Following up on work to advance comprehensive and sustainable transportation policy for the City of Boston, the City Council’s Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Transportation released a report summarizing findings from a series of policy briefings held over the previous six months. The report includes links to full video of the hearings, graphics addressing key challenges, and recommendations for active transportation in Boston. This transportation briefings represents the first ever policy briefing series undertaken by the Council, following an order filed by Council President Michelle Wu in November 2016.
The Committee held a series of five policy briefings on the topics of Low Stress Bicycle Networks, Pedestrian Service and Safety, Systematic Safety and VisionZero (the movement to have zero pedestrian or cycling fatalities in the City of Boston), Transit Priority, and Parking Management. The hearings were chaired by Committee Chairman, Councilor Salvatore LaMattina, in partnership with Northeastern University Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Peter G. Furth and included policy experts, local advocates, community members, and other stakeholders.
“This is an important step in the process of collaborating for smarter transportation policy for the City of Boston,†said Council President Wu. “In addition to the pressing need to eliminate pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, transportation policy has important implications for the economic vitality of our city. Longer commute times are correlated with higher unemployment rates and lower odds of escaping poverty. By creating safe walking and cycling options and smoother transportation experiences for everyone in our city, we will not only be protecting the health and wellness of our residents but also working to decrease income inequality.â€
Council President Wu has been a vocal member of the Council regarding the links between transportation policy, economic opportunity, and climate justice. The recommendations in the report include actions to be taken by city, state, and residents. You can read the entire report here: http://bit.ly/2r53h3d.