Bostonians Celebrate New Bike Lanes: Reduced Traffic and Increased Cycling

Bostonians are celebrating the successful implementation of the Better Bike Lanes project, which has substantially increased bicycle trips while modestly reducing traffic congestion in the metropolitan area.

According to a report from the City of Boston, the project, part of Mayor Michelle Wu's election platform, aimed to enhance cycling infrastructure between 2023 and 2024. By autumn 2024, significant improvements were made, including the installation of bike lanes, bikeways, and new road crossings.

The study revealed a 22% rise in bike traffic on South Street in Brighton, adding about 16 bikes per day. More dramatically, Bolyston Street in Back Bay witnessed an 83% increase in daily bike trips, jumping from 615 to 1,127 after the lanes were added.

On Milk Street, a new single-direction bike lane recorded nearly 200 more bikes than previously, while Western Avenue saw a 51% increase in average daily bike traffic, with over 200 more cyclists. However, the impact on motor vehicle traffic was also noted, with a modest 9% drop near Fairfield Street and a 14% drop near Arlington Street between September 2022 and September 2024.

Tiffany Cogell, executive director of the Boston Cyclists Union, emphasized that the new bike lanes are reducing crashes and improving predictability in urban mobility. She stated that this evidence-based policymaking is essential for the city's future.