New Bike Lanes to Be Discussed Again in West Roxbury

The West Roxbury Business and Professional Association has invited the city’s Director of Bicycle Programs to another meeting to speak about the increased bike lanes in Boston.

Nicole Freedman will address concerned residents in a public session on Nov. 19 about the bike lanes, just a month after she attended last month’s WRBPA meeting.

“With the increased numbers of streets being ‘painted’ for bike lanes across the city and, specifically West Roxbury, we thought it would be a good time to talk to Nicole to find out more about what may be happening in our neck of the woods, including an update on the recently announced Baker/Spring/VFW Parkway projects,” Mary Mulvey Jacobson President, West Roxbury Business and Professional Association said in an email.

Boston officials said the new bike lanes and sharrows  that will be added along VFW Parkway  between Spring and Centre Streets will not affect city traffic.

Freedman told Patch that the new lanes will be added along the parkway’s existing six foot shoulder and will not reduce the number of traffic lanes. 

In addition to the lanes, the city will also add shared lane markings along the intersections where there are streetlights.

“For drivers there’s very little changes,”  Freedman said. “One of the key things that the markers do is call attention to the fact that there are cyclists there.  It’s really a win-win.  The road just becomes safer because the drivers are more aware of the cyclists.”

Mulvey said next week’s open meeting is needed because there is still a number of concerns. 

“I have been contacted by both businesses and residents in West Roxbury concerned about public safety for all concerned,” Mulvey said.

Any resident is invited to the meeting at the West Roxbury Police Station on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 7:30 pm. The West Roxbury Neighborhood Council will host the forum with the West Roxbury Business and Professional Association, Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley.