City of Cambridge provides template for bike lane expansion as cycling numbers soar

Recently, the city presented its 2023 Bicycling in Cambridge Data Report, offering a deep dive into the city’s dynamic cycling landscape. The report showcases a thriving biking culture, influenced by innovative infrastructure initiatives and policies laid out in the 2020 Bicycle Plan Update.

Surge in Bicycling Trends

Cambridge residents are increasingly turning to bicycles, marking a significant uptick in ridership according to Bluebikes data. Notably, 9% of residents now choose bicycles for their daily commute, setting a new record. The city’s commitment to a bike network for all ages is validated by the rising numbers of child cyclists.

Pandemic Impact and Post-COVID Landscape

The global shifts in travel patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic have left their mark on Cambridge’s cycling scene as it has across North America. While overall cycling numbers experienced a temporary dip during the pandemic, intersections witnessed a resurgence in ridership. The report acknowledges uncertainties surrounding the pandemic’s lasting effects on travel patterns and the rise of alternative micromobility devices.

“In general there is some variation (in the numbers), so we’ve seen temporary declines in some previous years. However, it’s worth noting the final two numbers you’re looking at are from 2019 and 2022,” said the Cambridge Bicycle Safety spokesperson. “In between there was a huge shift to work-from-home, e.g. for Cambridge workforce 30% of people were working from home in 2022 according to the census. The City’s biking volumes are measured during the morning and early evening of work days, so they’re skewed towards commuting, which was much more strongly impacted by work-from-home than other bicycle uses.”

Cambridge Bike-Friendly Initiatives

Cambridge’s commitment to becoming a bike-friendly town is exemplified by its innovative infrastructure projects. The city, home to Harvard University, stands out as one of the first in the U.S. to introduce separated bike lanes and notably the first to mandate protected bike lanes in 2019. Separated bike lanes, as defined by the city, feature physical barriers, ranging from paint to vertical plastic bollards or concrete curbs, ensuring a safe distance between cyclists and motor vehicle traffic.

The report sheds light on the city’s journey toward mandating protected bike lanes, revealing a unique approach compared to other cities. The Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO), initiated in 2019 with a unanimous 7-0 vote, mandates the construction of separated bike lanes during street reconstructions as part of the Bicycle Network Vision. The CSO aims to add a 25-mile network of protected bike lanes across the city by 2026, with yearly milestones guiding progress.

“We hope to see a neighboring city following in Cambridge’s legislative footsteps in the next few months, and in general we hope other advocacy groups can pass similar legislation, it makes a huge difference when the City is required to build separated bike lanes on a schedule,” they said.

Cambridge Public Support and Advocacy