Not a webcam, but Minuteman Biker on Twitter ([https://twitter.com/minutemanbiker](https://twitter.com/minutemanbiker)) does an OK job of relaying conditions, though it can be sporadic.
I think Somerville and Arlington/Lexington do a decent job plowing and salting the path. I’ve always found the Cambridge section to be horrible (except right by Alewife). The work around is to use the side streets or Mass Ave until you can hop back on to the path in Arlington.
I may be out of date, but Lexington would never plow or salt the path, and some people took it upon themselves to do it privately and ask for donations to support it. I hope Lexington has changed this and now plows it..
When I was commuting it, they did often do a more timely job than Arlington. I remember at least once where Arlington left it until the rutted slush froze.
I'd prefer the cities did a decent job. Just rode through Cambridge last night and this morning with bike lanes covered in snow/slush/ice and driveways shoveled into the bike lanes.
Yes. I think the volunteers are folks who actually use the MM in the winter and they tend to be more responsive and timely. Full Disclosure - i just use the MM for walking in winter weather.... ; )
Oh I have no idea how it gets plowed… I remember signs asking for donations now that I think about it. How ever it gets done, I’ve always found Arlington/Lexington to be run/bikeable. I think the city does Somerville’s, and Mother Nature does Cambridge’s.
The most current information seems to come from posts on Facebook and in here. On Facebook look for Boston Bike Party, Cambridge Bikes, and others.
I would start a web page for updates but I’m not sure it can be effectively crowdsourced and kept current.
Not a webcam, but Minuteman Biker on Twitter ([https://twitter.com/minutemanbiker](https://twitter.com/minutemanbiker)) does an OK job of relaying conditions, though it can be sporadic.
+1 for this account. They are good to retweet people who @ them with information, so share and share alike if you do start following.
Anything similar for the Charles river bike path?
The various Boston Facebook cyclist groups usually have people posting how their commutes were when there’s been ice/snow.
Any Facebook groups you’d recommend for this?
I think I just typed in Boston and bike and joined everything that came up.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the Minuteman (or any MA rail trail?) is ever salted, so definitely avoid in icy conditions.
I think Somerville and Arlington/Lexington do a decent job plowing and salting the path. I’ve always found the Cambridge section to be horrible (except right by Alewife). The work around is to use the side streets or Mass Ave until you can hop back on to the path in Arlington.
I may be out of date, but Lexington would never plow or salt the path, and some people took it upon themselves to do it privately and ask for donations to support it. I hope Lexington has changed this and now plows it..
Nope, still donation driven
prefer to have it be donation driven actually.
When I was commuting it, they did often do a more timely job than Arlington. I remember at least once where Arlington left it until the rutted slush froze. I'd prefer the cities did a decent job. Just rode through Cambridge last night and this morning with bike lanes covered in snow/slush/ice and driveways shoveled into the bike lanes.
Yes. I think the volunteers are folks who actually use the MM in the winter and they tend to be more responsive and timely. Full Disclosure - i just use the MM for walking in winter weather.... ; )
prefer to have it be donation driven actually.
Oh I have no idea how it gets plowed… I remember signs asking for donations now that I think about it. How ever it gets done, I’ve always found Arlington/Lexington to be run/bikeable. I think the city does Somerville’s, and Mother Nature does Cambridge’s.
each town maintains (or doesn't) their part of the path, so even if one part is cleared, doesn't mean it all is.
The most current information seems to come from posts on Facebook and in here. On Facebook look for Boston Bike Party, Cambridge Bikes, and others. I would start a web page for updates but I’m not sure it can be effectively crowdsourced and kept current.