While most bicyclists obey signals and exercise caution when riding down Commonwealth Avenue, some have little regard for vehicles and pedestrians around them and think themselves immune to laws that regulate traffic. It is not only these bicyclists who should act more responsibly, but the City of Boston as well.
Though laws allow bicycle riders to use both roads and sidewalks in non-business districts, neither route is a completely safe means of commuting, and the city should provide bicycle-only lanes on both sides of Commonwealth Avenue. That way, drivers will not be bothered by slower bicycles and pedestrians not threatened by preventable collisions. These lanes would provide easier and more efficient transit for bike riders, forcing them to obey traffic signals and not disturb other commuters, while at the same time ensuring their safety.
The city should be commended for finally repaving BU’s section of Commonwealth Avenue, which up until the end of August was filled with potholes that accumulated over years of damaging snow storms and heavy rainfall. But if the city was willing to invest money into repaving, it should at least paint more visible lane dividers to alleviate the chaotic mess of driving, biking and crossing over Comm. Ave. that has resulted from the almost-nonexistent lines now painted.
Painting dividing lines and crosswalks would come at only a miniscule cost to the city, compared to the cost of asphalting. The lines would alleviate traffic congestion and provide commuters with better assurance a vehicle in front will not accidentally swing into the wrong lane.
Two accidents that occurred on Comm. Ave. near the BU Bridge in the past week should further prompt the city to draw clear lines and install plainly visible traffic signs, warning commuters of the dangers they face and preventing avoidable collisions from occurring.
Bicycle safety, as well as pedestrian and driver safety, should be a priority for the city government, especially in areas with such heavy congestion during rush hours as Comm. Ave. Not only would the dividing lines and the creation of a bicycle path boost safety and better organize the flow of traffic, but it would also come at only a small cost to taxpayers.