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Better Bike Lanes

We're working to build a network of safe, connected, and comfortable bike lanes throughout Boston. 

Enabling more trips by bike is essential to reaching our climate and public health goals. We need to make sure our streets are safe for the thousands of people who bike today — and for the many more who will choose to ride tomorrow.

While each block of safe, comfortable bike lane is important, it's more important that they connect to each other. A connected network is worth more than the sum of its parts.

Everyone in Boston deserves safe access to our bike network, no matter what neighborhood they're in. We're quickly closing gaps in Boston's emerging network of low-stress bike routes. We're also working intentionally with residents to design an expanded bike network that works for their communities.

  • Still have questions? Contact:
    Boston Bikes
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Our Plan

We're transforming Boston's streets to better serve people walking, rolling, and riding bikes. We're connecting our bike network and bringing safer streets to every neighborhood.

Explore

About our work

Our growing bike network must include the types of bike facilities that make the most people feel comfortable: separated bike lanes and traffic-calmed streets.

Boston has a large network of conventional bike lanes. These lanes dedicate about five feet of space in the street for bicycling. As we’ve added bike lanes across the City, more people have chosen to ride a bike to work, to the T, to farmers markets, or just for fun.

But, many people don’t feel comfortable riding in conventional bike lanes. That’s why we are creating more routes with separation between drivers and bicyclists. We're also creating traffic-calmed local streets.

A series of photos showing types of bike lanes organized from least comfortable to most comfortable.

Separated bike lanes are safe and predictable places for people to ride bikes. You and your family have your own space to ride. You can go at your own pace and ride side-by-side. If you're in a vehicle, you know where to expect people on bikes. You don't have to worry so much. A 13-year study of a dozen U.S. cities found that  separated bike lanes make streets safer for everyone, whether they are walking, driving, or biking.

Traffic-calmed local streets are designed for people. They discourage unnecessary through-traffic by drivers, while making useful connections for people walking or bicycling. These streets make it easier and safer to:

  • travel within your own neighborhood,
  • get to train stations or bus stops, and
  • connect with the city-wide bike network.

About Bike Lanes

About Bike Lanes
An adult bicycles toward us in a green bike. A yellow school bus is in the adjacent travel lane.
Bike Lane Types

Learn about the different bike lane types in the City of Boston.

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Design elements

View the different bike lane design elements in the City.

Bicycle Network Map

View a map of bicycle facilities in the City of Boston.

Bike Network Projects

We're working across the City to plan, design, and build bike lanes that are safe and comfortable. You'll find our projects listed below. We've grouped them based on when we anticipate to start construction.

In Design

Albany Street Better Bike Lane

We plan to add separated bike lanes to Albany Street in the South End and part of Lower Roxbury.

Berkeley Street

We will connect the South End, Back Bay, and Esplanade with a separated bike lane on Berkeley Street.

Comm. Ave. (BU East & Kenmore Square)

Comm. Ave. was one of the first streets in Boston to have a bike lane. Now, it's time to make them better.

Congress Street

Construction Starts 2024

We're redesigning Congress Street in the Fort Point neighborhood.

Connect Downtown

Ongoing

We're redesigning downtown streets to prioritize walking and to create a connected bike network.

Connect Downtown: Public Garden Crossings

We're redesigning downtown streets to prioritize walking and to create a connected bike network.

Dartmouth Street Safety and Mobility Improvements

We're connecting Copley Square and the Esplanade and making quick-build safety improvements at the Dartmouth Street/Stuart Street intersection.

Harrison Avenue (Ink Block)

We're reconstruction a portion of Harrison Avenue and adding separated bike lanes.

Hemenway Street

We will make Hemenway Street two-way for biking as part of a traffic-calming project in East Fenway.

Lower Roxbury Transportation Study

We're working with residents of Lower Roxbury to invest in their priorities.

McBride Street

Construction starts 2024

The Public Works Department plans to reconstruct sidewalks on McBride Street. We will add a contraflow bike lane with that project.

North Beacon Street

We are adding separated bike lanes to North Beacon Street between Everett Street and Vineland Street.

Poplar Street

We will improve crosswalks and add speed humps on Poplar Street, as well as a short section of contraflow bike lanes.

Rutherford Avenue/Sullivan Square

Redesigning Rutherford Avenue and Sullivan Square to improve safety and access for all modes of transportation.

State Street

We're rebuilding historic State Street to meet today's needs.

Western Avenue

We will add separated bike lanes on Western Avenue as a near-term action from the WACRZ planning process.

Using Parking-Protected Bike Lanes

See our tips for parking your car, getting in and out of your car, and bicycling on streets with parking-protected bike lanes.

Watch videos

Careers

We're hiring more planners and engineers across the Public Works and Transportation Departments to build a low-stress, connected bike network with protected bicycle facilities and traffic-calmed streets. 

Join us!

  • Still have questions? Contact:
    Boston Bikes
  • Get Updates

    Receive news about our work in your inbox.

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