Public Hearing on the Somerville Bike Network Plan, May 31

On May 23, 2023, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

The Somerville City Council Traffic and Parking Committee will hold a virtual (online) public hearing on Wednesday, May 31, on the City of Somerville Bike Network Plan. The hearing will start at 6 p.m. Community members may submit testimony either at the hearing or in writing according to the details below.

The hearing will offer an opportunity for community members to share thoughts, ideas, and
concerns about the Bike Network Plan. The plan was developed via a one-and-a-half-year public engagement, research, and analysis process. The Committee aims to understand community preferences and concerns around the roll-out of the already finalized Plan.

The Plan maps out steps to expand and upgrade the current 30-mile network of bicycle facilities to a total of 88 miles that will create safe and connected routes to better protect bike riders of all ages. A total of 40 miles of bicycle improvements are designated on high-priority routes to be installed or upgraded by 2030, with the remaining miles to be completed over the full 20 years of the plan.

The network includes a mix of protected bike facilities, off-street paths, and traffic-calmed backstreet “Neighborways” routes. Plan implementation includes that the City will hold public engagement processes before installing any facilities identified in the Plan.

Where to learn more:

The Plan can be reviewed by visiting the City website at bit.ly/BikeNetworkPlan.

More information on Neighborways can be found at neighborways.com/somerville-neighborways.

How to provide or listen to testimony:

Attend online: To attend online and be heard, enter this link exactly as it appears into your internet browser any time before the meeting: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4392561478585691221.

This link can also be accessed on the City Council’s calendar at somervillema.gov/councilmeetings. Once you arrive at the link, you will then be asked to register, and after registering, you will receive an email with instructions to join the webinar.   

Submit written testimony: If you are unable to attend but wish to be heard, you may submit written testimony one of three ways. Your comments must arrive no later than Friday, June 2, 2023, at 12 noon, in order to be sure they are conveyed to the Council and included in the written record. The three ways to submit comment are:
1. Email: email your comments to cityclerk@somervillema.gov, or
2. Mail: send them by U.S. mail to the City Clerk, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143, or
3. Hand deliver: drop them into the secure drop box outside the back door on the School Street side of City Hall.

Listen to testimony on-demand: The Public Hearing will be recorded and made available for later viewing by the City’s GovTV team. Watch on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within one to two business days of recording.

ACCOMODATIONS: Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.   

INTERPRETATION: Interpretation into any language is available upon advance request by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerViva or calling 311 at 617-666-3311.