To: Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

C I T Y O F C A M B R I D G E Community Development Department

BRIAN P. MURPHY To: Richard C. Rossi, City Manager Assistant City Manager for Community Development From: Brian P. Murphy, Assistant City Manager for Community Development

Date: October 16, 2013

Re: Calendar Item #3 dated September 16, 2013 and Council Order #16 dated September 9, 2013 regarding cyclist safety and education

The City of Cambridge works diligently to ensure that all modes of transportation are represented and planned for as we create a 21st Century Transportation system that is safe for our community. The City hosts three transportation-focused public committees, appointed by the City Manager: Pedestrian Committee, Bicycle Committee and Transit Committee. In addition to these committees, we work inter-departmentally between the Department of Public Works, Traffic, Parking & Transportation, and the Community Development Department to ensure that all modes are taken into consideration in all redevelopment, road maintenance, and construction projects.

The Community Development Department has worked closely with the MBTA for many years to coordinate clear communication between travelers and buses, as well as to plan for quality service in our community. In the past year, CDD staff have met with the MBTA to discuss, plan and implement the following:  Education/training of MBTA bus drivers around multi-modal use of public spaces (pedestrian, bicycle, bus/large trucks, and cars)  Routing and scheduling of MBTA bus routes through the City  Locations and needs for MBTA bus shelters within the City  Participation of the MBTA at City of Cambridge employee transportation fairs to discuss bicycling and the T (ensuring that City staff understand where and when bicycles are allowed on buses and trains operated by the MBTA)

Maintaining clear lines of communication between the MBTA and the City of Cambridge is a high priority, as transit is an essential mode of transportation in our community. With the understanding that all modes must share the roadway in a respectful manner, there are several additional ways in which the Community Development Department is currently working to provide better education to users of all modes of transportation: 344 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02139  Education of the community on multi-modal transportation options at Voice: 617 349-4600 most of the major employee transportation fairs in Cambridge, hosted by Fax: 617 349-4669 TTY: 617 349-4621 MIT, Harvard and other large property management companies www.cambridgema.gov  Promoting use of the bus bicycle racks by demonstrating the correct way to use them at events around town (in conjunction with the MBTA traveling bus rack display)  Creation of educational materials focused on transit, walking, carpooling, carsharing, driving alone, and bicycling  Creation of a vibrant and multi-faceted social marketing campaign to encourage sustainable transportation and discourage the use of single occupancy vehicles  Establishment of a robust bicycle education series, educating hundreds of cyclists on the rules of the road, safety, maintenance, and transportation civility

While showcasing large trucks to educate bicyclists has not been a part of our transportation strategy, there is opportunity to accomplish this at a variety of community events throughout Cambridge that already exhibit large trucks. The trucks, which historically have been used as a means for engaging children, could also help to educate all who travel around Cambridge about how to safely share the roads. Annual events such as Danehy Park Day and Fresh Pond Day could be enhanced by educating the public about the significance of large trucks on our streets, and providing a better understanding of how they operate. Additionally, each spring the Department of Public Works holds its Vehicle Road Show and displays a portion of its fleet. This event is open to the public and is an opportunity for community members to talk with drivers and learn more about DPW operations. CDD staff are always present at these events as part of their outreach on transportation in our community, and could easily connect the department’s ongoing multi-modal, strategic transportation programming to the interaction with large vehicles.