(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

As has been previously covered in this paper, the city is currently in the process of redesigning Highland Avenue as part of the Spring Hill sewer separation project. The new design fails to include adequate, safe bicycle infrastructure. Instead, it will feature only sharrows, requiring people on bicycles to mix in with motor traffic. This is simply insufficient to create an environment where people of all ages and abilities can bicycle. It is also inconsistent with the City of Somerville’s stated goals for transportation and climate change.

As for my own experience bicycling on Highland avenue, it’s simple: I don’t. I live nearby, but aside from a few sections near Davis, it is a terrible street to ride on. I am often transporting my son by bicycle, but I would never consider doing this on Highland avenue. As a result, I rarely patronize any of the businesses on Highland avenue, even ones I like. The road simply offers inadequate transportation options. Mayor Joe Curtatone should rectify this, and take the opportunity to implement protected bicycle lanes on Highland Avenue, before an inadequate design is cemented for decades to come.

Nathan Ricci
Somerville

I was disheartened to see that the Spring Hill sewer separation project plans don’t include protected bicycle lanes for the rebuilt Highland Avenue. Highland is the busiest and most dangerous street in the project area, and it’s also a critical route across this part of Somerville because it’s the only street with a reasonable grade.

I volunteer as a math tutor [pre-COVID] at the high school, and shop at the Armory, Highland Kitchen, LP Subs, and other Highland Ave stores. But biking on Highland never feels safe. Over 12,500 cars travel it a day, often driving more than 25 MPH. Historically,

Highland Avenue has had over 100 crashes per mile. Without a protected lane, bicycle riders must travel in the car and truck traffic, keeping right to allow passing while also avoiding the dangerous door zone of parked cars. This can’t be the best infrastructure

Somerville can offer on one of the main shopping and connector streets in the city. We’re a Vision Zero City, meaning that we’re committed to eliminating deaths and serious injuries from vehicle collisions, yet drivers have killed four people on our streets

in the last two years. Highland Ave is a chance to do better. Mayor Curtatone should stand by our city’s commitments and make sure that the design for Highland Avenue includes protected bike lanes.

Arah Schuur
Somerville

Dear Somerville Times Editor,

I’m writing to you today in regards to the planned roadway reconstruction on Highland Ave, a story that I believe is an important topic to be covering given the many people it effects and how easily it can slide under the radar.

During the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project Update webinar at the end of last year, the City presented their plans for the renovated streetscape they will install starting later this year. The design, as it currently stands, does not include any bicycle facilities whatsoever on Highland Ave.

Highland Ave is a major east-west artery for the City, and a critical route for cyclists. I frequently bike on the street (to visit the Library, City services, and local businesses), and feel in constant danger when I do. And for one of me, there are many others who choose not to bike at all because they fear for their lives when on Highland Ave. There is space—there is always space. It’s a matter of priorities. The City has stated again and again that one of their major focuses is to reduce carbon emissions by encouraging people to bike, walk, and take transit more. They also consistently show that in surveys, people want protected cycling infrastructure. They even complete studies that show there is ample parking. Yet, time and time again, they create streets that go against these principles in favor of the status quo.

I call on Mayor Curtatone to direct his team to create a new design for Highland Ave that included protected bike lanes, while also maintaining the needed transit and pedestrian improvements.

There are legitimate issues to be discussed around how best to make Highland ave safe for cyclists. However, with so many essential services on Highland Ave, simply pretending that cyclists can avoid this road is irresponsible and will get someone killed. The question is: does the City value sustainable transportation, human lives, and vulnerable residents? I really hope the answer is yes.

All the best,
Aaron Greiner
Somerville