Editorial: Boston Is Becoming the Amsterdam of America
Amsterdam is a city where there are bikes on every street. There is no street without bikes and bikers.
This fall, protective bike lanes are coming on Boylston Street in Back Bay as part of the city's effort to increase access to sustainable transportation and improve traffic safety. The existing bike lanes on Brookline Avenue in the Longwood Medical Area and Emerald Necklace paths will now be connected by new bike lanes. The construction began towards the end of August. The Boston Transportation Department has not yet set the start day.
Boston has been working in the last few years to improve the streetscape of Boylston Street in Fenway, making it safer and more accessible for people who live, work and visit the neighborhood. Many sidewalks along this area have been widened through building setbacks and reconstructed by developers to include street trees and clear travel paths. Such improvements for pedestrian safety and access will continue.
Infographic describing former and projected future bike paths in Boston proper.
The plan is that in 2030 all residents will have better and more equitable travel choices. At the moment, there are 58 projects in process. Building out the Boston Transportation Department network of protected bike lanes makes bicycling a more realistic option for people who might otherwise choose to drive. This saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and improves air quality, and promotes active living. It also makes it easier for people to consider living car-free. The more space used for the climate goal, the less space there is for car storage.
Boston cyclist organizations have requested a second bike lane on Charles street, making it cyclist-friendly. Charles Street has five lanes for cars. Boston Cycle Union Executive Director Becca Wolfson thinks it would benefit everyone if one lane were turned into a bike lane for both directions. The cycle organizations are happy to see that the last mayor, Martin Walsh, has made progress in the city's goal to have 32 miles of separated bike lanes by 2022.
