A growing winter bike-riding population is looking for clean lanes in their dedicated areas. WBZ-TV’s Beth Germano reports.
>>> NOW, AT 5:30, TALK ABOUT A DANGEROUS RIDE. SNOW AND ICE STILL COVERING SOME BIKE LANES OUT THERE. GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR STAYING WITH US, I’M PAULA EBBEN. >> I’M CHRIS TANAKA. WHILE THERE ARE MANY BIKE LANES CLEAR, THE ONES THAT HADN’T
BEEN TOUCHED ARE IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE. AS WBZ’S BETH GERMANO SHOWS US, RIDERS SAY THAT IS PUTTING THEIR SAFETY AT RISK. >> Reporter: IT’S A HICCUP ALONG THE BIKE LANE FOR RIDER SAMUEL JEFFERSON. HITTING THIS ICY SNOWY STRETCH ALONG MASS AV
IN CAMBRIDGE. >> LESS THAN DESIRABLE. HARD TO RIDE ON SO I’M RIDING IN THE ROAD. >> Reporter: WHICH HE DOES STREET ALONGSIDE TRAFFIC. THE SAME FOR RICARDO RAMOS WHO AVOIDS THE BIKE LANE ALL TOGETHER.
>> WHEN I SAW ALL THE SNOW, I TAKE THE BUS LANE. >> Reporter: IT IS ONE THING TO GET THE STREETS CLEARED AFTER A SNOWSTORM, BUT A GROWING WINTER BIKE RIDING POPULATION IS ALSO LOOKING FOR CLEAN LANES IN THEIR DEDICATED AREAS.
>> WE TREAT THE BIKE LANES THE SAME WAY WE DO THE STREETS. >> Reporter: DPW COMMISSIONER JOHN NARDON SAYS THEY HAUL OUT THE SO-CALLED MULTIHOG DEDICATED TO BIKE LANES WHICH OFTEN PRESENT A THAW AND FREEZE ISSUE.
>> HEAVY WET SNOW. IT WHEN IT FREEZES UP IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET THE ICE REMOVED. >> Reporter: THERE HAVE BIN CREASING INVESTMENTS WITH THE EXPANSION OF BIKE LANES. AN INVESTMENT THAT DAY BY RIDER
PETER CHUNG SAYS NEED TO BE PRIORITY AS HE TRIES TO FIND CLEAR PATHS IN HIS TRAVELS AFTER A STORM. >> IF YOU GET TO A CERTAIN AREA WHERE SECTIONS ARE NOT PLOWED, YOU DON’T HAVE A CONNECTED NETWORK OF BIKE LANES.
>> IT CAN BE CHALLENGING FOR DPW CREWS. THEY ARE DEALING WITH POSTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO REMIND DRIVERS THESE ARE NOT PARKING SPACES. AND AS HE MANEUVERS HIS BIKE THROUGH THE ICY MASS AVENUE SECTION. >> THIS IS ONE DAY. OVERNIGHT.
IT IS HARD TO DEMAND SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF SOLUTION. BUT IF THIS COULD BE SOLVED SOON, IT WOULD BE BETTER. >> Reporter: IN AN EFFORT TO
10 Comments
I strongly agree. I was out today.
This is outrageous! Heads are going to roll when I call City Hall.
There should be a bike tax to pat for that service. Which the biking community is demanding
It's winter! Cars have trouble too.
No one should be riding a bike or scooter in the snow. That’s why we have cars
Everyone is so worried about the bike lanes, What about the sidewalks? My kids and their friends fell 3 times while walking on the sidewalks. Clean the sidewalks before you go worrying about the stupid bike lanes.
I pay excise tax on my vehicle. That’s what pays for things like, salt and sand on the roads. If you want a comfortable commute, grow up and get a car. If you do it for the environment, enjoy your Mother Nature.
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I don't think I've ever seen a local news agency do a story advocating for better bike lane conditions. Usually bikes are portrayed as a nuisance and an optional recreational tool, not as a mode used by regular people who are commuting to their jobs, all four seasons. Thank you for seeing us.
It looks like how well they maintain the roads in MA.