Massachusetts Avenue through Central Square is getting separated bike lanes and other safety improvements starting in 2027. The Central Square Safety Improvement Project moves the bike lane next to the curb and installs quick-build flex posts, pavement markings and modified traffic signals to make biking to homes, businesses, schools and other destinations safer and more comfortable.
The project is part of the Cambridge Cycling Safety Ordinance, supports the city’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate crashes resulting in fatalities and serious injuries and brings the city closer to realizing the Cambridge Bicycle Network Vision.
The project area has seen several crashes over the past decade. According to the city’s intersection safety data map, dozens of crashes involving injuries have been reported there. In particular, the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Sidney Street at the eastern edge of the project area is the fifth-most dangerous intersection in Cambridge.
The infrastructure today has a painted bike lane between lanes for parking and car travel. With personal vehicles and buses pulling over to make frequent, short stops, the area can be chaotic. When the city led commuter rides during the MBTA red line train shutdown, the route detoured to avoid Central Square entirely. The BCU Labs Bike Stress Map ranks it as tense – manageable for experienced cyclists.
As part of the project, around 25 percent of parking spaces will be removed. Most of Central Square will keep parking spaces on at least one side of the street. Some sections will have parking on both sides, as exists today. The city will work with businesses and residents to identify the best locations and types of parking spaces to serve the area.
The work will be done in sections:
Section 1: Inman Street to Prospect Street, the westernmost section of the project. Installation is set to begin late this year and finish in 2027. Near this section is the River Street Reconstruction Project that runs to the Charles River and its bike path.
Section 2: Prospect Street to Pearl Street, the central section. Installation will not begin until after the MBTA’s Central Square Station Renovation. This section is scheduled for 2029.
Section 3: Pearl Street to Sidney Street, the easternmost section. Installation will start and finish in 2027.
The city is holding two meetings about the project:
Virtual information session: Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Registration is required.
In-person open house: Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. MBTA representatives will also be there to discuss planned accessibility improvements at Central Square Station.
There is also a comment form and an interactive comment map for location-specific notes.
Bike activities calendar
Tour de Streets. The Livable Streets Alliance hosts a fundraiser and leisurely ride for people of all abilities at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Join a team online and fundraise.
Critical Mass Ride (recurring). A free social activist ride meeting at 6:30 Oct. 30 (and taking off at 7 p.m.). Rides are every last Friday of the month in Copley Square, Boston. No RSVP required.
Boston Cafe Bikers (recurring). Boston Cafe Bikers rides at 11 a.m. Oct. 31 from Central Square, Cambridge, to Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ & Bakery in Dorchester. Free.
Cafe Zing! Social Ride (recurring). Every Thursday, join friends and neighbors for a party-pace social ride. Meet at Cafe Zing, 25 White St., Porter Square, Cambridge, at 6:30 p.m. to mingle before the 7 p.m. ride.
E-Bike Adventure Rides with Casa Bikes (recurring). Every Saturday at 9:30 a.m., bring your own e-bike or borrow one of Casa’s. Free, but register.
Have a bike event to list? Send it to ecao.csindie@gmail.com. For more Boston bike events, see bostonbikeevents.net. (No affiliation with The Independent.)
