Street Safety Tips

Somerville is a Vision Zero City. This means we are committed to eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries from our streets entirely. To help keep everyone safe, we’re using proven safety strategies, forward-thinking policies, smart design – and we’re asking for your help.

Important Information and Alerts

Pass people biking with 4 feet of space. Enacted into law in 2023, people driving must now provide a “safe passing distance” of at least 4 feet when passing people biking on the street.

20 mph is plenty. The speed limit isn’t random. Studies show a person is about 30% more likely to die if you hit them at 30 mph versus 20 mph. Driving slower saves lives. The City’s speed limit is 25 mph unless you are traveling in a Safety Zone, where the limit is 20 mph.
Take your time turning. Most collisions between vehicles and people walking or biking happen in intersections. Turn at 5 mph and always expect people in the crosswalk.
Park with care. Be sure you’re not in a bike lane, and once you’re parked, always check for approaching people biking before opening your door.
Put your phone down. Massachusetts law prohibits people driving from using any electronic device, including mobile telephones, unless the device is used in hands-free mode. Take a pledge not to text while driving or install an app on your phone to prevent distracted driving. Ask your family and friends to do the same.
Yield to people in crosswalks. Crosswalks are critical connection points for people traveling. Whether the crosswalk is painted, has signage or is raised, people driving must yield to people walking or rolling in a crosswalk. Do not start driving again until they have reached the other side of the street.
Keep clear corners. Parked vehicles near crosswalks can blocks views of people crossing the street. By restricting parking ahead of crosswalks, we are able to increase visibility for people driving, reduce the likelihood of crashes, and improve safety for people walking and wheeling in the crosswalks. Local, state, and federal laws prohibit parking 20 feet ahead of a crosswalk or 30 feet ahead of an intersection with traffic signals.
Pass people biking with 4 feet of space. Enacted into law in 2023, people driving must now provide a “safe passing distance” of at least 4 feet when passing people biking on the street.

Biking

Things to consider while cycling

Obey traffic laws. With few exceptions, the same rules that apply to people driving apply to people biking too. This keeps everyone safer.
Use lights at night. Bikes are required by law to have a white light in front and red light and reflector in the back when riding at night. Wearing bright or reflective clothing also makes you more visible to people driving.
Signal before turning. Signal right turns by upturning your left arm. Signal left turns by extending your left arm straight out to the left.
Wear a helmet. If you are 16 years old or younger, you must wear a helmet that meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements on any bike, anywhere, at all times. The helmet must fit your head and the chin strap must be fastened.
Take a lane. In heavy, slow-moving traffic, or if there is an obstacle ahead, it can be safer to ride in the middle of the traffic lane where everyone can see you if there are no separated or protected bike facilities. In these cases, taking the lane can keep everyone safer.
Do not ride on sidewalks in business districts. Our sidewalks in business districts tend to be crowded. Please keep this space for people walking and rolling.
Stop for people in crosswalks, and if you’re passing someone walking or rolling, let them know you’re approaching with a bell or friendly “on your left.”
Plan ahead. Refer to the Somerville Bike Map for low-stress routes on protected facilities and Neighborways.
Be mindful by buses and trucks. People driving buses and trucks have several large blind spots on all sides of the vehicle. Ride in front or behind the bus or truck to be more visible to the person driving. Avoid being right-hooked by never riding parallel to a bus or truck when approaching an intersection or bus stop.

Walking or Rolling

Things to consider while walking or rolling

Be alert, especially at driveways and intersections. Pay attention to your surroundings. If possible, make eye contact with the person driving as they approach.
Look left-right-left and for vehicles turning. Our streets are busy, and conditions can change rapidly.
Avoid bike lanes. Stick to the sidewalk, and check for approaching people on bikes before crossing a bike lane.
Report unsafe conditions. Use 311 to report sidewalk and street concerns including issues with crosswalks, signage or traffic signals, and sidewalk repairs, as well as unshoveled sidewalks in winter.

What the City Is Doing

Vision Zero is the City's strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

Below are just a few of the many ways the City is working to make this vision a reality:

Traffic Calming - Designing our streets for safety is critical to eliminate traffic violence by installing roadway elements intended to reduce vehicle speeds and promote safety.
Safety Zones - The City has expanded the number of 20 mph safety zones to cover most residential streets and areas with schools, senior centers, medical facilities, and parks. Reducing speeds are a critical component to increasing transportation safety.
Bicycle Network Plan – The City’s plan proposes an 88-mile citywide network of connected protected bicycle lanes as well as low-speed and low-volume residential streets – called Neighborways - where people of all ages and abilities will be able to bike safely and comfortably

Stay Informed

For more information and resources, go to somervillema.gov/visionzero. Stay up to date on transportation projects by subscribing to the City’s Mobility Monthly Newsletter.

Programs & Initiatives

HP 12C calculator alongside a stack of coins

Technical Assistance Programming

If you are a business, consultant, or non-profit that may be able to support Somerville’s business community, we encourage you to respond to our Request for Information (RFI).

School Construction Advisory Group (CAG)

Members will develop a recommendation to the Mayor on both the location and scope of a renovated or new school to meet the needs of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School and potentially the Benjamin G. Brown School.

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