City teams will be plowing major roadways to ensure emergency vehicle access.
I know it can be frustrating if a plow has pushed snow back over a cleared area, but curb ramps must be cleared continually.
If plowed snow coverage is too much, use the BOS:311 app to request support from the City.
22.02.2026 18:17 —
👍 24
🔁 6
💬 1
📌 0
Snow Shoveling in Boston
Who has to shovel? Property owners must clear adjacent sidewalks and curb ramps. Some rental leases require tenants to shovel.
How much shoveling is required? Clear a 42-inch-path so people using strollers and wheelchairs can pass.
When is shoveling required? Snow must be cleared within 3 hours of snowfall ending or 3 hours after sunrise if it snows overnight.
Snow pile on a curb ramp? As plowing occurs, curb ramps may be covered and must be cleared again. If the snow coverage is too much to clear, please use the BOS:311 app to request support from the City of Boston.
That responsibility means clearing a 42-inch path through the sidewalk, not just in front of your home or business, but all the way to the ramp and crosswalk.
Learn more about snow shoveling in Boston: boston.gov/snow.
22.02.2026 18:17 —
👍 29
🔁 10
💬 3
📌 1
Be a good neighbor, shovel your sidewalk and curb ramps.
Three images of well-cleared sidewalks and curb ramps with green check marks.
Three images of a snow-covered sidewalk, a curb ramp covered in snow, and a fire hydrant blocked by a snow pile.
Help your neighbors get around safely as Boston experiences what is forecasted to be a historic blizzard.
Property owners must clear snow and ice from abutting sidewalks and curb ramps within 3 hours after snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if the snow ends overnight.
22.02.2026 18:17 —
👍 102
🔁 38
💬 7
📌 4
A flyer with the Boston skyline for WalkMass Network's upcoming webinar on the Micromobility Commission Report to be held Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 1 pm on Zoom. Kris Carter and Jaclyn Youngblood from MassDOT will present, joined by WalkMass and MassBike staff for support and discussion. Register using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IrQf6JHYRhmbtagYmD7ouQ#/registration
We’re excited to be co-presenting with @walkmass.bsky.social on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 1 pm a webinar with Kris Carter & Jaclyn Youngblood from @massdot.bsky.social about the Special Commission on #Micromobility's upcoming 2026 report. 🚲🛴🚶🚶♀️
Register below:
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
12.02.2026 14:35 —
👍 1
🔁 2
💬 0
📌 1
DESIGN APPROACHES
APPROACH 1 - curbside bus lanes
APPROACH 2 - dedicated middle of street bus lanes
DESIGN APPROACH 1
Buses operate in a side-running bus lane with bus stops on the sidewalks Greater design and phasing flexibility
2 Longer crosswalk legs, shorter total crossing
More enforcement needed to be effective
More space for linear park and turn lanes
DESIGN APPROACH 2
Buses operate in a protected transitway with bus stops in the center, similar to light rail (Green Line)
More limited design and phasing flexibility
3 Shorter crosswalk legs, longer total crossing
More space for bus platforms
Less space for linear park and turn lanes
ONGOING OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS
• We are currently modeling the project at the corridor and intersection level to evaluate how different design approaches work for all modes
• The analysis includes projected volumes for planned development and will demonstrate how each design approach operates
• Results of the analysis will be used to refine a traffic scheme that most effectively and safely manages demand while allowing for necessary flexibility
• The outcome and comparison of this analysis will be the subject of our 3rd planned community engagement
What the at-grade looks like is still being thought through; looking at 2 design approaches. APPROACH 1 - curbside bus lanes; APPROACH 2 - dedicated middle of street bus lanes.
There’s a shorter URL for the same project page: boston.gov/rutherford
11.02.2026 23:59 —
👍 1
🔁 0
💬 0
📌 0
AT-GRADE DESIGN
Safety & Mobility: Space required for an underpass complicates pedestrian crossings, eliminates space for a continuous linear path, creates pinch points that eliminate turn lanes, and would continue to look and feel like a highway.
Resiliency & Reliability: We cannot design an underpass that would not be below the water table, creating cost, maintenance, and reliability issues. Flooding and freezing that occurs today would continue, resulting in continued unexpected detours and delays.
CITY OF BOSTON STREETS CABINET
Mayor Michelle Wu
ENGAGEMENT SCHEDULE
• Ongoing coordination with MassDOT and MBTA
• 2/3/26: Charlestown Neighborhood Council (CNC)
• 2/11/26: Community meeting #1
• Mid March: Community meeting #2 (date TBD)
• Mid April: Community meeting #3 (date TBD)
• May 2026: Submit 25% Design to the MassDOT
• MassDOT to host 25% Design Public Hearing late 2026
• Additional regular engagement and updates to be provided between 25% and design completion
CITY OF BOSTON STREETS CABINET
Meeting #1: General Update & Rutherford Ave
Focus on project background, major elements of the design, and share design approach options for Rutherford Ave
Meeting #2: Sullivan Square & Public Realm
Review feedback from meeting #1 and gather feedback on public realm opportunities for Sullivan Square, Rutherford Ave, and new linear park.
Meeting #3: Traffic Analysis
Share the results of traffic analysis and the proposed design for the 25% design submission.
Mayor Michelle Wu
AT-GRADE DESIGN
Project Risk: An underpass design would introduce significant delay, resulting in loss of existing project funding and critical failure and closure of the existing underpass structure prior to a replacement Cost: Constructing new underpasses would add at least $200M to the estimated total project construction cost, in addition to flood control elements such as pump stations
CITY OF BOSTON STREETS CABINET
Mayor Michelle Wu
SIDEWALK & LINEAR PARK
On the east side of Rutherford Ave, future sidewalks will be contained within a roughly 40' wide, 5+ acre linear park with a generous buffer! space and separate walking and biking paths
On the west side of Rutherford Ave, new buffer space will be added
CITY OF BOSTON STREETS CABINET
Mayor Michelle Wu
Boston will be moving ahead with an At-Grade design for Rutherford Ave/Sullivan Square!
• Mid March: meeting #2
• Mid April: meeting #3
• May: 25% Design to MassDOT
• late 2026: MassDOT 25% Design Hearing
@mayorwu.boston.gov @streets.boston.gov @boston.gov
More: www.boston.gov/departments/...
11.02.2026 23:47 —
👍 6
🔁 1
💬 1
📌 0
‼️ LAST CHANCE to apply for the #CommunityChangeGrant program!
This is your community’s chance to receive a $2,000 grant for projects related to healthy, active, and engaged places to live, work, and play. #ActivePeople
Apply TODAY by 10pmET/7pmPT: buff.ly/osYthPV
10.02.2026 19:03 —
👍 3
🔁 4
💬 1
📌 0
I had a foot surgery in November, and spent time on a knee scooter and a boot. I'm back in shoes, but it's still harder than usual to get around on cleared sidewalks, let alone now.
09.02.2026 14:55 —
👍 3
🔁 2
💬 0
📌 0
"It’s scary and dangerous for healthy adults, nerve-wracking for parents with small children, and simply impossible for the most vulnerable members of our communities. Worst of all, it’s this way by design."
06.02.2026 17:24 —
👍 2
🔁 4
💬 0
📌 0
The MassBike team at the MA State House Day of Action
Visiting Representative LeBoeuf's office on State House Day of Action
Visiting legislators to discuss current traffic safety camera bills
Coalition members, advocates, legislators and their staff, law enforcement, and legal experts gave testimonials and urged action during the State House Day of Action briefing.
An inspiring Day of Action at the MA State House! Thank you to all who participated for mobilizing around #trafficsafety.
View the replay here: youtu.be/7SikCE2XIIw
T4MA, MAVisionZeroCoalition, @familiesforsafestreets.org, @streetsboston.bsky.social, @walkmass.bsky.social, @bikeboston.bsky.social
04.02.2026 20:22 —
👍 5
🔁 5
💬 0
📌 0
To public agencies scolding pedestrians for walking along the roadway: we have no other choice if sidewalks are still not cleared.
At least this bus stop on North Main St. in Providence has a path from the curb to shelter. Good for able-bodied riders but a nightmare for people with disabilities. 😫
04.02.2026 11:12 —
👍 58
🔁 13
💬 2
📌 2
I had a friend visit this weekend who is still a bit wobbly from a broken ankle earlier in the year and OH WOW do I have a much clearer picture about the importance of clearing sidewalks, curb cuts, rail crossings, and the rest now.
04.02.2026 13:06 —
👍 51
🔁 10
💬 3
📌 0
Keeping curb cuts and sidewalks clear isn’t just a courtesy: it’s about access, safety, and equity for everyone. #ClearCurbCuts
28.01.2026 22:52 —
👍 6
🔁 3
💬 0
📌 1
YouTube video by WalkMassachusetts
#ClearCurbCuts - Meet Amy
With cleanup still underway from the storm that ended earlier this week and another potential nor’easter forecasted for New England this weekend, sidewalks, curb ramps, and crossings remain difficult to navigate in many communities across Massachusetts #ClearCurbCuts www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MV8...
28.01.2026 22:52 —
👍 7
🔁 3
💬 1
📌 0
Moving 15 inches of snow off of a sidewalk is hard. A single pass with a snowblower would save a lot of people a lot of back pain (or worse), and that’s a lot more valuable than an immaculate driving lane.
26.01.2026 16:34 —
👍 31
🔁 4
💬 5
📌 0
The inequity of muni street plowing vs residents clearing sidewalks is so magnified in a big snowfall like this.
Every hour or so, a plow comes thru to scrape asphalt.
Is the marginal value of paying that guy for that 10th street plowing at all comparable to a single run at the 15” on sidewalks?
26.01.2026 16:30 —
👍 60
🔁 8
💬 6
📌 2
Snow emergency
SNOW SHOVELING
Please clear an accessible path of travel on sidewalks and ramps to be sure folks can get around safely. Don't throw that snow back into the street!
If you are able, look out for neighbors who may need help.
BOSTON.GOV/SNOW
It’s time to shovel, Boston! Please clear an accessible path of travel on sidewalks and ramps to be sure folks can get around safely. Don’t throw snow back into the street.
If you are able, look out for neighbors who may need help.
26.01.2026 14:52 —
👍 6
🔁 5
💬 0
📌 1
More should be done to make streets safer for all
Drs. Natalia Barron Cervantes, Cassandra M. Kelleher, and Peter T. Masiakos highlighted an important safety concern in their Nov. 27 op-ed, “Massachusetts laws haven’t kept up with e-bike technology, and children are paying the price.” The authors recommend a number of regulations they’d like to see the Legislature enact.
At the end of 2024, the Legislature established a Special Commission on Micromobility, which has met five times this year. A report is due out soon, with findings that may require lawmakers to act to make streets safer both for people using micromobility devices and for pedestrians.
I would also note that removing the fastest and heaviest micromobility devices from sidewalks and trails across the Commonwealth would improve safety for people walking, running, and enjoying parks and trails, but there is more to do to improve mobility and safety for everyone. After all, the majority of fatal and serious crashes in Massachusetts involve automobiles. Users are often on sidewalks because streets are dangerous. We need to do everything we can to slow speeding drivers down, such as allowing municipalities to opt in to road safety cameras. Lawmakers should pass proposed legislation that would do that.
This letter from @brendanjkearney.bsky.social of @walkmass.bsky.social notes that while more regulation is needed for things like e-motos, our state has not made progress on other measures that would have an even larger impact on the safety of pedestrians and micro-mobility users.
10.12.2025 14:10 —
👍 21
🔁 6
💬 1
📌 0
Something I often talk about is the need for media outlets to put conversations about e-bike safety and regulations in the context of the larger danger on our streets: cars.
The Boston Globe published two letters to the editors that do this well. I'll thread them below.
10.12.2025 14:10 —
👍 63
🔁 17
💬 2
📌 1
Screenshot of MassDOT's IMPACT Crash Portal 'fatal crash information' dashboard with 2025 fatalities in brookline that shows 2 operator deaths.
INTRODUCTION
One of the primary objectives of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is to reduce the staggering human toll and property damage that motor vehicle traffic crashes impose on our society. Crashes each year result in thousands of lives lost, hundreds of thousands of injured victims, and billions of dollars in property damage. Accurate data are required to support the development, implementation, and assessment of highway safety programs aimed at reducing this toll. NHTSA uses data from many sources, including the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) that began operation in 1975. Providing data about fatal crashes involving all types of vehicles, the FARS is used to identify highway safety problem areas, provide a basis for regulatory and consumer information initiatives, and form the basis for cost and benefit analyses of highway safety initiatives.
FARS is a census of fatal motor vehicle crashes with a set of data files documenting all qualifying fatalities that occurred within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico since 1975. To qualify as a FARS case, the crash had to involve a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and must have resulted in the death of a motorist or a non-motorist within 30 days of the crash.
A reminder that anyone who dies more than 30 days after they are injured in a crash does not show up in official crash data (NHTSA/FARS rule.)
MassDOT's IMPACT Crash Portal 'fatal crash information' dashboard shows 2 operator deaths in Brookline.
apps.crashdata.dot.mass.gov/cdp/dashboar...
04.12.2025 16:08 —
👍 0
🔁 0
💬 0
📌 0
