Let me add to this very thoughtful suggestion, that tall the people on or off vehicles try to rise to the level of thoughtful sharing of limited space. I see this done again and again as a driver and a pedestrian.

Are you sure about this? I drive every time I use your restaurant. Less parking may mean, I visit less.

Bikes always ride on the sidewalks in Inman Square, and ride the wrong way down one way streets, and in bike lanes and in car lanes - basically everywhere.

@Cambridge 101: cars always drive and park in the bike lanes in Cambridge, and drive the wrong way down one way streets, and speed in general travel lanes, and fail to come to a complete stop, basically everywhere.

Your and my comments really have nothing to do with this specific suggestion of prioritizing safe travel over personal property storage.

@Lordmcfuzz - Construction projects always take away parking for weeks if not months at a time, that's already started for the gas and sewer work (see below). Taking away parking for 2+ years for the project doesn't changes anything for bikes, the construction vehicles will just block the space and bikers will face the same issue.

In conjunction with the Inman Square Intersection Improvements Project, beginning on or about April 3rd and continuing for 1-2 weeks, the City’s Contractor, National Water Main will be in the Inman Square area to analyze subsurface pipe conditions. Crews will be working in select manholes for a few hours at a time on the following streets:

Hampshire St.
Cambridge St.
Springfield St.
Oak St.
Oakland St.
Fayette St.
Antrim St.
Inman St.

Public Works - JF (Engineering) u xilsaaray arrinkan Public Works - JF (Engineering)

Thanks for your comment. The construction management plans for the Inman Square project have been developed to provide safe passage for all modes of travel through the project area; while providing sufficient space for the contractor to safely manage the construction activities. This will require modifications to travel patterns and inconvenience for all of the users of Inman Square. In addition to providing a safe work zone, we are working closely with the businesses to manage the overall impacts of this project on their operations and maintain some parking and particularly loading to support their operations. We understand that achieving a balance of all needs is challenging during construction, and we appreciate the public’s patience and continued support of the local small businesses. We will be monitoring the traffic management plan and will make adjustment throughout the construction.

Please note that the prohibition on sidewalk bicycle riding in Inman Square remains in effect during construction. We have not seen an increase in cyclists using the sidewalk, but will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of all users.

Thanks for fixing this request!

Doesn't appear like the issue is fixed. This morning it was still the same set up. There is a huge increase in cyclists riding on the sidewalk (from Walgreens on Beacon street towards the intersection) in the last 2 weeks since the construction started. It appears that the parking ban ends at the city line, but the construction sign is placed further up the road by Walgreens on Beacon in Somerville. Cambridge and Somerville need to communicate and address this issue. Based on all the warning signs being put up, the parking ban should have started at Walgreens so cyclists have enough space and notice to merge into traffic. This is a large scale project that will last a few years and the current set up is really shortsighted and unacceptable.

We have reviewed the current signage and how it relates to the gas work in Cambridge and the sidewalk work in Somerville, and feel it is currently acceptable and cyclists appear to be merging appropriately before the bike lane ends. Please note that the work zones in both Cambridge and Somerville will be dynamic during the two projects' construction periods, and we will continue to coordinate with Somerville and update signage as needed.

We have noted the increase in sidewalk riding, and will try to widen the southbound lane in future phases of the work to allow more room for cyclists to filter through. It is not possible in this phase however, due to the size of the excavation in the roadway.

We understand the work causes delays and inconvenience for all users of the roadway, and urge all users to operate appropriately.