State Launches Driver Education Resources to Improve Safety For Bicyclists

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) today announced a new set of driver education classroom resources that will help prepare future drivers to safely share the road with people bicycling. 

Developed in partnership with MassBike and LivableStreets Alliance and supported by federal funding from the National Safety Council, the new resources give driver education instructors practical, up-to-date tools for teaching safe driving behaviors around bicyclists. The materials focus on key safety topics, including Massachusetts' four-foot passing law, safe turning at intersections and checking before opening a vehicle door to help prevent "dooring" crashes. 

"Every new driver should graduate from driver education knowing how to safely share the road with people who bike," said Galen Mook, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition. "These resources are designed to catch the attention of new drivers, and give instructors practical tools to build awareness, reduce conflicts, and help create safer streets for everyone." 

Bicycling continues to grow as both a popular form of transportation and recreation throughout Massachusetts, making it increasingly important that new drivers understand how to safely interact with people riding bicycles. The driver’s education module covers essential topics such as recognizing bicyclists' rights and responsibilities, yielding appropriately, navigating intersections, anticipating common riding behaviors and preventing common crashes. 

The classroom resources include instructional videos, presentation slides, lesson plans, discussion prompts and one-page reference materials that can be easily incorporated into existing driver education courses. The module aligns with current Massachusetts traffic laws and nationally recognized roadway safety best practices. 

The resources emphasize that roadway safety is a shared responsibility. By helping new drivers better understand the perspective and behavior of bicyclists, the program aims to reduce crashes, improve predictability, and encourage respectful interactions between all road users. 

The resources are available at no cost to driver education instructors, schools, and training programs throughout Massachusetts. 

For more information or to access the classroom materials, visit www.massbike.org. 

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.