Boston Places Cyclists at Danger by Eradicating Shield Bike Lane Obstacles

Bicyclists in Boston are going through a brand new problem as protecting obstacles alongside a number of bike lanes have been eliminated. In areas like Again Bay and the Newmarket part of Massachusetts Avenue, flexible-post bollards and modular concrete strips that offered separation from visitors have disappeared. The elimination has raised considerations amongst cyclists, who really feel much less secure with the obstacles gone.

“We’re extraordinarily involved with the course the Metropolis of Boston is heading in because it pertains to road security. That is coming after a shock announcement of a 30-day evaluate course of to look into modifying or probably take away progress made on our streets,” stated Mandy Wilkens, a spokesperson for Boston Cyclists Union.

“The latest act of eradicating protecting bike obstacles on 3 essential streets with none warning or communication is extraordinarily regarding to us. Nonetheless the town has offered little or no phrase concerning the reasoning or meant plans surrounding the elimination.”

Town said that the bollards on Arlington Road have been eliminated for upkeep after being broken by winter storms, although no timeline for his or her return was offered.

Biking advocates are pissed off, noting that eradicating the obstacles will increase the chance of accidents. In 2024, there have been 366 bike owner crashes in Boston. Some cyclists are additionally upset by the shortage of discover earlier than the adjustments, as they’d invested years of effort into securing safer bike infrastructure.

With out the obstacles, bike lanes have develop into much less safe. Supply automobiles, Ubers, and even motorized scooters now usually occupy bike lanes, making it extra harmful for cyclists.

“All of those have been both essential connections, excessive crash zones or each. By putting in these security options, it introduced an inflow of latest customers, particularly those that wouldn’t have dared to journey them earlier than. Eradicating them means demolishing the belief that these new riders gained and nearly actually in the event that they’re left this manner it would imply crashes or worse,” Wilkens added.

“Town has the sources to do higher. This isn’t nearly bikes, that is about pedestrians, that is about kids, that is frankly concerning the security of drivers as properly. Succumbing to the rhetoric that secure streets lose elections doesn’t simply set our motion again, it would value lives.”

The elimination of the bike lane obstacles comes amid political tensions round bike infrastructure in Boston, with some residents and enterprise homeowners opposing the area devoted to bikes. Moreover, Mayor Michelle Wu has launched a evaluate of latest road infrastructure adjustments, which may affect future selections on bike lanes.

And, this pattern isn’t restricted to Boston, however this misguided and ill-informed transfer to take away secure biking infrastructure can also be underway in different cities comparable to Toronto.