Patty Nolan on Bike Lanes
Do I support building a network of bike lanes in Cambridge?
YES!
Do I support our small businesses, mobility-impaired people, and those who have issues with the City’s implementation of bike lanes?
YES!
How can I answer “yes” to both questions?
Because the two need not – and should not – be in conflict. I have a consistent record of support for bike lanes and consideration of all the people whose lives and businesses are affected.
Despite bringing some important positive changes to our city, bike lanes present some challenges and have become incredibly polarizing. That’s a problem because solutions grounded in single, polarized perspectives lead to unsatisfactory outcomes when they leave out groups of people and their concerns. The City Council needs to consider all of our citizens and all of their needs in its decision-making. Good design and decision-making take commitment, inclusion, mutual respect, listening, and hard work. And in this process, we – the city – failed. We did not communicate well, were not fully transparent, and implemented poorly in many respects. Recent improvements in inclusive outreach for which I advocated are welcome, and I will ensure they continue. And we should celebrate the fact that, after initial problems and some meaningful remediations, many bike lane installations are working well. Change is always hard, but it doesn’t have to be polarizing. Safety for cyclists need not be at odds with respect for pedestrians, drivers, people with limited mobility, and our businesses.
I stand for a balanced approach that respects all stakeholders and does not compromise safety. I am kind of endorsed by Cambridge Bike Safety. That makes sense, since I support bike lanes and I also have taken some votes to ensure a more equitable and balanced approach to installation – addressing the needs of small businesses and residents with mobility issues.
Cambridge needs to be safe for bicyclists. That will require separated bike lanes along main arteries of travel. And the lanes need to form a network across the city, or cyclists who are not confident or strong won’t use them. We provide that for cars and pedestrians; now we are doing it for bicycles. Today we need to adjust the allocation of our public ways more equitably.
It’s essential to recognize that the installation of separated bike lanes can be compatible with a city that’s welcoming for all. We can have a network of bike lanes AND support our small businesses, allow houses of worship to serve members, and provide a safe space and access for pedestrians, including people with limited mobility. Public ways need to be designed to provide a safe environment for all users, not just drivers.
I acknowledge the uncomfortable truth: Many, even most, of us – pedestrians, cyclists and drivers – fail to follow the rules of the road at times. It’s dangerous and it leads to hard feelings. All of us need to follow the rules. Period. And enforcement will get us only so far. We need a cultural shift where all honor the rules of the road. When we do, conflicts and stress will decrease and safety will improve.
It’s the job of advocates to promote their positions. A councilor’s job is to acknowledge and consider all constituents then facilitate solutions that lead to outcomes that best serve the city as a whole.
The actions I’ve taken demonstrate my commitment to all stakeholders in the development of our bike lane network:
- I proposed that the city develop the next five year cycling safety plan NOW so we don’t spring it on people.
- I voted for and support the Cycling Safety Ordinance. My vision for Cambridge is to transition (like Montreal, Paris, and dozens of US cities, too) to a new normal where bike lanes are numerous and drivers, cyclists and pedestrians share well-designed road systems and treat each other with care and respect.
- I led the effort to restore Garden St. to two way traffic, and keep two-way bike lanes. Better overall for the neighborhood.
- I successfully advocated for implementation changes: adding handicapped and meter spots on side streets on upper Mass. Ave., allowing parking in some bus lanes during specified hours, adding back some parking along Brattle St. (e.g., for Holy Trinity Church), and fixing a pedestrian island that made turning hazardous.
- To improve the city’s poor outreach to residents and businesses, I worked successfully to change misleading City communications. Now notices about new lanes mention any loss of parking.
Together, my actions demonstrate a nuanced, thoughtful, approach that considers and is responsive to ALL stakeholders and is backed by solid research and analysis.
To see my thinking on other issues, here’s a discussion of my other priorities.