Tom
@badusername2121.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom
I had a friend visit this weekend who is still a bit wobbly from a broken ankle earlier in the year and OH WOW do I have a much clearer picture about the importance of clearing sidewalks, curb cuts, rail crossings, and the rest now.
To public agencies scolding pedestrians for walking along the roadway: we have no other choice if sidewalks are still not cleared.
At least this bus stop on North Main St. in Providence has a path from the curb to shelter. Good for able-bodied riders but a nightmare for people with disabilities. 😫
At least this bus stop on North Main St. in Providence has a path from the curb to shelter. Good for able-bodied riders but a nightmare for people with disabilities. 😫
February 4, 2026 at 1:06 PM
I had a friend visit this weekend who is still a bit wobbly from a broken ankle earlier in the year and OH WOW do I have a much clearer picture about the importance of clearing sidewalks, curb cuts, rail crossings, and the rest now.
Opened with much fanfare last year as a key bike connection to the city, the Bill Russell Bridge’s bike lanes have not been shoveled over a week after the snowstorm. @massdot.bsky.social @mass.streetsblog.org @mikeconnollyma.bsky.social @mayorwu.boston.gov
February 3, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Opened with much fanfare last year as a key bike connection to the city, the Bill Russell Bridge’s bike lanes have not been shoveled over a week after the snowstorm. @massdot.bsky.social @mass.streetsblog.org @mikeconnollyma.bsky.social @mayorwu.boston.gov
Reposted by Tom
Eyes On the Street: Days After the Storm, Boston’s Sidewalks Are An Inaccessible Mess - mass.streetsblog.org/2026/01/29/e...
Eyes On the Street: Days After the Storm, Boston's Sidewalks Are An Inaccessible Mess - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Thousands of different property owners are responsible for clearing the city's sidewalks, and there's considerable variation in sidewalk accessibility after winter storms.
mass.streetsblog.org
January 29, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Eyes On the Street: Days After the Storm, Boston’s Sidewalks Are An Inaccessible Mess - mass.streetsblog.org/2026/01/29/e...
Dismounting required for all users of the Community Path at School St, its most dangerous intersection. Curb cut and adjacent sidewalk not shoveled.
@311somerville.bsky.social @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
@311somerville.bsky.social @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Dismounting required for all users of the Community Path at School St, its most dangerous intersection. Curb cut and adjacent sidewalk not shoveled.
@311somerville.bsky.social @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
@311somerville.bsky.social @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
Fortunately the unplowed bike lane has been stamped down enough for this mother and her children to detour cautiously around the completely blocked sidewalk to access the Green Line.
January 29, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Fortunately the unplowed bike lane has been stamped down enough for this mother and her children to detour cautiously around the completely blocked sidewalk to access the Green Line.
School St sidewalk to Gilman station completely blocked by unshoveled snow and snow bank.This is 1 of 2 enhanced enforcement streets, primary access to our busiest green line station, and visible from the windows of City Hall. @311somerville.bsky.social ticket submitted this morning.
January 29, 2026 at 12:04 AM
School St sidewalk to Gilman station completely blocked by unshoveled snow and snow bank.This is 1 of 2 enhanced enforcement streets, primary access to our busiest green line station, and visible from the windows of City Hall. @311somerville.bsky.social ticket submitted this morning.
Reposted by Tom
I should not be able to skate on the sidewalk!
@jake4somerville.bsky.social @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social @cityofsomerville.bsky.social how can we force this property owner to maintain their sidewalk in the winter? The current strategy is not working.
@jake4somerville.bsky.social @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social @cityofsomerville.bsky.social how can we force this property owner to maintain their sidewalk in the winter? The current strategy is not working.
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
I should not be able to skate on the sidewalk!
@jake4somerville.bsky.social @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social @cityofsomerville.bsky.social how can we force this property owner to maintain their sidewalk in the winter? The current strategy is not working.
@jake4somerville.bsky.social @mayorjakewilson.bsky.social @cityofsomerville.bsky.social how can we force this property owner to maintain their sidewalk in the winter? The current strategy is not working.
Reposted by Tom
Lifting this out of my nerdy city council thread.
The Somerville City Council has once again voted to accept state funds to pay overtime to cops to harass cyclists under the fig leaf of "education."
Shame.
The Somerville City Council has once again voted to accept state funds to pay overtime to cops to harass cyclists under the fig leaf of "education."
Shame.
Next up is the committee report from the finance committee.
It includes the truly odious annual $65k: "from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Police Department for the Municipal Road Safety Program."
This is the money the cops get to harass cyclists.
40/?
It includes the truly odious annual $65k: "from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Police Department for the Municipal Road Safety Program."
This is the money the cops get to harass cyclists.
40/?
January 23, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Lifting this out of my nerdy city council thread.
The Somerville City Council has once again voted to accept state funds to pay overtime to cops to harass cyclists under the fig leaf of "education."
Shame.
The Somerville City Council has once again voted to accept state funds to pay overtime to cops to harass cyclists under the fig leaf of "education."
Shame.
Reposted by Tom
This meeting is moving -fast- so I'm not going to be able to grab the whole PTAC (Pedestrian Transit Advisory Committee) recommendations on McGrath - but @jtforward2.bsky.social notes that the very first one is NO NEW HAWK SIGNALS and I heartily concur.
24/?
24/?
January 9, 2026 at 12:41 AM
This meeting is moving -fast- so I'm not going to be able to grab the whole PTAC (Pedestrian Transit Advisory Committee) recommendations on McGrath - but @jtforward2.bsky.social notes that the very first one is NO NEW HAWK SIGNALS and I heartily concur.
24/?
24/?
The new @massdot.bsky.social Bill Russell Bridge has a poorly thought out drainage system where water from the planters drains into the bike lane. In warm weather there are puddles every morning, and now it is going to be icy and hazardous all winter. @mikeconnollyma.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The new @massdot.bsky.social Bill Russell Bridge has a poorly thought out drainage system where water from the planters drains into the bike lane. In warm weather there are puddles every morning, and now it is going to be icy and hazardous all winter. @mikeconnollyma.bsky.social
How can the newly built bus boarding platforms on Summer St be repurposed now that #MBTA Bus route 85 permanently cut back to Bow St in Somerville? Did we know of this in advance?
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social @jake4somerville.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
www.mbta.com/service-chan...
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social @jake4somerville.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
www.mbta.com/service-chan...
December 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
How can the newly built bus boarding platforms on Summer St be repurposed now that #MBTA Bus route 85 permanently cut back to Bow St in Somerville? Did we know of this in advance?
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social @jake4somerville.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
www.mbta.com/service-chan...
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social @jake4somerville.bsky.social @benforward3.bsky.social
www.mbta.com/service-chan...
It’s crazy that seemingly nobody at @massdot.bsky.social has sat and watched a HAWK in action. It doesn’t matter how many signs you put up, drivers don’t understand it and don’t obey it. At least a RRFB is more difficult to ignore.
Q: Why is the crosswalk at Otis on the side it is?
A: because Otis is meeting a one-way street and we wanted the crosswalk where drivers will be looking.
Q: HAWKS are confusing for drivers. Use traditional signals or RFB
A: there will indications so highly visible
50/?
A: because Otis is meeting a one-way street and we wanted the crosswalk where drivers will be looking.
Q: HAWKS are confusing for drivers. Use traditional signals or RFB
A: there will indications so highly visible
50/?
December 11, 2025 at 3:39 AM
It’s crazy that seemingly nobody at @massdot.bsky.social has sat and watched a HAWK in action. It doesn’t matter how many signs you put up, drivers don’t understand it and don’t obey it. At least a RRFB is more difficult to ignore.
Reposted by Tom
Boston Data Show Streets With New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic, With Fewer Cars and Way More Bikes - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/12/05/b...
Boston Data Show Streets With New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic From Cars to Bikes - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Mayor Wu has hard evidence that her bike lane projects are helping reduce traffic – but her administration is reluctant to share it.
mass.streetsblog.org
December 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Boston Data Show Streets With New Bike Lanes Successfully Shift Traffic, With Fewer Cars and Way More Bikes - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/12/05/b...
Reposted by Tom
Open house with MassDOT this evening as local residents engaged with the latest plans for the McGrath Boulevard project, which will tear down the overpass and redo the corridor with protected bike lanes, trees and green space. One of the many highlights is a new, elevated crosswalk at Otis Street!
December 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Open house with MassDOT this evening as local residents engaged with the latest plans for the McGrath Boulevard project, which will tear down the overpass and redo the corridor with protected bike lanes, trees and green space. One of the many highlights is a new, elevated crosswalk at Otis Street!
Reposted by Tom
🚧TANTALIZING! We all hate the awful 90° intersection of the Community Path and School St, and at long last some possible solutions are emerging. Three scenarios, still early in planning/feasibility, were just presented to the Council! More info: somervillema.legistar.com/MeetingDetai...
November 29, 2025 at 10:28 PM
🚧TANTALIZING! We all hate the awful 90° intersection of the Community Path and School St, and at long last some possible solutions are emerging. Three scenarios, still early in planning/feasibility, were just presented to the Council! More info: somervillema.legistar.com/MeetingDetai...
Reposted by Tom
Paying With Their Time: Increasing Traffic Congestion Erodes Benefits of Boston’s Fare-Free @mbta.com Buses - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/19/p...
November 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Paying With Their Time: Increasing Traffic Congestion Erodes Benefits of Boston’s Fare-Free @mbta.com Buses - mass.streetsblog.org/2025/11/19/p...
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social while I wish the Facbook page fear mongering were correct that this work means the McGrath Blvd construction is starting, do you know if there are any safety improvements planned by MassDOT as part of the ongoing median reconstruction?
November 18, 2025 at 11:07 PM
@somervilleinfr1.bsky.social while I wish the Facbook page fear mongering were correct that this work means the McGrath Blvd construction is starting, do you know if there are any safety improvements planned by MassDOT as part of the ongoing median reconstruction?
Reposted by Tom
Featured comment on our Arborway story (linked below)
"If an airport had a poor safety record and they refused to take corrective action in a timely manner would we continue to let them operate?"
www.reddit.com/r/streetsblo...
"If an airport had a poor safety record and they refused to take corrective action in a timely manner would we continue to let them operate?"
www.reddit.com/r/streetsblo...
Flat_Try747's comment on "Your Annual Update That DCR’s Arborway Redesign Still Isn’t Happening"
Explore this conversation and more from the streetsblogmass community
www.reddit.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Featured comment on our Arborway story (linked below)
"If an airport had a poor safety record and they refused to take corrective action in a timely manner would we continue to let them operate?"
www.reddit.com/r/streetsblo...
"If an airport had a poor safety record and they refused to take corrective action in a timely manner would we continue to let them operate?"
www.reddit.com/r/streetsblo...
Got beeped at the other day for stopping at the HAWK by 93 as an elderly man pushed his wife in a wheelchair through the crosswalk in front of me. Red light + camera is the only way to get drivers to give up their perceived priority over pedestrians.
unless we are going to send everyone back to driver's ed, let's just do away with HAWK signals please 🙏
This morning in WBUR Today: What's a pedestrian hybrid beacon? The traffic light Mass. drivers keep messing up
Plus:
— What happens if the Cape bridges aren't rebuilt?
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10... @wbur.org
Plus:
— What happens if the Cape bridges aren't rebuilt?
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10... @wbur.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Got beeped at the other day for stopping at the HAWK by 93 as an elderly man pushed his wife in a wheelchair through the crosswalk in front of me. Red light + camera is the only way to get drivers to give up their perceived priority over pedestrians.
Reposted by Tom
It’s been a long time coming, our contractor has installed precast concrete curbs along the bike lane on Curtis Street. More coming to Washington Street soon! 🚲
October 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
It’s been a long time coming, our contractor has installed precast concrete curbs along the bike lane on Curtis Street. More coming to Washington Street soon! 🚲
Reposted by Tom
We need to work with our state delegation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to make necessary changes to Route 16 that reduce unsafe driver behavior like speeding and red light running. And it’s high time drivers experienced consequences for this reckless behavior.
October 11, 2025 at 2:41 AM
We need to work with our state delegation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to make necessary changes to Route 16 that reduce unsafe driver behavior like speeding and red light running. And it’s high time drivers experienced consequences for this reckless behavior.
Reposted by Tom
am I watching things on television that are different from what’s happening?
September 30, 2025 at 11:19 PM
am I watching things on television that are different from what’s happening?
@jfh01.bsky.social The cast in place concrete is the right way to go.
The only people I could imagine are in favor of the zebra bumps are delivery drivers and wrist surgeons.
I’ve crashed once before hitting the base of a flex post with no post, these are far less visible.
The only people I could imagine are in favor of the zebra bumps are delivery drivers and wrist surgeons.
I’ve crashed once before hitting the base of a flex post with no post, these are far less visible.
Boston Tries Out ‘Better Barriers’ to Sub For Battered Bollards
"Long-term, our goal is to move away from flexposts in most circumstances," says @boston.gov's Chief of Streets.
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/09/30/b...
"Long-term, our goal is to move away from flexposts in most circumstances," says @boston.gov's Chief of Streets.
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/09/30/b...
Boston Tries Out 'Better Barriers' to Sub For Battered Bollards - Streetsblog Massachusetts
"Long-term, our goal is to move away from flexposts in most circumstances," says Boston's Chief of Streets.
mass.streetsblog.org
October 1, 2025 at 2:50 AM
@jfh01.bsky.social The cast in place concrete is the right way to go.
The only people I could imagine are in favor of the zebra bumps are delivery drivers and wrist surgeons.
I’ve crashed once before hitting the base of a flex post with no post, these are far less visible.
The only people I could imagine are in favor of the zebra bumps are delivery drivers and wrist surgeons.
I’ve crashed once before hitting the base of a flex post with no post, these are far less visible.
Boston’s new “Better Buffers” initiative plans to replace flexposts with cast-in-place curbs. Somerville has started using pre-cast curbs recently. I assume pre-cast is cheaper/quicker to implement and just as protective as cast-in-place.
www.boston.gov/departments/...
www.boston.gov/departments/...
September 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Boston’s new “Better Buffers” initiative plans to replace flexposts with cast-in-place curbs. Somerville has started using pre-cast curbs recently. I assume pre-cast is cheaper/quicker to implement and just as protective as cast-in-place.
www.boston.gov/departments/...
www.boston.gov/departments/...
Reposted by Tom
When they founded this country some 250 years ago, one of the core ideas was that it shouldn’t be this hard to figure out why someone was deprived of their liberty (or where they are being held) by the government.
September 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
When they founded this country some 250 years ago, one of the core ideas was that it shouldn’t be this hard to figure out why someone was deprived of their liberty (or where they are being held) by the government.