Hundreds of short car trips, which produce the most damaging exhaust emissions, could be replaced by bike trips. Newton is a small, quiet city, often cited as one of the safest cities in America. And yet many don’t bike more often because they feel “It isn’t safe.” Bike Newton came about to make bicycling safe and convenient for all types of riders: young and old, male and female, timid and risk-prone. And we continue in that mission.

Many U.S. cities are moving forward in the effort to improve bicycling safety. The City of Newton is proud to now be one of those cities. We are pleased to see the City of Newton making steady progress on many of our goals.

BIKEWAY

To create central bikeways, especially north-south routes, as recommended in the Newton Bicycle Network Plan. Strategically located bikeways will link together all of Newton’s thirteen villages and make biking much safer for doing errands, commuting, and recreation. These routes willd have either painted bike lanes or sharrows (follow link and see image), or separated bike lanes, on a case by case basis.
To provide maps showing safe and recommended bike routes in Newton

INCENTIVES

To provide incentives for bicycle commuting, bicycle-sharing programs, and bicycle delivery services. Please Visit the City of Newton’s Bicycling web page (see BikeShare) to learn more about Newton’s BlueBikes.

CONNECTIVITY

To create bicycle connectivity among Newton’s major destinations: T stations, schools, libraries, business districts, the Charles River Bike Path, parks and bordering communities. The City of Newton is making important strides in this goal, with proven, inexpensive well-marked bike lanes on all major roads, in accordance with MA State law.

SIGNAGE

Use proven signage and road markings, and other traffic-calming interventions to enable bicycles and motor vehicles to share roadways safely.
Where appropriate, to lobby the City of Newton through existing mechanisms, such as Traffic Council and Public Safety and Transportation Committee, letters to City Council members and the Mayor, and to the State of Massachusetts for a safer city-wide speed limit.

SUSTAINABILITY

Newton’s Climate Action Plan calls for carbon neutrality by 2025. The Dept of Sustainability and Resilience going forward will be including Bike Lanes and Bicycling in its plans for achieving that goal.

Newton North High School students asked Bike Newton if we would provide a table at Earth Day 2024 to educate students about advocating for more bike lanes in Newton We did.

EDUCATION

Educate residents about bicycle safety laws and the mutual responsibilities of motorists and bicyclists.
Encourage safest routes for bicyclists.

SECURE and PLENTIFUL BIKE RACKS

Continue to increase the number of free and privately-sponsored, conveniently-located bike racks and bike cages Newton’s public schools and village centers, and add secure bike parking areas in City of Newton parking lots.

PROMOTE NEWTON’S 311 SYSTEM

Encourage Newton’s residents to utilize Newton’s 311 system for reporting and rapidly repairing safety hazards (potholes, sunken storm drains, gravel, sand, broken pavement, tree limbs) that put bicyclists at risk. NOTE: Are you registered with Newton’s 311 system? You can also download the 311 app to use on your mobile phone.

BICYCLING REPRESENTATIVES ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Members of groups such as BikeNewton to represent the safety needs of cyclists on City relevant projects such as village revitalization, major road upgrades, and more.