Overview 

The City of Somerville is dedicated to improving the safety, accessibility and quality of biking in Somerville by creating a new network of accommodations throughout the city. The following programs help support those that choose to commute, recreate, and travel for errands or pleasure by bicycle. Supporting cyclists in this choice helps promote and keep safe active, healthy transportation options. In addition, more cyclists mean less congestion on our streets for all other modes – pedestrians, buses, and cars.

Bicycle Lanes and Sharrows

Under Mayor Curtatone’s leadership, the City successfully completed the ’10 in 2010 Campaign’ – an aggressive plan to increase the miles of bike facilities in Somerville by 10 miles in 2010. Prior to 2010, 8 miles of bike facilities existed throughout the City (4.1 square miles). The ’10 in 2010 Campaign’ more than doubled the number of bike lanes and sharrows, with a total of over 11 miles of lanes and sharrows being installed throughout the year.  The following streets were upgraded during 2010:

• Bicycle lanes installed:
  • Somerville Avenue, from the Cambridge city line to Union Square
  • Cedar Street, from Highland Avenue to Elm Street
• Sharrows (shared lane markings) installed:
  • Cameron Avenue, from Holland Street to Cambridge city line
  • College Avenue, from Medford City line to Davis Square
  • Powder House Boulevard, from Powder House Boulevard to Mystic Valley Parkway/Route 16
  • Cedar Street , from Broadway to Highland Avenue
  • Washington Street, from Hawkins Street to Webster Avenue and Somerville Avenue to Mansfield Street/Boston Street
  • Elm Street, from Davis Square to Cutter Avenue
  • Holland Street, from Teele Square to Davis Square
  • Dane Street, from Somerville Avenue to Washington Street
  • Cross Street, from Route 28/McGrath Highway to Broadway
  • Tufts Street, from Washington Street to Cross Street
  • Bow Street, from Somerville Avenue to Somerville Avenue 

In 2011, the City plans to complete a ‘11 in 2011’ Campaign, adding an additional 11 miles of bike lanes and sharrows throughout the city. Keep your eyes out for new improvements this spring, summer and fall!

The Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee Annual Bike Report for 2010 outlines the Committee’s vision of a complete network throughout the city.

Bicycle Parking

The City of Somerville participates in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s Regional Bike Parking Program, which reimburses cities and towns throughout the region for the cost of manufacturing bicycle racks. In 2010, the Department of Public Works installed 81 racks throughout the city. The racks are a custom-designed inverted-U rack, designed by City Draftsman Fred Lund. The rack has a cut-out of the iconic “Powder House,” as featured on the City emblem and shown at right.

On Street Bicycle Parking Program

In 2010, the City launched a pilot On Street Bicycle Parking Program. The program allows for a bike corral holding up to 14 bicycles to be placed in an on-street parking space. Interested businesses are encouraged to contact OSPCD’s Transportation and Infrastructure Division for more information, at 617.625.6600 ext. 2500. More information on the program can be found here by clicking here. 

Requesting a bicycle rack near your home or business

The City of Somerville installs bicycle parking in the public right of way; private landowners are responsible for racks on private property. Recent rack installations have focused on commercial corridors, schools, public buildings, and commercial squares.

Bicycle Parking Guide

New development projects and redevelopment projects within the City are subject to the bicycle parking ordinance as outlined in Somerville Zoning Ordinance, Section 9.15. In order to help better understand why bicycle parking is required and the process of installation, the City has developed the Bicycle Parking & Installation Guide for Development and Redevelopment Projects. This guide is intended to help guide developers through the process of installing appropriate bike racks, though it also may be of interest to others. 

Other bicycle-related projects

The Community Path is a key corridor running east to west throughout Somerville, following abandoned and active rail right-of-ways. Details on the current path and the Path Extension project can be found here.

An off-road bicycle and pedestrian connection between Ten Hills and Assembly Square is also currently under design. Construction on the Mystic River Path Extension is anticipated to begin in 2011.

The Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee works with the City to develop and enhance bicycle infrastructure throughout the city. More information can be found here and on the Somerville Bikes Web site.  

More information

To learn more about the Bicycle Infrastructure program, please contact the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development at 617-625-6600 ext. 2500.