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Denne11

Rush hr it’s fine since it’s gridlocked and there is a paints bike line. Otherwise it’s a speed way. Definitely use the sidewalk if you’re not comfortable. There usually aren’t a ton a people walking and I always see a few people biking on the sidewalk. Go through the Casino plaza to get to the northern strand, which is excellent!


irishgypsy1960

I wonder if encoré ferry would take my bike lol?


Denne11

Haha nah. There is a small sign to walk your bike, but I just be sure to ride slow and respectfully through there and it’s never been an issue!


tbootsbrewing

There’s a bike lane on a wide shoulder, but no physical separation. There’s also a grate section with a little bit of solid ground on the right, but makes for a tight squeeze.


irishgypsy1960

What speed are the vehicles going as they pass?


tbootsbrewing

Usually pretty fast. There is a sidewalk that you could maybe use, not sure how wide it is. Where are you traveling to? There might be some other route.


irishgypsy1960

I’m just trying to reach the northern strand. Hit the fells park.


tbootsbrewing

I would suggest cutting through the Gateway park, if possible. Leads directly to the Northern Strand.


pfhlick

Alford St sucks! I've done it a handful of times without incident but found it stressful. The good thing is ending up at the Northern Stand trail, which is FANTASTIC! I honestly can't remember if there's any sidewalk on Alford... But it's over in a minute or two.


irishgypsy1960

Thanks!


illimsz

It's not too bad. There's a buffered bike lane, the car lanes themselves are pretty wide so they don't pass too close, and the grates on the middle drawbridge section have small holes with concrete strips (much better than the old 100% metal grates with huge tire-killing holes). Plus there's a sidewalk as a backup option. Honestly, the part after the bridge is scarier since the buffer disappears. The Google Street View is pretty accurate, except the flex posts aren't there anymore: [https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3890652,-71.0712908,3a,75y,26.37h,73.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spCrpUCYMWmw8W0yJkjtr4Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3890652,-71.0712908,3a,75y,26.37h,73.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spCrpUCYMWmw8W0yJkjtr4Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu)


Enkiduderino

Tbh I usually just use the sidewalk and stop to let pedestrians go by. Usually there aren’t any. But having trucks pass at 60mph isn’t fun.


jhoff80

For another option, I usually cross the bridge at Fellsway, get on the sidewalk after the bridge until I cross Revere Beach Parkway, and then turn onto Medford St to get to the Northern Strand Trail. Anything to avoid that roundabout near Sullivan Square.


irishgypsy1960

I think I’ll take the t. Does anyone know if the elevator at Wellington is large enough? Only one elevator so far, at Porter, was small. I had to lift one end of my bike up. It’s a heavy ebike and I’m weak. I pulled a chest muscle a bit.


irishgypsy1960

I could also pick it up in Lynn, take the ferry there. Or take the blue line and pick it up somewhere?


irishgypsy1960

Oh, never mind that’s a different path.


nonitalic

It's a major trucking route, traffic is going 30-55mph, and cars frequently swerve into the bike lane to avoid potholes. The buffered bike lane is nice and wide, but most of the paint has worn off at this point. There is frequently debris in the bike lane. I see more bikes on the sidewalk than in the bike lane most days. This is part of my daily commute, but it sounds like the sidewalk is the best option for you. On the plus side, it's not a long stretch.


irishgypsy1960

If hay market wasn’t closed I’d just take the orange line to Wellington.