Improving Pedestrian, Wheelchair and Bicycle Access

In addition to the pedestrian and bicycle accommodation improvements that should take place as part of our overall transportation plan, there are a number of concrete steps we can take to make Newton safer for bicycles, pedestrians, and wheelchair access that will not require physical changes to our roadways. Taken together with the infrastructure improvements discussed above, these initiatives will make Newton more hospitable for human-powered transportation. (For purposes of this document, the term “pedestrians” is intended to include persons traveling by wheelchair, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act.)

Summary of Proposed Solution

In order to make our community safer and more accommodating for pedestrians and cyclists, Newton should:

Improve pedestrian safety by keeping our sidewalks clear of snow in the winter and clear of other obstacles year-round;

Integrate consideration of impacts on cyclists and pedestrians into planning processes;

Develop a comprehensive, three-tier bicycle accommodation plan;

Improve and expand public education and information efforts regarding bicycle and pedestrian issues.

Provide bike racks in village centers and at City buildings; and

Adopt innovative initiatives to encourage non-motorized transit.

Discussion and Implementation Plan

i) Clear and Accessible Sidewalks

Many sidewalks are blocked by parked cars and other obstacles, preventing safe pedestrian and wheelchair access. Furthermore, during the winter, many of Newton’s sidewalks remain uncleared and are layered in ice and snow. The City should plow snow from sidewalks on major walking routes to schools, village centers, and public transportation in a timely and effective manner. We should educate our Public Works Department employees and outside contractors about the importance of not plowing street snow onto sidewalks near intersections. We should educate the public about the importance of not blocking sidewalks with parked cars, as well as the importance of driving slowly when there is snow, slush, and ice in streets. Driving fast in winter conditions is not only dangerous for vehicles, but can also result in slush being sprayed onto sidewalks, which can result in a slippery layer of ice that poses a hazard to pedestrians.. And we should vigorously enforce the laws that require that sidewalks be kept clear for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and baby carriages and other appropriate uses.

Planning for Accommodation

Impacts on pedestrians and cyclists should be integrated into local and regional planning processes. That means that Newton’s land use policy, development initiatives, traffic and speed regulations, and public construction projects should take into consideration whether the proposed changes are bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. Also, we should work with our neighboring cities and towns to coordinate bicycle accommodation plans, so that we can have safe, consistent cycle-community routes.

ii) Three Types of Bike Routes

As discussed in the transportation section, arterial roadways should incorporate bike lanes and share-the-road signage, as appropriate to the street in question. In addition to this type of in-road bicycle accommodation, the City should also develop a system of scenic bike routes on lower-traffic streets that traverse the City as an alternative to biking on arterials. Third, we should develop recreational bicycle routes that are free of motorized transportation entirely. These routes should be added to the City’s bicycle accommodation map as they are identified and marked.

iii) Public Information and Education

We should inform the public about bicycle and pedestrian accommodation and safety initiatives by working with neighborhood groups, parent teacher organizations, driver’s education instructors, and other appropriate individuals and organizations.

iv) More Bike Racks

Functional, attractive bike racks should be included in all construction projects and should be added to all public facilities, village centers, and public transportation nodes where they are not currently available. We will also work with local businesses to encourage them to integrate bike racks into their expansion, construction, and renovation plans.

v) Innovations to Encourage Non-Motorized Transit

We will explore the feasibility of implementing a “shared use” plan for bicycles, where a number of bicycles would be placed in key city areas for use by the public. We will also work with our employees to develop incentive programs to encourage use of bicycles and public transportation for commuting to work. As part of our building renovation and construction program, we will offer amenities for walkers and cyclists, including bicycle lockers, changing rooms, and showers and encourage Newton businesses to do the same.