BOSTON – Construction of one Bike path that will span Boylston Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Arlington Street started Sunday, and not everyone is happy about it.
“I think the problem really is going to be that you’re going to go from three lanes to two lanes in a lot of areas, and a lot of people are going to be double parking,” said a man driving along Boylston Street on Tuesday. .
CBS Boston
Where is the Boylston Street bike path?
The project will create a dedicated bike lane on the south side of Boylston Street, from Massachusetts Avenue to Hereford Street. The bike path then switches to the northern side of Hereford Street all the way to Arlington Street. From Ring Road, Boylston Street will also have a dedicated bus lane, limiting vehicular traffic to just one lane between Ring Road and Dartmouth Street during rush hour.
“It’s great for me. You know, I don’t have to dodge cars. I don’t have to worry about getting run over,” said one motorcyclist who spoke to WBZ-TV.
Some say the cycle path is pointless
Meg Mainzer-Cohen, the president and executive director of the Back Bay Association, said the plan helps bus drivers and cyclists at the expense of walkers and drivers.
“My concern is that they’re not doing enough research into the impact this will have,” Mainzer-Cohen said. “Here’s what we know: We know there are 30,000 pedestrians passing through this intersection. There are about 13,000 vehicles. There are about 625 bicycles and about 320 buses.”
Who is affected by the cycle path?
Mainzer-Cohen noted that the plan also shortens pedestrian crossing times at certain intersections. WBZ-TV measured the crossing time at the intersection of Berkley and Boylston streets and found it to be 17 seconds.
“I see seniors. I see individuals with disabilities. We shouldn’t shorten the time it takes for them to cross the street,” said Boston City Councilman Ed Flynn.
Flynn said Back Bay residents did not get enough input into the plan, which eliminates about 90 parking spaces. He points to concerns raised by some businesses in West Roxbury following a bike lane project there.
“Longstanding businesses have stated that the significant changes to Center Street have also negatively impacted their businesses.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Mayor Michelle Wu’s office said the Boylston Street plan will prevent cars from turning on active sidewalks and protect pedestrians.
“The city has been working with local residents and business owners to gather feedback on the plan, which will improve pedestrian safety, update curb rules and reduce conflicts,” the statement said.
Construction of the project is expected to take three weeks.
Louisa Moller
