family out of your hair, and on all our merchandise. Perhaps gifts for said family?

So don’t worry about storing a bicycle or even having to maintain it. We’ll take care of all of that. Just come ride with us and bring your family and friends.

It’s on. The tandems are here and our guests could not be more psyched. Just look at these cruising machines. Classy right? This is exactly what we mean by pedal power. What could be more delightful, more romantic than an evening ride around the waterfront? Really I’m just jealous, it’s hard to make the light sent of olive oil seem too romantic for anyone in the passenger seat. But onward we go, rolling into summer. It’s June already! Though we’re a bit late with this post, we did say “Rabbit Rabbit” yesterday. It’s an age old tradition for the first of each month to get some good luck. While there isn’t a rabbit’s foot on my ignition keys, what small green business couldn’t use a little bit of good luck?

We could certainly use more great events like the Mass in Motion ride. This campaign to promote wellness and healthy habits gave us a chance to ride with Governor Deval Patrick and the great team at Bikes Not Bombs from the State House out to the Bikes Not Bombs Armory St. shop for an awesome cooking demonstration with help from Laria Foods and Chef Ming Tsai.

Click the photo for more great pictures

Up next: Bikes Not Bombs BIKE-A-THON!