DCR Negligence Promotes Bicycle Hazard on BU Bridge

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) closed the southbound sidewalk on the BU Bridge in June, 2008 in order to start repairs on the bridge. Bicycle commuters are forced to enter the roadway on a dangerous uphill curve. They are restricted to a narrow, poorly marked portion of pavement next to an elevated concrete barrier. A few inches separate them from speeding trucks, buses, and cars. They are marginally visible to drivers. There is no provision for traffic calming, and motorized traffic continues at full speed.

Citizens have asked local governments to address this situation since construction began. But the DCR and municipal governments on either side of the bridge have ignored these requests. This video, which was recorded between 8 and 8:30 AM on Monday, October 27, 2008 provides evidence of this negligence.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• bicycles
• bike
• hazard
• commuting
• BU
• Bridge
• DCR
• Boston
• Cambridge
• government
• negligence
• traffic

[gcantori]

In this day and age it's amazing that active transportation folks are second and third class while the number one killer of people ages 1-33 is allowed to retain thier first class treatment. Cars Kill, pollute, encourage obeisity.....

[SamuelHammer]

Thanks for your comments. Amazing that active transportation people are the minority who are actually addressing energy issues by acting on it.

[madelinegoldberg9]

Thank you Professor for making us aware of the dangers of riding your bike on the BU bridge!

[SamuelHammer]

(-: thanks for watching!!

[bigpete100]

This video does not show you how entitled the self righteous bikers of Cambridge really are. How about we set up a video camera at any set of lights in Cambridge and watch how many bikers run through red lights totally disregarding anyone but themselves, or go up one way streets, or cut across pedestrian only ways? They choose convenience and entitlement over safety all of the time. So now you want others to be concerned for them. If you are concerned about their safety then advocate the law!

[SamuelHammer]

Thanks for your note. I agree that there is a lot of rudeness out there. Maybe you read some of the comments above...there are varying opinions as to what's behind that "rudeness," (self-preservation, etc.). Anyway, my bottom line is that we have to have shared responsibility, and that the dismal failure by the DCR to provide a design for safety during this construction is inviting disaster. There is just too much opportunity for accidents, as the video shows.

[kimpossibleFF5]

There is Not Enough Room on the Bridge to Accomidate an 11' Travel Lane & a 4 Foot Bike Shoulder. The Project will be Completed Next Year so Suck it up for One more Year. If it is so Dangerous Get off the Bike & Walk it across the Bridge on the Completely Opened Sidewalk on the Other Side. For Year we have Complained about the Bridges Condition, and now they are redoing the bridge and your going to complain.

[downfader2]

This is a shocking video and the way the traffic is managed seems to encourage a lot of very close overtakes.

Did they ever fix this, seeing as this is a year on? Did anyone suffer any injuries or get hit, too I wonder.

[HoneyBeeMarie88]

The DCR needs to accelerate the "Accelerated Bridge Program"! I don't understand why they would tear everything apart, create a safety hazard, and then leave it ! Especially in such a high traffic area. CARELESS !!

[SamuelHammer]

I agree that we have to fix the bridge. The purpose? So that people can get across it safely. It isn't logical that the repair process should reduce safety. Why not provide for safe crossing now AND in the future?