Boston Plans Big Expansion Of Bike Routes, Road Safety Elements

BOSTON, MA — Boston is planning to expand the city's bike network by about 9.4 miles, which comes during a time of heightened transportation stress with the Orange and Green line shut-downs.

The plan announced Tuesday Mayor Michelle Wu and Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge would expand the Boston bike network enough over the next three years so that about half of residents are within a three-minute walk of a safe bike route.

"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," Wu said at a Tuesday news conference.

Other parts of the initiative include building more raised crosswalks, adding about 100 new Bluebikes stations and hosting learn-to-bike workshops for Boston residents.

Officials also announced plans for new bike lanes along the following streets:

• Allston-Brighton: North Beacon Street, South Street, Western Avenue, Winship Street
• Back Bay & Downtown: Berkeley Street, Boylston Street, Milk Street
• Fenway/Kenmore: Commonwealth Avenue, Hemenway Street
• South End & Bay Village: Albany Street, Berkeley Street, Charles Street South/Tremont Street
• Mission Hill: South Huntington Avenue
• Jamaica Plain: Boylston Street, Green Street, Eliot Street, McBride Street, Seaverns Avenue, South Huntington Avenue
• Roslindale: Poplar Street

Bikes offer an alternative during major gridlock events — like the T shut-downs — but are also part of the solution to climate change, city officials said.

"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," Franklin-Hodge said.