Some upcoming meetings about new planned bike lanes, a call for safer roads, and a bike ride:
Support a safer Route 16
Call or email your local legislators and ask them to support an earmark of ~$750,000 for a traffic study that is necessary to move forward with much-needed safety improvements on Route 16 in Cambridge, Somerville and Medford. The timing is immediate (i.e. in the next few days) as the earmark is being discussed this week in the Ways and Means Committee. This is important for residents of Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Arlington, Belmont and Watertown and for anyone who travels through this dangerous corridor. More details here.
Thursday March 10, 6-8 PM: two segments in Harvard Square
The city will discuss their protected bike lane plans for two short segments in Harvard Square that also function as high-volume bus stops: Garden St. to Church St. and Dunster St. to Plympton St. Join the webinar to learn more, and support adding safer bike infrastructure that interacts well with the need for bus transit.
Sunday March 13, 1PM – Cyclopolitan’s “Bike-to-Skate Lights Giveaway!”
Join Cyclopolitan for a short, moderately-paced family-friendly ride through Cambridge and Somerville, ending in Somerville’s Union Square. This ride has minimal elevation, and is appropriate for newbies and children alike! After the ride, stick around for ice skating and a bike light giveaway. For more details, see their event page.
Tuesday, March 15, 6-8 PM: Porter Square
This is the second meeting of three, where the city will share updates and more refined plans for the protected bike lanes they’ll be adding this year to a 1400-foot stretch of Porter Square. Add the event to your calendar so you can show up, express your support, help shape the designs, and ask questions. More info about the meeting here; click the red button on the left to add it to your calendar.
Speaking of Porter Square, here’s what happened at the city council meeting on Monday. Originally planned for spring, the city will be delaying implementation of this project until later this year:
- After extensive public comment, where “two-thirds … were supporters [of the bike lanes]” according to the Cambridge Day, the council and city staff discussed the City Manager’s requested delay.
- City staff emphasized that this delay is a one-off event, that they are proceeding with implementation this construction season, and that they plan to meet future deadlines.
- The council voted to accept the City Manager’s requested delay.
We are disappointed about this delay, but we appreciate the City’s continued support of the Cycling Safety Ordinance and their commitment to implementing the Porter Square protected bicycle lanes with only a short additional delay. You can read our full statement here.