FAQs

Protected bike lanes are separated from vehicle traffic either by a buffered area with vertical barriers or raised to sidewalk level. Vertical barriers can include plastic "flex” posts, planters, and pre-cast concrete curbs. In Quick-Build projects, we often use flex posts.

The Somerville Bicycle Network Plan envisions an 88-mile network of streets and paths where people of all ages and abilities will be able to bike safely and comfortably. The Plan aims to vastly expand biking infrastructure and provide greater connectivity so that residents, workers, and visitors can bike to schools, parks, jobs, businesses, and other key destinations in Somerville. To learn more, visit somervillema.gov/bikenetwork.

Adopted in June 2024, the “Safe Streets” Ordinance furthers the City’s efforts to accelerate street safety and accessibility improvements by reaffirming Somerville’s Complete Streets approach to street improvement projects, incorporating the goals for the City’s Bicycle Network Plan into street design and ensuring work to increase accessibility. This can include elements like improved bus stops and traffic calming installations. It includes executing the goals detailed in the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan and the ADA Title II Transition Plan, in addition to completing the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan’s 40-mile priority network by 2030.

The Pavement and Sidewalk Management Program mainly focuses on surface work and does not include major impacts to utilities and water or sewer. Our teams do review drainage infrastructure and sometimes move infrastructure to accommodate new installations on the street like raised crosswalks or sidewalk extensions. This area already underwent utility work (completed summer 2025) as part of the Central Broadway Water Main Upgrades project. 

Our team reviewed all the feedback collected through the Broadway Corridor Study project related to transportation and mobility. Our aim is to use that feedback to inform the early development of this project and ensure that our future design meets the vision for the street for the future.

Our aim is to ensure that all of the bicycle facilities have protection and that this protection is sturdier than existing plastic flex posts to separate bicycle lanes from motor vehicle travel lanes.