MassDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program
With MassDOT and the Massachusetts Dept of Public Health (DPH), WalkBoston and MassBike are helping develop and implement pedestrian and bicycle safety strategies aimed at achieving the state’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) goal of reducing fatalities and injuries among bicyclists and pedestrians by 20% in the next 5 years.
The three major components of the strategy are:
1. Enforcement
2. Education/Awareness
3. Preparation of communities for infrastructure improvements
The pilot program is focused on 12 communities which were selected based on high rates of non-motorist crashes, high rates of walking and biking activity, and participation in the DPH Mass in Motion program (8 of the 12 communities selected are Mass in Motion communities).
The community-based efforts to increase walking and biking in Mass in Motion communities provides an excellent platform to support increased pedestrian and bicycle safety strategies, and then make effective infrastructure investments to make the built environment safer for those trips.
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Support for Inclusion of Active Streets in Transportation Bond Bill
February 5, 2014
Chairman Brian Joyce
Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets
State House, Room 109D
Boston, MA 02133
Re: Support for Inclusion of Active Streets in Transportation Bond Bill
Dear Chairman Joyce:
WalkBoston writes to urge you to support the “Active Streets Certification Program” that is included in the Transportation Bond Bill that was recently passed by the House (H3882). Senator Harriette Chandler and Representative Jason Lewis (S68/H3091) filed a version of this language as standalone legislation.
As Massachusetts’ leading pedestrian advocacy organization, WalkBoston works with communities across the state to help them create a safer and more convenient walking environment for their residents. We see very strong interest in walking in urban, suburban and rural municipalities, and we also see communities that are having a difficult time designing and investing in sidewalks and walkways.
The program created under this proposal would encourage communities to build streets and roads that accommodate walking, bicycling and transit use – a.k.a. “Complete Streets” – by creating a small grant program for which they would become eligible after passing a Complete Streets bylaw or ordinance in addition to taking several other actions.
The presence of improved walkways and bicycle facilities encourages an active, healthy lifestyle and reduces auto dependency. In addition to health benefits, Complete Streets can boost the local economy supporting local business districts and increasing property values. While some cities and towns in Massachusetts have already taken steps to implement Complete Streets, this program would provide the necessary incentives and support to encourage even more cities and towns do so.
Thank you very much for your consideration of our request. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, 617-368-9255 or wlandman@walkboston.org
Best regards,
Wendy Landman
Executive Director
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