A resolution to de-prioritization of enforcement of traffic rules for cyclists is currently under consideration by the city.

By Ana Celerier

On Thursday, July 13, The Somerville City Council met to discuss various pending issues.

An item taken up at the council meeting was the de-prioritization of enforcement against cyclists who view stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs.

It was noted that in past months the police department had accepted a grant and is engaging in targeted enforcement with warnings and tickets to cyclists who continue to travel through red lights. According to one council member, the federal government has concluded that the Idaho stop actually leads to increased safety and reduced injuries.

They indicated that they found no increased risk for pedestrians, people who use mobility devices or for vehicles. Instead, they found an increase in road safety and a decrease in injuries, and the basic idea is that intersections are hazardous places for cyclists as well as for pedestrians and vehicles, and that by allowing cyclists when it is safe to do so to get a head start to be more visible. This leads to a decrease and not an increase in reckless behavior that endangers pedestrians.

The Chair of Somerville’s Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee, Alessandra Seiter, was in attendance and spoke at the Council meeting. “I’m here to voice my really strong support for this resolution. There’s a recent precedent in Somerville for a resolution like this. A few months ago, we effectively decriminalized jaywalking, and in 2021, this Council called on the SPD to de-prioritize drug use and possession enforcement,” said Seiter. “These actions acknowledge that certain behaviors are technically illegal under our current laws but pose little risk to our community.”

Following this, Mark Chase, a lecturer in transportation planning at Tufts University, added his opinion. “If a cyclist approaches a red light or a stop sign, and there is no one there, and they proceed safely, I think it is a waste of resources to pull them over,” Chase said.

After hearing all comments regarding the item, the City Council moved to refer the item to the Committee on Traffic and Parking for further review.

Following this resolution, Ward 1 Councilor McLaughlin made a motion to have the City Council declare Somerville a Purple Heart Community and recognize August 7 annually as Purple Heart Day.

McLaughlin introduced Ted Louis Jacques Somerville, veteran service coordinator, who brought up the idea to commemorate August 7 as a day to remember people who made sacrifices for this country.

Jacques said, “I’m just hoping that there is an agreement that this is time that we make it happen again in our community for this recognition and for those who have served.” The Council moved to approve the resolution and recognize August 7 annually as Purple Heart Day.