Better infrastructure can make streets safer—but many candidates are opposed

Separated bike lanes make biking significantly safer. For example, a Federal study across multiple cities—including Cambridge—showed a 50% reduction in crashes for people on bikes when flexpost separated bike lanes are installed. But sadly, not all Cambridge City Council candidates running in the Nov 4th election are willing to support safer infrastructure. Many are actually opposed, and so we suggest you do NOT vote for these candidates:

• John Hanratty sued the City to remove every quickbuild (flexpost) bike lane in Cambridge.
• Councilor Ayesha Wilson has stated that “I really despise the fact that we have this conversation in a matter of life or death” and dismissed cyclists’ deaths, saying “sadly, accidents happen.” She’s also suggested reconsidering the commitment to to Cambridge’s Vision Zero plan for reducing traffic crash deaths and severe injuries to zero, citing the pandemic.
• Mayor E. Denise Simmons has been fighting against bike lanes since 2017.
• Tim Flaherty won’t support the continued installation bike lanes because he claims they are not safe, nor is he willing to commit to making intersections safer.

And these are just a subset of the candidates who are opposed to bike lanes; there are others.

Our city is full of teenagers and adults, residents and visitors, all of whom bike, and all of whom deserve to be safe. Who should you vote for to ensure everyone arrives home safely?

Want safer infrastructure? Here’s who you should vote for

Our sister organization Cambridge Bicycle Safety has endorsed the following candidates; those marked in bold with a bicycle were additionally designated as Bike Champions:

• Burhan Azeem 🚲
• Marc McGovern 🚲
• Sumbul Siddiqui 🚲
• Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler 🚲
• Ayah Al-Zubi 🚲
• Dana Ray Bullister 🚲
• Ned Melanson 🚲
• Patty Nolan
• Cathie Zusy
• LaQueen Battle
• Peter Hsu
• Stan Rivkin

Visit the CBS election page to learn more about the criteria used for these endorsements and categories. The election is Tuesday, November 4th and the registration deadline is October 25th. Early voting runs from October 25 to October 31. If you sign up with them here they will send you a reminder to vote on election day.