The group trying to kill the upcoming separated bike lanes on Broadway is hosting a rally at City Hall a week from Monday (June 9th, rescheduled from June 2nd). It is possible that a councilor will advance a policy order to eliminate Broadway bike lanes at City Council that day. Canceling the Broadway safety project is just the start: one of the organizers is the chair of Cambridge Streets For All, the group that previously sued to remove every quick-build separated bike lane in Cambridge.
Email the Council and tell them to continue with installation of bike and pedestrian safety improvements on Broadway (email council@cambridgema.gov and CC clerk@cambridgema.gov and info@cambridgebikesafety.org if that link doesn’t work).
Before you hit send, if you live in North Cambridge read on for another topic for your email to the Council—
Adding a community-requested Linear Park connection to Westley Ave
The city is currently working on planning improvements to Linear Park, the park between Davis Square and Alewife. Improvements involve planting more trees, irrigation infrastructure for future droughts, play structures and more, as well as improvements for people walking and biking.
On this Monday’s Council agenda is a policy order by Councilor Nolan, along with Councilors Sobrinho-Wheeler, Azeem, and Vice Mayor McGovern, asking the City to add a connection point from Linear Park to Westley Ave. There is currently an 8-block stretch with no southern connections, compared to four northern connections. This extra connection point would make the park far more accessible to residents of the area south of the park. This connection was specifically supported by many residents, in both survey responses and comment submissions on the project website.
If you live in the area and will benefit from this additional park connection, please write to the Council in support, and consider signing up to speak in support in public comment at Monday’s (June 2nd) Council meeting.
Support automated traffic enforcement
Automated enforcement uses cameras to detect and ticket vehicles that speed or run red lights. It is a proven public safety tool used in many states and countries to reduce dangerous driving behavior, prevent crashes, and save lives. Unfortunately, Massachusetts law does not allow its use—even though evidence shows that automated enforcement reduces crashes by up to 50% at dangerous intersections and along high-speed corridors.
On Tuesday, June 3rd at 11:00 AM, the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation will hold a public hearing on automated enforcement. The bills—H.3754 and S.2344—would legalize the use of automated enforcement in Massachusetts. These critical measures are sponsored by Representatives Owens and Cruz and Senator Brownsberger.
Please write to Siobhan.Morrissey@mahouse.gov to provide written testimony to the state committee hearing in support of automated traffic enforcement for speeding and running red lights.