The Inman Square redesign took another step forward this week when the City Council sent a strong statement of support by a vote of 7-2. In addition to thanking those City Councilors who supported this project, we want to thank City Manager Louis DePasquale and the entire city staff for their hard work on this essential redesign that will improve safety for everyone traveling through the square.
This project is an excellent example of the city living up to its Vision Zero commitment, responding to tragedies like the unnecessary death of Amanda Phillips with real and substantive changes to street design. The inclusion of protected bike lanes throughout the project will be a critical step toward a city-wide network of bike lanes that are safe for people of all ages and abilities. The proposed safety enhancements for pedestrians, improvements for bus riders, and new public spaces will also create a more welcoming square.
Our volunteer group represents thousands of parents and students, youth and senior citizens, employees and employers, and homeowners and renters, all of whom bike through the city or want to bike but are too afraid to do so now. Inman Square is one of the most dangerous intersections in Cambridge. The redesign is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that responds to the pleas from these residents to create streets where people feel safe to visit whether they are traveling by foot, bike, bus, or car.