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In 2015, Cambridge published the Cambridge Bicycle Plan: Toward a Bikeable Future . The Plan lays out a vision for where we as a city want to be. The guiding principle for the plan is to enable people of all ages and abilities to bike safely and comfortably throughout the city. This plan provides the framework for developing a network of Complete Streets and supporting programs and policies that will help meet this goal. In the spring of 2019, the City initiated an update to that plan, the Cambridge Bicycle Plan 2020.
The Cambridge Bicycle Plan 2015 was developed with the input of thousands of people who care about our city. The Plan continues to guide City efforts and programs, but a lot has changed in a few years.
Overview Video
The video below provides a basic overview of the 2020 Bicycle Plan update, watch the video to learn more about the work, and scroll down for more information about how to participate.
Why update the bike plan?
In 2016, the City adopted a Vision Zero Policy and a Complete Streets Policy. Our public bike share system (initially Hubway, now Bluebikes) has grown significantly in terms of reach and membership, our Safe Routes to School program is now fully established in every public school, with educational programs in elementary, middle and high school, our public bike workshops and outreach events happen every month of the year, and our network has grown by 20 miles in just five years.
Some of the recent changes include facility types that were not in our toolbox five years ago, including:
the “quick-build” style road redesigns seen in places such as Cambridge Street and South Mass Ave., and
the bus/bike lanes on outer Mt. Auburn Street.
Through this 2020 update, we will incorporate our new policies, review data, and gather input on how things are working and what people’s hopes are for the future. Part of the work will be to pull together feasibility analyses for future roadway work, as well as a prioritization plan for the development of the network. For more information on all bicycle-related projects, programs, and activities, visit cambridgema.gov/bikes .
Network Vision and Quick-Build Prioritization
We want your feedback on the draft Bicycle Network Vision and draft Quick-Build Prioritization Process.
The 2015 Cambridge Bicycle Plan includes a Bicycle Network Vision, which is a selection of streets and path prioritized for high-quality and comfortable travel by bicycle. Some of the network is already in place, but the Vision imagines a more complete set of connections. The network includes a variety of facility types that generally fall into three categories:
off-street paths (e.g. Linear Park, Kittie Knox Path),
streets with increased separation for bicyclists from motor vehicle traffic (e.g. Western Avenue, Cambridge Street), and
streets with lower vehicle speeds and/or volumes (these often include traffic calming elements)
When the Plan was published in 2015, we didn't use all of the tools that we use today, including quick-build tools (e.g., pavement markings, flex posts, signs, and signal changes). With the understanding that many of the facilities that fall into the "increased separation" category can be implemented with quick-build materials, we are creating Quick-Build Prioritization Process. This prioritization will serve as a guide for the order in which these projects are implemented.
Proposed Additions to the Bicycle Network Vision
We've created a proposal for additions to the Bicycle Network Vision based on what we've heard from community members in previous phases of the Bicycle Plan update process.
You can:
review the map and list of streets in the proposal; and
give feedback on the proposal.
Network Vision - Learn More, Give Feedback
Draft Quick-Build Prioritization Process
We've created a draft Quick-Build Prioritization Process and use streets from the 2015 Bicycle Network Vision to illustrate how the Process works.
You can:
learn more about the underlying methodology; and
give feedback on the Prioritization Process.
Prioritization Process - Learn More, Give Feedback
Cambridge Biking Stories and Needs
We hope that you will share your thoughts and experiences to help ensure that our work meets your needs, and the needs of others in your community.
The Cambridge Bicycle Plan includes more than infrastructure. The plan informs a series of policies and programs that help towards the goal of ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can bike safely and comfortably throughout Cambridge. We want to hear your stories and learn more about your needs. We will use this information to inform the policies and programs in the final 2020 Bicycle Plan Update.
Your Cambridge Biking Story
We want to hear about your biking experiences! As part of the Cambridge Bicycle Plan 2020 update, we’re collecting stories from people who bike in Cambridge. The story you share can be anything you have in mind: an amusing anecdote, a memorable moment, your general perspective.
Share your Story
Community Needs Survey
As a part of the Cambridge Bicycle Plan update, we want to hear from and learn more about people who don’t ride a bike as much as they would like. Complete this survey to let us know what stops you from biking as much as you'd like and how we can help you bike more.
Complete the Survey
Previous Information
Necessary precautions in response to COVID-19 have delayed public engagement for Bicycle Plan 2020, but we have still been working to advance some of the background and technical updates, including making updates to the list of short-term action items.
2015 Action Items
Based on comments provide during the 2015 Bike Plan development process, we created a list of short-term action items. Ideas were collected during the spring of 2014 through an online map, an online survey, and paper maps that were distributed at the open house and other public input sessions. In the past five years, we've completed or programmed over 80% of these action items.
View the 2015 Action Items PDF
2020 Action Items
We have reviewed hundreds of comments and suggestions submitted by the public as part of the ongoing Bicycle Plan 2020 process. As we review these comments, we direct them to the appropriate departments. Additionally, we've created a new list of action items.
View the 2020 Action Items PDF
We are currently working on revisions to the Bicycle Network Vision, updates to the data sections, a framework for prioritizing “quick-build” projects, and feasibility analyses for upcoming projects. We are also continuing to gather input through focus groups and additional community input opportunities.
Coming soon: Updates to the bike count data and documentation about 2019 projects, as well information about the next public open house being planned for early 2020.
We are wrapping up phase one of our outreach and public input; we have received terrific participation through our street teams, the Bicycle Plan 2020 web map, and public events!
Please note that the Bicycle Plan 2020 web map will remain open until October 15, 2019 for initial feedback.
Your feedback is being used as key input for revisions to the Bicycle Network Vision; the new proposed Vision will be available for additional public comment this fall. Please check back here or sign up for the Bicycle Plan 2020 e-newsletter for the latest news.
Photo: Community members comment on the Street Design Survey during Parking Day 2019.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Bicycle Plan 2020 Open House on June 13, 2019. Materials from the Open House are now available below.
Please continue to submit ideas and feedback through the Bicycle Plan 2020 WikiMap. More information about commenting on the WikiMap can be found below. We will also be collecting public feedback for Bicycle Plan 2020 at various community events across the city throughout the summer.
Summary Documents
Bicycle Priority Network
Action Items Updates
Project Updates and Details
Bike Facility Toolbox
Bicycle Data
We have launched a Bicycle Plan 2020 WikiMap to collect public feedback on bicycling in the city. Through this online WikiMap tool, you can provide feedback, input, and suggestions in two ways:
Comment on the City's existing network of bicycle facilities. How is our network of streets and paths working now? Are there places that are great for bicycling and that you would like to see expanded or replicated? Are there places that are particularly problematic and you would like to see changed.
Comment on the City's Bicycle Network Vision. Through the 2015 Bicycle Plan process, a Bicycle Network Vision was created to help guide the development a bicycle network that is safety-focused, comfortable, connected, and convenient for people of all ages and abilities. An explanation of the process to develop the Network Vision can be read here. An update to this Network Vision will be part of the Bicycle Plan 2020 outcomes.
To comment, select the base map you want in the View Options and then select either "Add Street/Path Comment" or "Add Point/Intersection Comment" at the top of the page. You may enter as many comments as you want.
We've provided links to the 2015 Bicycle Plan below.
Accessibility Statement The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact Najah Casimir at ncasimir@cambridgema.gov , 617-349-4359 (voice), or via relay at 711.