CitySmart Pilot Program

Red CitySmart banner

About the CitySmart Pilot      

CitySmart began as a pilot program to test how social marketing affects transportation choices. Based on successful programs in Europe, Australia and the United States, we hoped to shift approximately 10% of single-occupant vehicle trips to more sustainable modes, such as walking, bicycling and transit.

The CitySmart pilot ran in Cambridgeport in 2009, North Cambridge in 2010, and East Cambridge in 2011. Each year in May and June, we mailed a CitySmart newsletter to all residential addresses in the pilot neighborhood. Inside the newsletter was an order form for requesting free information about the transportation options available in and around the neighborhood. Metro Pedal Power's bicycle delivery service CitySmart Kits to resident’s homes.

Over the three pilot years, we reached more than 2,200 households and more than 4,000 residents. 36% of respondents from Year 1 Cambridgeport stated that they had made some trip change as a result of the program and 88% have stuck with that change over the past three years. In a follow-up survey of Year 1 residents who said that they made a change in their travel habits 53% stated they were walking more often, 59% were bicycling more often, and 40% were using transit more often. According to follow-up surveys, we significantly increased awareness of this program and awareness of sustainable transportation options, and received a lot of positive feedback and support for program expansion.

Collage of all CitySmart modes of transportation 

Learn more about the CitySmart Pilot Study

Year One: Cambridgeport

Year Two: North Cambridge

Year Three: East Cambridge

Learn More About CitySmart Pilot Partners

Walk and Bike

Transit

Ridesharing

  • MassRIDES
  • GoLoco (web site not functioning)

Health and Fitness

Green Living and Neighborhood Groups

For more information About CitySmart

For more information on CitySmart, please call 617/349-4673, or email sgroll@cambridgema.gov.