Councilor Linehan Opposes

Bike Lanes on Broadway

City Councilor Bill Linehan has raised some serious concerns about plans for bike lanes on Broadway.  Safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and vehicle traffic is the biggest concern.  After the meeting on this subject was held last month, it is also clear that there was not appropriate outreach to businesses on Broadway or all affected residents by the meetings’ organizers.

Bikes are allowed on local streets already and neighborhood bicyclists are welcome to bike up to Broadway to do some shopping.  Providing a designated lane for bikes on Broadway however would encourage all bicyclists, including commuters, to use Broadway.  A designated lane would signal to bicyclists that Broadway is the safest option, when clearly it is not.

Councilor Linehan would also like to see bike lanes placed on one-way streets wherever possible.  This allows for more room for both bikes and cars.  He’d also like to reduce the speed limit on these streets to create a safer atmosphere for bikes, cars and pedestrians. 

Representatives from Councilor Linehan’s office have been present at all Southie Bikes meetings and the lead organizer of Southie Bikes met with Councilor Linehan in his office to discuss bike infrastructure improvements.  Many bike improvements were discussed and Councilor Linehan has worked to get several of them approved, such as additional Hubway bike share locations for South Boston and bike lanes on A St.  Councilor Linehan will continue to work on better transportation initiatives for all.

Councilor Linehan, added, “There is room for all modes of transportation on city streets.  It is important that we provide infrastructure, and therefore options, to folks that prefer not to drive and to encourage them to do so.  However, it is equally important that when we make the decisions on where to provide these options, we consider how it affects safety and the neighborhood businesses.”

If you have any questions, please contact Councilor Linehan’s Office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].  You can also follow him on Facebook, Bill Linehan and Twitter @linehanbill.