Mike Ross, Mayoral Candidate Talks Transportation

Released onto his website several days ago Mike Ross, who is running for Mayor (along with half the city), released the following about his plans for cycling infrastructure: (Read the entire thing here, and here)

Make Boston the #1 city in America for cyclists

As Boston continues to grow and thrive, our transportation network must include a wide range of options that provide a safe, affordable, convenient, and sustainable alternatives to driving. Biking is an essential component of that network and I am committed to making Boston the Number One city in America for cyclists. To achieve that, residents of all ages and backgrounds need to feel safe and secure while biking in Boston. Mayor Menino helped improve the state of biking in Boston, and I will build on that work in the following ways:

A Commitment to Expanding Boston’s Bike Infrastructure 

• Prioritize funding for bike programs in the city budget and seek a transportation commissioner with a background in cycling and a commitment to multi-modal transportation and “complete streets” design principles.
• Build a network of dedicated, separated cycle tracks that connects every neighborhood to each other.
• Continue to add miles of bike lanes to city streets across all neighborhoods.
• Plan for connected bike routes between city parks.
• Increase wayfinding signs for bikers in all parts of the city.
• Increase the number of curbside bike racks, bike shelters, and bike corrals.

Address Boston’s Most Dangerous Intersections

• Establish a Problem Intersection Task Force to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians at key intersections across city.
• This multi-agency, community-connected effort will work to identify simple street improvements that can be implemented ahead of comprehensive “complete street” redesign efforts. Sometimes all that is needed is to move a bus stop 50 feet or install a turning signal to make a dangerous intersection safer.

Increase Education and Awareness For Cyclists and Drivers

• Partner with universities to teach and promote bike safety to incoming students.
• Leverage community partners to teach bike safety in Boston Public Schools.
• Promote bike safety and awareness to drivers, especially MBTA bus drivers, truck drivers, and city employees.
• Strive to create a culture of mutual respect and responsibility among cyclists and drivers.

Expand and Extend Hubway

• Support the expansion of the Hubway station network to all neighborhoods, especially those underserved by public transit.

• Extend the Hubway season year-round.

• Continue to support subsidized memberships for low-income residents to encourage transit equity.

Now I can’t rightly say I have done enough research to see what all the many many other candidates are saying about bicycle infrastructure, but from reading this plan I can’t find much I don’t like.  It is a basic level headed approach that combines a lot of tried and true strategies.

I don’t know enough about Mike Ross to tell you if you should vote for him, but I can totally get behind his bicycle transportation plans.

If you are a mayoral candidate, or work for one, or just like one, send me a link to your candidates bike plan and I will highlight it on the site.  Whats that?  You don’t have a bike plan…maybe its time to get one!

What do you think of this plan?  Leave your thoughts below.

Add to Reddit.

Tweet

View The Boston Bike Network Plan Tonight

Check out the list of events below, and also be sure to check out the boston bike network plan tonight at the BPL, should have lots of new and fun bikey goodness planned for next year.

—————————-

There are four important public meetings coming up this week and next.   All these meetings are great opportunities to give feedback on long term projects that will have great benefits for cycling.

• Wednesday Nov 16 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Boston Bikes is having a review of the Boston Bike Network Plan at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square lower level McKim Room A.
• Thursday Nov 17 from 7 – 9 p.m. DCR will present plans and ask for input on the Neponset River Greenway Improvement Project at the Foley Senior Residences, 249 River St. in Mattapan
• Monday Nov 21 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mass DOT and the Casey Overpass Working Group will present plans and asks for comment on the Casey Overpass reconstruction project at William A. Hinton State Laboratory 305 South StreetJamaica Plain
• Newly added Tuesday Nov 22 from 6 – 8 p.m. Mass DOT is holding a public meeting on the future of Morton St. – attend and ask for a cycle track to be installed – Mildred Ave. School 3 Mildred Ave., Mattapan (thanks to BCU for the heads up)

(thanks for the heads up DotBike)

Add to Reddit.

Tweet

Boston Announces Plan For Upcoming Bike Lanes!

Got this in the email….seems that Boston is running cycling as fast as it can to catch up with more bike friendly cities like New York and Cambridge.

I for one am very impressed with the amount of effort they have put in over the last couple months. The problem was how far behind we started. If they can keep up this level of infrastructure improvement in a couple years Boston will be a pretty kick ass town to ride a bike in! Huzzah to the city, and huzzah to keeping up this pace!

Interesting things to note about this press release

“bike network currently being designed” and “This project is part of a greater project to create a complete network, with accessibility to existing facilities in the network including the South West Corridor and Arnold Arboretum.” = WEEEE! A bike grand plan yes, we have needed one of these for a long time, lets hope they involve the local neighborhood bike groups and MassBike, Livable Streets and others in the planning.

“At the northern end, 12 on-street parking spaces will be removed between Arboretum Way and Ukraine Way” = YIPPY! I have come to the conclusion that on street parking is a bane to everyone (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and businesses) anytime we can kill a couple is a good time.

Press release below.

———

Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes to install bike accommodations on Belgrade, Corinth, South and Washington Streets

What are bike lanes?
Bike lanes are sections of road designated for exclusive use by cyclists.

What are shared lanes?
Shared lanes are sections of roadway designated to be shared between bikes and cars. A bike symbol is added, but no lines to indicate an exclusive bike lane. These are often used when there is not sufficient space for a dedicated bike lane.

Why install bike lanes?
Belgrade, Corinth, South and Washington Streets are important parts of the bike network currently being designed by the City. These roads in particular, help cyclists traveling between West Roxbury, Roslindale, Forest Hills and ultimately downtown Boston. It is only fitting to make this road as safe as possible, for all users.

What about safety?
Bike lanes are proven to make the roads safer for all users. They do so in the following ways: Provide guidance for vehicles wishing to pass cyclists; Designate safe riding zone for cyclists; Encourage cars to drive at slower, safer speeds; Encourage cyclists to bicycle more respectfully and predictably; Reduce the number of cyclists biking on the sidewalk; Make pedestrians and vehicles more aware of cyclists.

What are the project limits and scope?
The City will install bike accommodations on Belgrade, from West Roxbury Parkway to South Street; on South Street from Belgrade to Washington; on Washington from south Street to the Forest Hills T and Corinth, from Belgrade to Washington. This project is part of a greater project to create a complete network, with accessibility to existing facilities in the network including the South West Corridor and Arnold Arboretum.

What is involved with installation?
Work will take place over 1-3 days, in October, typically between 7 AM and 3 PM. Parked cars may need to be temporarily removed.

Will parking be impacted?
With the exception of the northern end of the project, parking will not be impacted by the bike lanes. At the northern end, 12 on-street parking spaces will be removed between Arboretum Way and Ukraine Way. Impacts are anticipated to be minimal as off-street parking is generally available in this area.

Will traffic be impacted?
In general, traffic will not be impacted by this project. Changes are proposed between Arboretum Way and the Ukraine Way. Currently Washington Street operates as two lanes southbound from the Forest Hills Orange Line station to just north of Arboretum Way where it becomes one lane southbound. To accommodate bike lanes in this area, the lane switch from two lanes to one will be moved north as the center southbound lane at Ukraine will become a left turn only lane and one southbound lane will be provided south of this point.

Contact Nicole Freedman, Bike Programs Director, 617-918-4456,
[email protected]

Boston Bikes is part of Mayor Menino’s vision for a vibrant and healthy city that benefits all its citizens. It seeks to make Boston a world-class bicycling city by creating safe and inviting conditions for all.

Add to Reddit.

Tweet