Bike Commuter Breakfast Draws More Than 100 Cyclists

Despite the misty weather, more than 100 cyclists, many dressed in neon yellow and green rain jackets, attended the Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee's first free commuter breakfast Wednesday morning. 

The breakfast was one of many city-sponsored events organized this week to celebrate Bay State Bike Week.  

The committee held the breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Beacon Street Star Market parking lot. Members served bottled water, juice, bananas and doughnuts that the grocery store donated to them for the event. They also served scones from Petsi Pies 

The committee had set out its annual cycling report and bike commuter count, which sparked discussion about local issues. Visitors, including MassBike Director David Watson, talked about in Somerville, including recently filled potholes and painted bike lanes and sharrows. But they also discussed the drawbacks and dangers of biking in the city, namely the and the casualties in Davis Square. 

Matti Klock, 28, had biked from Fresh Pond for a free scone and was on her way to Kendall Square. Klock was participating in the MassCommuter Challenge, a competition that encourages people to cycle to work or school, and had already ridden 21 miles. 

Klock had heard about the breakfast on the committee's unofficial website. However, many of the attendees hadn't known about the committee before stopping by, member Ken Carlson relayed in an e-mail. Some 34 people signed up to receive e-mails and volunteer requests, he said.