Somerville Approves Designated Bike Lanes on Broadway

Somerville

The City of Somerville has approved plans to add designated bike lanes on Broadway, a move that will remove street parking spaces used by small businesses and has prompted immediate concerns from local retailers, most notably Mass Hole Donuts. City officials expect the bike lanes to be installed later this year, with construction possibly beginning within the next couple of months, though a detailed schedule has not been finalized.

Key developments and immediate impacts

The planned bike lanes will eliminate curbside parking along sections of Broadway that small businesses rely on for quick customer turnover. Managers and owners report that many customers park briefly to pick up coffee, snacks, or groceries on their way to work. Some business owners say reduced parking will likely push regular customers to nearby competitors with easier parking access.

One bakery is facing a particularly acute situation: its lease is expiring soon and management has begun searching for a new location because the expected loss of parking makes signing a new multi-year lease impractical. That shop has started offering free donuts as an incentive to anyone who helps identify suitable new retail space.

Neighboring retail operators also reported financial strain tied to ongoing construction this summer and said reduced parking would further harm foot traffic and sales. City officials acknowledge the concerns but maintain that installation of the bike lanes remains on track for later this year.

Support from cycling community and advisory recommendations

Cyclists in Somerville have welcomed the planned changes, citing improvements in safety and the quality of the riding experience. Local bicycle retailers and advocates described current conditions on Broadway as difficult and potentially dangerous for cyclists, reinforcing demand for safer, separated infrastructure.

The Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee unanimously endorsed changes in bike lane design along Somerville Avenue and advanced recommendations to improve safety and visibility. Recommended measures include repositioning bike lanes adjacent to sidewalks where feasible to provide greater protection, installing clearer corner geometry for better sight lines, and ensuring adequate separation between bike and vehicle lanes to prevent cars from moving into bike lanes to bypass left-turning vehicles.

Design approach, timeline and funding

For Somerville Avenue, the committee’s preferred changes emphasize low-impact treatments such as paint and flexible posts to create a protected lane next to sidewalks. That project is expected to enter a design phase in the fall, with no major construction anticipated for that corridor in the near term.

Separately, the Broadway project has not yet been given a detailed construction schedule, but city estimates indicate work could begin within a few months. The city also allocated a $400,000 boost from this year’s participatory budgeting process specifically to support a separated bike lane project, reflecting community-level financial backing for bike infrastructure. Participatory budgeting voters selected various local projects, demonstrating civic engagement in funding choices.

Stakeholder perspectives and trade-offs

City planners and advocates emphasize that the overall aim is to improve safety and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians along busy roadways. Advisory committee members argued the changes will reduce collisions and create clearer interactions between turning vehicles and cyclists.

Small-business owners and managers counter that removing curbside parking will reduce quick, convenience-based customer visits that support local retail. Several owners described financial pressure from recent construction and uncertainty about future sales levels if easy parking disappears. Some businesses are already pursuing contingency plans, including relocation, to avoid signing new long-term leases under changed parking conditions.

What to expect next

• City officials will finalize construction scheduling and issue public notices before work begins.
• Design work for Somerville Avenue is slated to start in the fall and will use low-impact materials like paint and flex posts.
• Community and business outreach is expected to continue as planners refine placement and separation standards for the bike lane network.
• Funding from participatory budgeting will support the separated bike lane project and related safety measures.

Background

The effort to expand separated bike lanes in Somerville is part of a broader push to enhance safe, active transportation options in urban corridors. Similar projects often involve trade-offs between on-street parking and dedicated space for cyclists, and communities frequently weigh short-term impacts on businesses against long-term goals for traffic safety, environmental benefits, and modal shift to cycling and walking.