On Thursday night, December 4, the City of Cambridge will host an open house to give residents, especially cyclists, an updates on the Bicycle Network Priority Plan and Map. The informal, drop-in event will take place at Cambridge College, Room 152, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
At the event, attendees will be privy to all of the materials and current plans for revamping Cambridge’s streetscape to the benefit of cyclists. Much of the items and data are based on a survey taken earlier this year of over 700 residents who voiced their concerns that the city needed to do more to make it bike-friendly.
According to background information provided by the city, the master plan will be designed to promote the health and environmental benefits of cycling, as well as what can be done to improve safety measures.
Another major goal is to “create a city that’s safe for anyone from the ages of 8 and 80 to be able to work or bike independently. This will mean the city is safe for all.”
Interestingly, the background information goes on to showcase a number of different bike lane iterations the city could ultimately opt for. From designated bike lanes to fortified cycle tracks, the variations are intended not to stifle any vehicular traffic all the while securing cyclists from rogue drivers.
Recently, the Pearl Street reconstruction project came under fire because its current respective proposal contains a feeble attempt to accommodate bikers. Though that project is also still in its early stages, and the proposals could be revised before ground is broken in 2015, the thought put into bike infrastructure in this case is lacking adequate thought.
In fact, page 46 of the background information slideshow depicts Pearl Street as one in need of route improvements. On page 59, it says that both cyclists and motorists prefer protected bicycle facilities.
That’s not to say all of bike projects down the pipeline are deficient. The Grand Junction Bike Path, for example, is poised to become one of the most innovative mixed-use paths. The various land parcels upon which the bike is slated to cut through are owned by multiple entities. Each one is working on a proposal for their parcel, and when combined could create the likes of which we’ve never seen or biked on.
With all of these ideas floating around, it’s great that Cambridge is making all sides of any argument available for the public to digest. This is, after all, their city and by piquing their interest and crowdsourcing their ideas, everyone will be better for it.
Be sure to check out the event tonight at 5 p.m. in Room 152 of Cambridge College.
