More than 300 readers voted: Here’s how readers want to expand open streets in Boston
"Open streets should be the first step in the process of getting rid of the majority of cars in the city."
This summer more roads in Boston will be car-free, and Boston.com readers have ideas on how to make the streets more inviting for pedestrians and cyclists.
Mayor Michelle Wu recently announced the “Boston Open Streets” program, which alongside the already existing “Open Newbury Street,” will close off more of Boston to vehicles in favor of foot traffic and bikes. The program is part of the city’s effort to “create and reclaim space for residents to celebrate the summer.”
The city is also exploring the possibility of turning a block of Dartmouth Street between the Boston Public Library and Copley Square into a plaza space. Between June 7 to June 17, the area will be closed to cars to test the idea.
In general, Boston.com readers are in favor of making roads friendlier to pedestrians and cyclists. Although readers don’t consider Boston a bike-friendly city quite yet, they’re in support of changes that make the roads more accessible to bicycles and foot traffic even at the expense of vehicles and street parking.
Last year, when the Open Newbury schedule was announced, we asked readers if they were generally in favor of pedestrian-only streets in their own towns and neighborhoods, and the responses were overwhelmingly positive.
Now that the program is expanding to more neighborhoods, we wanted to know what other expansions readers would like to see. Most readers said open streets shouldn’t just be confined to the spring and summer months.
“Streets should expand to pedestrian-only for ALL months!” Laura L. from Cambridge said.
Some readers said pedestrian-only streets are one way to make Bostonians less reliant on their cars. One reader, who said open streets should extend to the fall and winter months, feels more measures should be taken to reduce traffic in the city.
“Boston’s traffic has become a MAJOR problem,” the reader said. “Trucks on the Jamaicaway make it dangerous for drivers. Delivery vans should be taxed; consumers should be taxed for deliveries. We need disincentives for students to bring cars to the city. Air quality and quality of life suffer.”
Karl from Braintree, however, worries that more pedestrian-only streets will just exacerbate traffic.
“There’s enough traffic in Boston already. There’s no need to block off streets and cause more of a mess, especially with the Sumner Tunnel being closed,” he said. “It will be gridlock seven days per week! Festivities such as these were meant for the Greenway.”
Some readers who live outside of Boston and access the city by car said more open streets will make it harder for them to spend time in the area.
“The streets were built for vehicles, not pedestrians or bicyclists. By closing streets off and creating bike lanes the city is alienating people that live outside the city that want to drive into the city to enjoy what it has to offer,” Al from Concord said. “Personally, with all that’s been done to the traffic patterns over the past 10 years, I no longer frequent the city and no longer work there.”
But for readers who live in the city, the appeal of open streets is that it makes it easier to navigate their own neighborhoods. Diana M. from the North End said the city needs to make space for “comfortable, simultaneous use by both tourists and residents.”
“Currently, I have to push a stroller and two older kids through tourist crowds and large lines of restaurant patrons blocking the sidewalks, as well as restaurant waiters crossing the sidewalks to service the outdoor dining setup on the street,” she told Boston.com. “Last, but extremely important, is the noise that the vehicular traffic creates. The North End is very densely built and the noise gets amplified between buildings close on both sides of the street. A pedestrian-only street would be a great improvement to the quality of life of residents.”
“Boston Open Streets” will feature “activities unique to each neighborhood, offering a taste of culture through a variety of food trucks, big games, photo installations, exclusive performances and activations,” Mayor Michelle Wu said while announcing the program.
We asked Boston.com readers what other activities they would like to see prioritized as the program expands. Ahead, you’ll find a sampling of those suggestions.
Some entries may be edited for length and clarity.
What should be offered on open streets?
“Outdoor workout classes (whether hosted by the city or fitness studios), photo booths, space for cyclists so cyclists don’t end up going into the streets with cars only, more outdoor patio dining for COVID safety.” — Lala T., Cambridge
“I would like to see these spaces closed to non-pedestrian traffic on weekends, even just one day each weekend. Then give businesses in areas like Brighton and Beacon Hill license to operate on sidewalks and into the street for dining and shopping. And in places like the Fenway just create space for pedestrians to walk freely without fear of being run over.” — Erin, Brighton
“Pop-ups from local businesses, an opportunity to sample foods from different restaurants, art classes, and children’s story time.” — Stefanie, South End
“The open streets should be a place where people can socialize with their neighbors and go shopping, eat out, or just be able to go outside without seeing/hearing/smelling cars in the area. Open streets should be the first step in the process of getting rid of the majority of cars in the city.” — AJ, Fenway
“Bike and pedestrian lanes, open seating in ‘pop-up parks,’ and outdoor dining. I would also like them to be more frequent — not just a single event but maybe use the model as done in Cambridge on Memorial Drive. We could start with open streets every Sunday for instance, so that people can know to expect them.” — Andrew B., Boston
“Tented areas to support small businesses like the SOWA market, food trucks, art installations supporting local artists, lots of music, farmers’ market, and local fisherman selling their local catches.” — Jaclyn R., Fenway
These are the streets Boston.com readers would like to be pedestrian-only.
In addition to Newbury Street, portions of Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Warren Street/Blue Hill Avenue in Roxbury, and Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester will be closed to cars on select days throughout the summer. Below is a map of readers’ recommendations for other Boston-area streets that should be pedestrian-only in the future.
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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