May 7, 2024 - Boston has a real cycling mayor in Michelle Wu, and the City has initiated bold plans for transforming its streets to better serve people who are walking, rolling, and riding bikes.

The current cycling network includes 59 miles of off- street paths, 29 miles of separated bike lanes, and 15 miles of neighbourhood routes. Over the next two years, the
city plans to complete 12 more miles of high-comfort bike facilities and close gaps on low-stress bike routes.

Other projects are in the works as the city updates its long-range Go Boston 2030 transportation plan, while expanding the bicycle network so that 50% of its residents will be a 3-minute walk from a safe and connected bike route.

According to a survey by MassINC Polling Group in 2021, 50% of Boston respondents would ‘probably’ or ‘definitely’ bike more if separated bike lanes were in their neighbourhood. A whopping 77% of Boston respondents supported building separated bike lanes, even if some space for driving or parking was removed.

The City plans to increase the modal share of cycling from 2% to 10% according to the Go Boston 2030 transportation plan.

Along with prioritizing biking and walking across the City’s agencies, more than half of the 58 projects in the Action Plan are underway, including building 15 Neighborhood Slow Streets zones to traffic-calm residential streets, completing 15 miles of protected bike lanes, and making improvements at 15 corridors with safety challenges over the next four years.

In addition, the city’s Bluebikes Bike Share program supports 4,000+ bikes, and 400+ stations, while servicing 13 municipalities. Ridership is up about 20% over last year, and the system is slated to grow by 40% while adding more than 100 new stations. In December 2023, e-bikes were added to the program — a total of 750 units are initially planned.

In the fall of 2023, the City launched Boston Delivers, an 18-month pilot program to provide on-demand delivery services by e-cargo bike in the neighbourhoods of Allston and Brighton.

In spring 2024, an e-bike incentive two-year pilot program is planned to provide a discount to seniors, adults with disabilities, and low-income residents. The city expects to support about 1,000 Boston residents in purchasing an e-bike.

Safety is another key issue. In May 2023, Mayor Wu and Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge announced the City’s Safety Surge, a new street safety program designed to curb speeding, reduce crashes, and make neighbourhoods more comfortable and safer for walking, biking and driving.

The local speed limit is 25mph (40kph) and speed bumps will be installed in 30 more community zones, starting with 10 in 2024. A total of 75 raised crosswalks at parks, libraries, community centres and schools are planned as well.

Vision Zero Boston prioritizes safety and takes a people- first approach to transportation and community building.