Biking in Boston

[as02143]

Maybe this is just blind optimism, but the information coming directly from the city really did seem to support the idea that flexposts would be replaced with nicer, permanent barriers. Nothing has been explicit (or even implicit IMO) about removing any bike lanes. The aesthetics of old flexposts does genuinely seem to be a key issue here, and I can't say I disagree. Even when they're not hit by cars, they do become discolored and grimy quite quickly. The North Beacon St bike lanes have been in for less than 6 months and the flexposts are in pretty rough shape. Getting these replaced by concrete barriers and/or planters would look a whole lot better.

Regardless of the end result here, it is disappointing that the flexposts are being removed before a replacement is being installed (or even any plan communicated). Leaving the lanes unprotected, even if only for a few days or weeks, puts cyclists at risk. I fully expected BTD and this administration to do better, and hope they do in the future.

For more context, here's the initial Streetsblog article on the Boylston Street bus lane removal, which also included info on bus/bike lane changes (emphasis mine):

That is a very Pollyanna view on this all.

 

[themissinglink]

City removes bike lane protective barriers - The Boston Globe

Where flexible-post bollards once lined green bikeways, there are now empty holes.

www.bostonglobe.com

In a statement sent to the Globe on Friday afternoon, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s press office said the flexposts on Arlington Street were “removed for routine maintenance after sustaining heavy damage during winter storms in February,” but did not elaborate on how long maintenance would take or when they could be back up.
Meanwhile, according to the city, the Mass. Ave. flexposts “were removed in response to feedback from community members.”

This is arguably the most infuriating part of this whole fiasco:

Others also said they were frustrated that it takes years of community input to get bike infrastructure installed, yet the city gave residents no notice before abruptly removing the protections.

 

[FK4]

Definitely concerning and hard to not assume this is some nefarious shit given the timing.

 

[as02143]

Yeah, while the national attention on Mayor Wu is rah-rah "defeat the FaScIsTs!", it's wild that she's made it that much more feasible for drivers to kill cyclists. Makes me think she values drivers lives more than those who bike.