Below are some of the streets that are currently in design or construction and that impact the future of safe bicycling in Somerville. What can you do to support great projects?
- Let your elected officials know that bicycle safety and protected bike lanes matter to you and that you vote for candidates that support implementing the Somerville Safe Streets Ordinance (SSO) and building the priority network of protected bike lanes (PBL) by 2030. Find your elected officials.
- Follow street improvement projects and make your voice heard! Get involved early in the design process – this is when input can best be incorporated! Sign up for Somerville Bike Safety action alerts, the City’s Mobility newsletter to find out about upcoming public meetings. Get three friends to join you!
- Say thank you for good work! It’s easy to complain, but equally important to recognize when we make progress. Let the mayor know that you appreciate a new PBL, shop at a business along a new PBL and let them know that you biked there, post your supportive comments on social media.
Western Pearl Street – in design
The City is in the design process for the reconstruction of Western Pearl from McGrath Highway to Medford Street. The bike priority network calls for this section of Pearl to have protected bike lanes (PBL) in both directions. Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets (SASS) wrote a comment letter after the initial design expressing disappointment in the lack of PBLs. Unfortunately, the most recent design does not have continuous PBLs, and has no information about how an equally safe and convenient alternate route will be incorporated into the project.
What can you do?
- Take the City’s survey and express your opinion about the need for safe bike infrastructure for the entire street
- Email or speak to your City Councilor and express your disappointment that the design does not support the SSO. (see the list of councilors here)
- Follow the project and attend future public meetings
Highland Avenue – ???
The city committed to rebuilding Highland Avenue with PBLs as far back as 2023, the priority bike network plan has the street designated for two-way PBLs, and the project webpage notes that design would begin in July of 2025. However, there has been no public communication about the status of this critical project in over a year.
What can you do?
- Email the mayor and ask for a public project update
- Reach out and volunteer with SBS to work on a campaign to get the Highland redesign restarted
West Broadway Reconstruction – in construction
West Broadway from Route 16 to Teele Square is in construction. The final design includes protected bike lanes in both directions, which is great news! Some local businesses have complained about the removal of parking on social media. What can you do to help?
- Shop at businesses on the corridor and let them know that you biked to their business
- Thank the city staff that is implementing the project at transportation@somervillema.gov
- Let the candidates for Ward 7 Councilor know that you support the PBLs on West Broadway. Emily Hardt and Wilbert Pineda
Resources
Somerville Bicycle Network Plan | Bike Priority Network Map | 2025 SSO Annual Progress Update
City’s Pavement and Sidewalk Management Plan | Somervoice – all projects