Back Bay separated bike lane project facing criticism
A plan to install separated bike lanes along one of Boston’s busiest corridors is being met with strong opinions.
The upcoming project calls for the installation of separated bike lanes on Berkeley Street, Boylston Street, a block of Beacon Street and two blocks of Columbus Ave.
A statement from the city of Boston sent to Boston 25 News says “the new lanes will create continuous, comfortable rides through the Back Bay from Fenway and the South End.”
The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay is expressing fierce opposition over the new separated bike lanes.
“It’s likely to congest traffic even more,” said Elliott Laffer, chair of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay. “We think that rather than make it safer for people it’s going to make it less safe.”
Laffer said he feels bicyclists may feel a false sense of security along several congested thoroughfares.
He believes bicyclists will face dangerous encounters with traffic when attempting to make turns at busy intersections.
He points to a stretch of Berkeley Street near Beacon Street leading to Storrow Drive as a major concern.
“I’ve said publicly that I think, at some point, someone will die, and the someone who is most likely to die is someone on a bike,” explained Laffer.
The upcoming protected bike lane project will join others that’ve been under construction for years in Boston.
It’s part of Mayor Michelle Wu’s ambitious goal to put 50 percent of the city’s population within a 3-minute walk of a protected bike lane.
“You’re going to see safe road use be encouraged because of those bike lanes,” said bicyclist Eitan Ehrlich. “[There’ll be] fewer people weaving out because they feel like they’re seen by the construction and the way the street is designed.”
The city is hosting a drop-in session about the new Back Bay bike lanes on Saturday, June 17th, at the corner of Berkeley and Boylston Streets from 2-4 p.m.
Residents will have the opportunity to view the design plan, ask questions and learn more about the project.
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