Despite High Ridership, Bike Crashes Spike Slightly

There were nine bike-related deaths between 2010 and 2012, a period that saw significantly increased bicycle ridership in Boston.

Bike-related crashes spiked a small amount given the higher ridership in the Boston area over the course of the last two years. Mayor Thomas Menino’s office released the City of Boston Cyclist Safety Report May 15. The report, which analyzed data from the last four years, found that bicycle related crashes were up 2 percent according to the Boston Police Department and 9 percent according to Boston EMS between the period of 2010 and 2012. Boston Police data shows an increase of 11 bike crashes, from 477 to 488, between 2010 and 2012, and the EMS data shows a spike of 44 crashes, from 477 to 521, during the same period, according to the report. The discrepancy exists because The Boston Police Department reports crashes only on Boston roads…

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Outpatient Victims to Receive One Fund Boston Payments

Claims are being accepted through June 15, and funds will start being distributed on a rolling basis on June 30.

Boston Marathon bombing victims being treated as outpatients at Boston-area hospitals are eligible to receive One Fund Boston payments.  Claims are now being accepted through June 15, and money will start being handed out on June 30 on a rolling basis, according to One Fund Boston's website. The final protocol and prioritization for victims was also released through the website. Individual death claims, double amputees and those who suffered permanent brain damage are the top priority. Previously, One Fund Boston administrator Kenneth Feinberg had estimated the families of the three victims who died from the bombings could receive $1 million. "Money is a pretty poor substitute," Feinberg said at one of the Town Hall meetings held to …

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American Red Cross Launches New 'Boston Strong' Page

The new page offers tips to help those coping with the attacks at the Boston Marathon.

The American Red Cross launched a new website one month after the bombings dedicated to helping those affected by the bombings recovery fully.  The Red Cross has been involved in the Boston Marathon for decades, usually providing physical relief and care to runners. "Never could I have imagined we’d be talking about a response to the Boston Marathon that included taking a central role in Disaster Mental Health, aid to the families of the injured and deceased, and a role in helping our community heal," said Jarrett Barrios, CEO, American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts. "But that’s where the volunteers I work with were needed after the Boston Marathon Bombing, and where we stay, offering assistance." The new web page includes tips for …

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Five Things

Key Endorsements in 8th District Race

See when One Fund claim forms are due.

SONG OF THE DAY: "All Along the Watchtower" by Dave Matthews Band Good morning, Back Bay! Here are five things you need to know today, Monday, May 20: 1. KEY ENDORSEMENTS: In case you missed it, check out our report on some key endorsements last week for Democrats Joshua Dawson and Jay Livingstone, who are running for the 8th Suffolk County House of Representatives seat. 2. ONE FUND CLAIM FORMS: Victims of the Boston Marathon bombings can file claims through June 15, to possibly receive One Fund Boston assistance. Funds will start being distributed by June 30. 3. GET THE PATCH NEWSLETTER: Have you signed up for the Back Bay Patch Daily Newsletter yet? Each morning you can get Back Bay Patch news delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. It'…

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Should DUI Alcohol Limit Be Lowered To 0.05 Percent?

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends reducing the limit. Some say it would save lives. Others say it's unreasonable.

One drink could be the standard for drunken driving – at least for some people if the National Transporation Safety Board has its way. On Tuesday, the NTSB recommended states lower the blood-alcohol threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent. What do you think? Is the proposal reasonable? About 10,000 deaths a year are related to drunken driving. The NTSB says the lower limit would save 500 to 800 lives a year. Officials at the American Beverage Institute called the proposal "ludicrous." It said the average woman could reach the 0.05 percent limit by having one drink. There were 114 DUI fatalities in Massachusetts in 2012, representing 34 percent of traffic-related fatalities last year, according to Mothers…

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AAA Offices To Provide EZ-Pass Transponders

Ahead of the Memorial Day travel season, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has joined with AAA to make EZ-Pass transponders more readily available.

With the summer travel season coming up, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation wants drivers to cut back on cash and link up to the EZ-Pass system. MassDOT has joined AAA of Southern New England to make EZ-Pass transponders available at over 15 AAA offices, according to a press statement Thursday. According to the statement, there are still over 155,000 daily cash transactions on toll roads throughout Massachusetts. With the state heading toward a cashless toll system beginning with the removal of cash tollbooths on the Tobin Bridge in early 2014, state transportation officials are encouraging motorists to get ahead of the changes by enrolling in the EZ-Pass program early. “The availability of transponders at AAA branches is one …

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Have You 'Liked' Back Bay Patch on Facebook?

If not, you're missing out on some of the best Patch info out there.

We hope Back Bay Patch has become part of your daily routine, that we're the first place you go each morning to find out what's happening in the town you call home. If Facebook is also part of your daily routine, you should know that you can get the latest Back Bay Patch news and information from our Facebook page, too. By liking our page, Back Bay Patch news will show up on your timeline each day. That way you can stay connected just by checking your Facebook. If you like Back Bay Patch (we mean literally, if you like what we do), and you're on Facebook, make sure you hit the "Like" button on our pages so you can get the latest updates. We are hoping to get over 1,000 likes as soon as possible. We can only reach our goal with your help. …

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