Somerville Publishes Draft Bicycle Network Plan

After a year of community engagement, data analysis, and policy research, the City of Somerville has published a draft of Somerville’s first Bicycle Network Plan. The Bicycle Network Plan is a visioning document intended to guide the next few decades of work to improve and expand Somerville’s bicycle facilities.  

The Plan proposes an 88-mile citywide network of connected streets and paths where people of all ages and abilities will be able to bike safely and comfortably. Compared to the fragmented 30-mile network that exists today, the Bicycle Network Plan envisions a future with vastly more biking infrastructure, safer facilities, and better connectivity. Formalizing this shared vision is the first step toward expanding bike ridership in Somerville. Shifting travel away from single-occupancy vehicles and toward sustainable modes like biking is essential to meet the City’s Vision Zero public safety goals, Somerville Climate Forward goals, and SomerVision comprehensive planning goals.  

The draft plan is now available for review at somervillema.gov/bikenetwork. Information in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Nepali, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese will be available in the coming weeks. A final version of the plan will be published in early 2023.  

Public comments on the draft plan will be accepted through Monday, January 16. Comments or questions should be sent to the Mobility Division via email at transportation@somervillema.gov or by mail to 93 Highland Ave., c/o Mobility Division, Somerville, MA 02143. 

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Adrienne Pomeroy, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.