Tag: commute

2018 Spotlight Award from MassRIDES

At the recent president’s picnic, Carlos Robles from MassRIDES presented our own Shoshana Blank with our 2018 Spotlight Award.  MassRIDES is a program of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) that works to reduce traffic condition and improve air quality in the state through partnerships with employers, colleges, and universities.

The Spotlight Award is given to companies and organizations that offer and incentivize sustainable commuting options. Tufts University was given an honorable mention for our various efforts to promote public transportation, biking, and other sustainable forms of transportation.

Many employees, staff, and students commute to Tufts Medford, Boston, SMFA and Grafton campuses on a daily basis. Sustainable transportation helps reduce traffic congestion, improves air quality, and supports strong local and regional economies.

Not only is biking and taking public transportation a more sustainable way to commute, it can also be a much more peaceful and rewarding endeavor! A driven commute during rush hours in Boston be incredibly stressful, so why not take public transportation instead? Instead of being stuck in stop-and-go traffic, you could be on a bus reading a book, or on a bike releasing some stress-relieving endorphins.

So how do we promote and facilitate public transportation here at Tufts?

Getting the word out:

All new staff hired at Tufts go through an orientation to encourage sustainable commuting. There, they are provided with information on programs like Bay State Commute and MassRIDE’s Emergency Ride Home which offer reimbursements and incentives for taking public transportation, carpooling, and biking. The Office of Sustainability also hands out commuting brochures to new students at all graduate student orientations and at a number of undergraduate orientation events.

Tufts Initiatives to Promote Sustainable Commuting:

  • This year Tufts started offering all of its employees a 35% discount on their MBTA passes .
  • Tufts Bikes, a student-run bikeshare, has 30 bicycles available for rent to encourage biking. Bikes and helmets are checked out just like library books, and can be kept for up to 8 hours.
  • We have 11 Zipcars on campus and the annual membership is discounted for students, staff, and faculty.
  • Shuttles connect the Medford/Somerville campus to the Davis Square train station, as well as to our SMFA campus in the Fenway. Live tracking of our shuttles is available on the Tufts Mobile app.
  • Students at the SMFA campus can receive Lyft credits for a Safe Ride between campus buildings.

Resources for Sustainable Commuting:

  • Our Sustainable Commuting brochures for the BostonGrafton, and SMFA campuses highlight many of the commuter benefit programs available to Tufts employees as well as information on MBTA discounts offered through Tufts, carshare and ride matching programs, and several public transportation options and routes.
  • Our Bike Guide publication and website illustrate where cyclists can lock up, get their bikes fixed at the FixIt station, and shower on campus.
  • The Tufts Eco-Map is available online, in print, as well as on the Tufts Mobile app and Google Maps. It shows features such as EV charging stations, Zipcars, Hubway bikes, Tufts Bikes bikeshare, MBTA bus stops, and Tufts shuttle stops.

 

Are you ready for Bay State Bike Week?

Bay State Bike Week

From May 9th-17th, Massachusetts will be celebrating Bay State Bike Week. Every May, residents across Massachusetts come together in celebration of human-powered, two-wheeled transportation. This is Bay State Bike Week. From Cape Cod to the Berkshires and everywhere in between, participants organize events like film screenings, bike breakfasts, festivals, and more, to have fun while encouraging new riders and raising awareness about bicycle transportation. Bay State Bike Week is a partnership between MassBike, MassDOT, and MassRIDES, in collaboration with local advocacy leaders, bike shop owners, and anyone else who likes seeing others go by bike. Massachusetts is currently the only state that hosts a statewide bike week. Each year, Bay State Bike Week raises awareness about cycling as an alternative form of transportation, a sustainable commuting option, and a fun form of exercise.

Safety Information

  • Smart Cycling Tips from the League of American Bicyclists
  • Go by Bike: A Guide to Bicycling in Massachusetts (English) (Spanish)
  • What Every Parent Should Know (English)
  • Child Safety Flyer (English)
  • Same Roads Same Rules Spoke Cards: These contain handy safety tips and can be handed out to both cyclists and motorists. (English) (Spanish)

There are many ways you can get involved with Bay State Bike Week:

mcbc2015MassCommute Bicycle Challenge:  Sign up to ride for the Tufts Team and log your miles daily (simply select Tufts University as your team when you register)! Awards and Prizes will be given to the team that logs the longest commutes, highest number of cyclists, and largest total mileage among others. Participate in daily raffles for registering, and compete for individual accolades as well. Registration is completely free. If you’re using social media, be sure to post using the hashtag #MCBC2015. The Office of Sustainability will be providing updates throughout the week on Facebook and Twitter.

You can also log your miles on NuRide for the chance to win these great prizes including: Dunkin Donuts Gift Cards, The North Face Backpack, Smith Optics Helmet, Zipp Bike Wheels, Sram Bike Accessories, and a Park Tool Bike Workstand.

Bike Fridays (Boston Metro Area): On Bike Fridays, you can join a bike commuter convoy from one of dozens of locations throughout the Boston metro area. Safe guided convoys with experienced ride leaders will follow a fixed schedule and route and finish together at City Hall Plaza in Boston. Because you rode your bike, you’ll get a free breakfast and coffee courtesy of Boloco, set to music amid an expo at City Hall Plaza. Join a convoy, or just show up for the fun at City Hall Plaza. Registration is free.

  • April 24th
  • May 15th – Boston Bike Week Festival!
  • June 26th
  • July 24th
  • August 28th

Bike Bash (Wednesday, May 27th): The Bike Bash is the event wrap up party which celebrates the conclusion of the MassCommute Bicycle Challenge! All Challenge participants are invited to join in on the celebration. The Bash is an opportunity to acknowledge and award our winning teams and all of our wonderful riders! It’s also a chance to raffle off all of the drawing prizes that have been donated by sponsors.

Visit the Bay State Bike Week event calendar for a list of statewide events and check out the Somerville Beat Guide to Cycling in the City.

Hubway at Tufts - Packard Avenue

Hubway at Tufts – Packard Avenue

For more information regarding biking at Tufts, visit our biking at Tufts web page.

Mar 30-Sep 28: GreenStreets Walk/Ride Day Commuter Challenge

Every last Friday of the month is the Green Streets Initiative‘s Walk/Ride Day – go car-free, check in your commute, and help Tufts win the inaugural Walk/Ride Corporate Challenge!

Walk Ride

Beginning March 30 until September 28, help create safe, healthier and more vibrant streets and communities by greening your commute.  Biking, walking, public transit, telecommuting and carpooling all count! The Corporate Challenge is a competition among Boston area employers to see which workplace has the highest percentage of staff going car-free or car-light on Walk/Ride Days.

Check in each Walk/Ride Day (the last Friday of every month) at http://greenstreets.mapc.org/.

All participants will also be entered into a raffle to win cool prizes.

Plan your green commute now and don’t forget to check in every last Friday of every month!

Sep 23: Massachusetts Car-Free Week Reception at the Office of Sustainability

Next week is Massachusetts Car-Free Week, a great opportunity to promote healthier modes of transportation for both yourself and the environment! Starting Sunday, Sept. 18th through Sept 24th, you can track your car-free and car-light trips and be eligible to win prizes. Pledge your commitment to be Car-Free for next week and start tracking your trips on Sunday.

To celebrate everyone’s involvement in this event, the Office of Sustainability is holding a reception on Friday, September 23rd at 11 am. The Office is located in Miller Hall (around the back on the parking lot side facing Hillel Hall) on the Medford campus. If you made an effort to reduce the number of single-occupancy trips in your car (even if it’s just one less day than usual), come join us for some refreshments!

Please pass this information along to your colleagues so that we can get as many people as possible traveling car-free next week! There is a flyer that you can print out and post in your department to help raise awareness.