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Bicycle Friendly Community

Somerville, MA | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: A collaborative, yet varied approach to improving cycling opportunities within the community, with strong support from Mayor Curtatone, multiple City departments, the Bicycle Committee, and advocacy & non-profit organizations has enabled rapid progress in cycling initiatives in Somerville in recent years.
The City of Somerville will be incorporating additional stop lines/bike boxes into future transportation projects, including the Union Square redevelopment. In conjunction with Safe Routes to School, Somerville school students in grade 5 participate in the Cycle Kids program. The Cycle Kids program teaches students bicycle operation and safety skills. The program began in 2004, with Somerville as one of two pilot communities. The City of Somerville also runs the award winning "Shape Up Somerville" program, an integrated, city-wide campaign to increase daily physical activity and healthy eating options. Bike month events have included a Community Ride, Commuter Breakfast and inaugural "SomerStreets" event. Participation for the Community Ride was estimated at approximately 100 riders. LIFT-Somerville, an advocacy organization that aims to reduce poverty and increase economic opportunity within the community, offers the LIFT-Bike Project that provides refurbished bikes, helmets and locks to clients seeking job training support, and that cannot afford a vehicle or transit pass. Those seeking development approval must present a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan in support of their application.

Compelling Statistic: In 2010, the City began its first comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle counting program. Counts are conducted at 36 locations around the City, twice a year in the Spring and Fall. The counts are being used to support City-wide planning efforts and to prioritize infrastructure investments.

Greatest Accomplishment: The "10 in 2010" Initiative: With support from the Bicycle Advisory Committee & Mayor Curtatone, the City of Somerville aimed to add 10 new miles of bicycle infrastructure in 2010, which would more than double the City's existing infrastructure. By late Fall 2010, 11.1 miles of new bicycle infrastructure (8.5 miles of 'sharrows', 2.6 miles of bike lanes) had been added, representing a 137% increase in cycling infrastructure. Total bicycle infrastructure citywide increased from 8.1 miles in 2009 to 19.2 miles in 2010! This will continue this year with an “11 in 2011 Initiative.”