Cambridge Cycling Safety Ordinance
Cycling Safety Ordinance
In October 2020, the Cambridge City Council amended the Cycling Safety Ordinance to require the installation of approximately 25 Miles of Separated Bike Lanes Across the Entire City, Including the Whole Length of Mass Ave., within the next five to seven years. Their design has severely impacted businesses, pedestrians, traffic and all who use Mass Ave. A design is needed that allows for safe streets, and supports our residents, businesses, elderly and disabled.
The Map shows the City of Cambridge’s proposed network of protected bike lanes, from its 2015 Bicycle Plan, Updated in 2020. Proposed amendments to the city’s Cycling Safety Ordinance would require at least 22.6 lane-miles of this network – including the specific segments highlighted in red dashed lines – to be built by 2026.
Click on Map for Larger image, Map Courtesy of the City of Cambridge.
Now we need to speak up and make our needs and concerns known.
Signing our petition will keep you informed of what the City of Cambridge is proposing, upcoming meetings, and important developments in installing the separated bicycle lanes so you have a chance to be part of the planning process.
We deserve a plan that works for everyone.
Cambridge Streets for All filed a Lawsuit
Cambridge Residents & Small Businesses File Lawsuit versus City of Cambridge Over Removal of Parking
Cambridge Streets for All (CSA), a group of Cambridge Residents and Businesses was formed due to their concern for the impact of the design and process of the Cycling Safety Ordinance. Recognizing that traditional advocacy is not working, CSA has filed a lawsuit against the City of Cambridge on June 10, 2022. Along with the lawsuit, about 30 affidavits from businesses and residents who have been harmed were also filed.
Cambridge Streets for All is seeking relief from the court system to stop the redesign of 26 miles of our city streets from continuing until the validity of the Cycling Safety Ordinance is examined, and all stakeholders are heard. This action is not against bike safety but against a process that excluded residents and businesses, lacked balance and thoughtful analysis upfront about impacts and was done during the pandemic.
At the bike-lane lawsuit initial hearing Thursday 06/23/22, with Middlesex County Superior Court judge John Pappas granting the sides until the end of business on Monday 06/27/22, to submit more information. For further details read about the hearing Marc Levy’s Cambridge Day article
Click on Image to Read the Complaint
Brattle Street: Between Mason St & Mount Auburn St
Brattle Street between Mason Street and Mount Auburn Street and make improvements to pedestrian crossings.
Design:
Two way separated bike lane to one side of the street eliminating most of the parking on the westbound side of the street
2nd Community Meeting Tuesday June 21
Click here to view the Presentation slides.
Phase One:
Brattle St from Mason St to Sparks Street will be done this year
Phase Two:
Brattle St Sparks St to Mt Auburn Street Will be done next year
Let the City know how you use the corridor and what you think of the project. Click here to fill out a short survey
Garden Street: Huron Ave to Mason St. near Cambridge Common
Next Meeting Tuesday, July 12, 6:00-8:00 pm
Through this quick-build project, the City of Cambridge will install separated bike lanes on Garden Street from Huron Avenue to Mason Street near Cambridge Common.
Link to Maps Showing Parking Scheduled to be Removed
Most likely all parking will need to be removed from Huron Ave to Linnaean St and Linnaean St to Chauncy St including approx. 90 permit parking spots in order to install the Separated Bike Lanes
May 24 Meeting:
Garden Street. Survey includes: the questions asked during presentation and a few more questions about how you use . Click here to complete the survey
To join the mailing list for this project, click here.
Porter Square Beech St to Roseland St
Quick Build Separated Bike lane Porter Square
The Bike lane is scheduled to be completed by the Fall of 2022
Median Removal Beginning June 9
A section of median between Roseland Street and Upland Road
MBTA Overhead Catenary Wires Removal Beginning June 11
Link to Parking and Loading Maps
Project Timeline
The City expects to implement separated bike lanes along the corridor in July. Pavement marking work will occur at night. Parking and lane closures are expected during this time. Work is weather dependent
Porter Square Survey is an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes to Porter Square Plan eliminates metered Parking on Mass Ave without creating improved bike lanes at the intersection of Mass Ave And Somerville Ave. It does not provide enough parking to support our businesses, Elderly, disabled and all others who need to depend on cars Click Here
North Mass Ave
North Mass Ave: Alewife Brook Parkway to Dudley St Metered Parking allowed in Express Bus Lane 9am - 10pm
Quick Build Bike Lanes installed November 2021
Link to Parking & Loading Maps
10 x 1–2 hour Metered parking spaces have been restored to Mass Ave between 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM on the Inbound Side. Parking spots are marked with white hash marks.
MassAve4 Dudley St to Beech St and Roseland to Waterhouse
Mass Ave Bike Lanes:
MassAve4 Project Page
The City Council Meeting April 25, voted in a timeline for the Mass Ave4 which includes partial construction and allows until June 2024 to finalize a design, and construction to be completed by 2026.
City Council Meeting Monday April 25 2022 Video
MBTA Trolley Catenary Wires and Parking
The MBTA wires limit access to buildings for the ladders of Fire Trucks. Originally the Traffic Department had stated that if the MBTA wires remained up all parking would be removed. Once the MBTA wires have been removed the Traffic Department thought they would be able to maintain 40-50% of the current parking.
