Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Transportation Department have announced a 9.4-mile expansion of bike lanes providing key connections within the City’s existing bike network and the launch of a Citywide design process to bring safer streets to every neighborhood.
This new project is part of the mayor’s plan to build on her commitment to create safe streets for all modes of transportation. To execute this plan, Boston is expanding Bluebikes to accommodate rising demand, designing traffic-calmed streets by building speed humps and raised crosswalks, and hiring more staff to aid in the design process.
The mayor made the announcement at a press conference with community organizers from Bikes Not Bombs and Mattapan Food and Fitness, and representatives from BTD, the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet, the Environment Department, the Community Engagement Cabinet, the Mayor’s Office of Housing, and the Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion.
“Now more than ever, the health, well-being, and economic empowerment of our communities depend on people having safe, reliable ways to get where they need to go,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.
“We’re working to transform our streets so all road users are protected, and everyone can benefit from the opportunities across our city. Building out a safe, connected cycling network will help close transportation gaps across our neighborhoods and advance our efforts to make Boston a city for everyone.”
“Bikes and e-bikes will play an important role in increasing access to reliable, affordable transportation in Boston and in helping to address the climate, safety, and congestion impacts of our overreliance on automobiles,” said Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge.
“Today’s announcement moves us closer to a future where biking is a safe and convenient option for people of all ages and abilities in every neighborhood of Boston.”
The next three years will see the expansion of their bike network, growth of their public bike share by 40%, raised crosswalks and additional speed bumps, help for 600 women to gain confidence in riding bikes in Boston’s free learn to bike workshops for women and gender diverse adults.
Enabling more trips by bike is essential to reaching our climate and public health goals. Approximately one-third of Boston’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. Of that, 65 percent comes from passenger vehicles.
These emissions create public health and environmental dangers for our residents and disproportionately harm marginalised and environmentally justice communities. Delivering the Mayor’s vision will create a space where people can move, safely, reliably, and efficiently by transit, on foot, or by bike.
