Boston Puts Cyclists at Risk by Removing Protect Bike Lane Barriers

Bicyclists in Boston are facing a new challenge as protective barriers along several bike lanes have been removed. In areas like Back Bay and the Newmarket section of Massachusetts Avenue, flexible-post bollards and modular concrete strips that provided separation from traffic have disappeared. The removal has raised concerns among cyclists, who feel less safe with the barriers gone.

“We are extremely concerned with the direction the City of Boston is heading in as it relates to street safety. This is coming after a surprise announcement of a 30-day review process to look into modifying or potentially remove progress made on our streets,” said Mandy Wilkens, a spokesperson for Boston Cyclists Union.

“The most recent act of removing protective bike barriers on 3 crucial streets without any warning or communication is extremely concerning to us. Still the city has provided very little word about the reasoning or intended plans surrounding the removal.”

The city stated that the bollards on Arlington Street were removed for maintenance after being damaged by winter storms, though no timeline for their return was provided.

Cycling advocates are frustrated, noting that removing the barriers increases the risk of accidents. In 2024, there were 366 cyclist crashes in Boston. Some cyclists are also upset by the lack of notice before the changes, as they had invested years of effort into securing safer bike infrastructure.

Without the barriers, bike lanes have become less secure. Delivery vehicles, Ubers, and even motorized scooters now regularly occupy bike lanes, making it more dangerous for cyclists.

“All of these were either crucial connections, high crash zones or both. By installing these safety features, it brought an influx of new users, especially those who wouldn’t have dared to ride them before. Removing them means demolishing the trust that these new riders gained and almost certainly if they’re left this way it will mean crashes or worse,” Wilkens added.

“The city has the resources to do better. This is not just about bikes, this is about pedestrians, this is about children, this is frankly about the safety of drivers as well. Succumbing to the rhetoric that safe streets lose elections doesn’t just set our movement back, it will cost lives.”

The removal of the bike lane barriers comes amid political tensions around bike infrastructure in Boston, with some residents and business owners opposing the space dedicated to bikes. Additionally, Mayor Michelle Wu has launched a review of recent street infrastructure changes, which could influence future decisions on bike lanes.

And, this trend is not limited to Boston, but this misguided and ill-informed move to remove safe cycling infrastructure is also underway in other cities such as Toronto.