Advocate
Many of the projects that have made Newton a more livable, walkable, bikeable city have been created and proposed by a variety of Newton citizens. Individuals have volunteered their time and energy to collaborate for Newton. Bike Newton has initiated many projects in Newton to make roads safer and more convenient for cyclists and pedestrians.
Your participation can make a difference. Click below to learn about some of the many projects that BikeNewton has advocated for with the Mayor and with City Council:
- Candidate Questionnaire Responses
- Bicycle Friendly Community
- Newton Bike Network Plan
- Improving Needham Street (Needham-Newton Corridor Project: MassDOT’s website; Newton’s website)
- Washington Street Pilot (Click HERE for Newton Planning Dept’s Projects.)
- Commonwealth Avenue Carriage Lane
These projects have been presented and discussed at community meetings, written about in local newspapers, and presented to City Councilors and other officials, including the Mayor. These projects are now either complete, near completion, or gaining traction, as more people in Newton become familiar with bike lanes, cycle tracks, and Complete Streets, and City Council members have become more supportive of these projects. The Planning Dept and the Dept of Public Works (DPW) have made huge strides in understanding the wisdom of designing streetscapes for all users, not just for cars.
If you are a BikeNewton member and on our mailing list, you will receive e-mail notifications when your advocacy is called for.
How do I contact my City councilors? Click HERE. How do I know which ward I live in so I can contact my ward councilor? Click HERE.
Always feel free to email your City Councilors directly.
Candidate Questionnaires
Candidate questionnaires are an important part of BikeNewton’s activities, come each election time. This includes not just City Council but also the School Committee, where support of Safe Routes to Schools becomes an important factor. Click here to see, for example, the responses we received for the November 2025 election.
Our 2022 Petition
PLEASE See our PETITION TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO IMPROVE BICYCLE SAFETY by clicking HERE!
Other Agencies
Other governmental agencies such as MA Dept of Transportation (DOT), Dept of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), and non-profit advocacy groups such as Transportation For Massachusetts and Biking Brookline and others are now also promoting safety and accessibility for all road users. MassBike is an important advocacy group that BikeNewton regularly collaborates with.
CLICK HERE for a more complete list of local advocacy groups.