Safer, More Accessible Walking and Biking

We have continued to expand the Bluebikes system to every neighborhood in Boston, with 267 total stations, a discount pass program for Boston residents, and 750 e-bikes introduced into the fleet.

The Summer Street Pilot ended in June 2024. We’re currently evaluating potential refinements to improve transit and traffic operations.

We published the Tactical Public Realm Guidelines in 2018 and have since implemented plaza and public realm improvements across the city, including Tontine Crescent (Downtown), Edgerly Plaza (Fenway) and Phillips Square (Chinatown).

In coordination with the Squares + Streets initiative, we made improvements to Mattapan Square, Hyde Square, Roslindale Square, Egleston Square, Centre Street (West Roxbury), Chinatown, and Nubian Square.

We reduced the default speed limit to 25 mph and introduced the “Boston’s Safest Driver” app to encourage safer driving. We implemented corridor improvements on Beacon Street, Kneeland Street, and Tremont Street.

The Neighborhood Slow Streets program developed and constructed traffic-calming projects in 15 Boston neighborhoods. The program was renamed Safety Surge in 2023 with the commitment of an additional $12 million by Mayor Wu.

We have added 9 miles of separated bike lanes in Boston since adopting Go Boston 2030. Another 5.5 miles are in construction or pre-construction; 20 of the 26 original projects currently are in implementation or design.

We installed the region’s first center-running bus lanes on Columbus Avenue in 2021. The installation of Phase 2, from Jackson Square to Ruggles Station, is ongoing.

We implemented protected bike lanes on Tremont Street in 2023. The implementation of similar improvements on Bennington Street, Cummins Highway, and more is ongoing.

We installed wayfinding signs between Four Corners and Codman Square in 2021. We will explore additional wayfinding as part of the Fairmount Line implementation program.

We have completed designs for the Fenway Path, Roxbury-Fenway Connector, and the Arboretum Path, with a majority of the projects in the Green Links Plan implemented or in implementation.

The project was expanded into a multimodal project and the next phase will explore access improvements to the Green Line service west of Packard’s Corner with the MBTA.

We installed safety improvements and bike lanes around the Public Garden and Tremont Street, which were rebranded as Connect Downtown.

This project is currently in design by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Morrissey Commission, MassDOT, the Boston Transportation Department/Streets Cabinet, and the Boston Planning Department.

The newly approved and funded project will redesign Blue Hill Avenue with center-running bus lanes. Construction is set to begin in 2026.

We published new traffic signal guidelines in 2024 and are implementing them across the city. The new guidelines include guidance on evaluating bicycle, pedestrian, and safety data.

We implemented short-term improvements in 2021; upcoming work is being coordinated with other construction projects.

This project was rebranded as a component of the ongoing Columbia Road Transportation Action Plan Project.