Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Walking

Pedestrians take advantage of expanded walking areas on Beacon Street in Brookline in mid-April. Brookline officials have repurposed on-street parking areas to provide additional space for safe physical distancing in commercial districts and on key routes to area hospitals; City of Boston officials may soon follow suit. Photo courtesy of the Brookline Transportation Department.

MassDOT Announces $1 Million in Grants for Pandemic ‘Shared Streets and Spaces’

By Christian MilNeil | Jul 23, 2020 | No Comments

The first round of grant funding will create safer walking routes to schools in Chelsea, a new bus lane in Somerville, and new protected on-street pathways in Lowell.

An overview map of Belmont's "phase 1" Community Path project, which would extend the existing Fitchburg Cutoff bike path in Cambridge to Belmont's town center. Courtesy of the Town of Belmont Community Path Committee.

Belmont Advances Its Plans for New Mass. Central Rail Trail Segment

By Christian MilNeil | Jul 18, 2020 | No Comments

When the project is complete, there will be a continuous off-street pathway that links Belmont to the Boston Harbor waterfront in Charlestown.

Proposed signage for Cambridge's "shared streets" network, part of the city's strategy to provide safe physical distancing routes for car-free residents to get around the city. Courtesy of the City of Cambridge.

Cambridge (Finally) Announces Citywide Shared Streets Network

By Christian MilNeil | May 28, 2020 | No Comments

The conceptual network would extend "all the way from Fresh Pond and Danehy Park, through Harvard Square and down towards Kendall Square... with another piece running down from Central Square to the river along Magazine Street."

A network of quick-build bike lanes will take shape in downtown Boston this summer as part of the city's "healthy streets" initiative. Courtesy of the City of Boston.

Mayor Walsh Announces Details of New ‘Healthy Streets’ Initiative

By Christian MilNeil | May 28, 2020 | No Comments

The initial plans include a network of new protected bike lanes across downtown Boston and around the Public Garden, expanded bus stop waiting areas, and processes to let restaurants expand their outdoor seating areas on sidewalks and on-street parking lanes.

A new survey of Massachusetts residents found that many people expect to walk and drive alone more often - and use transit less - than they did before the pandemic. Courtesy of MassINC Polling Group.

New Poll Forecasts Fewer Trips, Large Mode Shifts on the Streets This Summer

By Christian MilNeil | May 28, 2020 | No Comments

A new poll from the MassINC Polling Group shows that many Massachusetts residents expect to make fewer trips once the state begins to reopen this summer, and when they do travel, they expect to ride transit much less often – and walk or drive more – than they did before the pandemic. MassINC conducted a […]

Boston Plans Expanded Sidewalks, Expedited Bike Projects for Pandemic Recovery

By Christian MilNeil | May 12, 2020 | No Comments

City of Boston staff are proposing to expand pedestrian space into on-street parking areas, build pop-up bike lanes, expand waiting areas at busy bus stops, and close some residential streets to through traffic in a wide-ranging strategy to support car-free mobility in a new era of physical distancing. City officials discussed these strategies and several […]

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