Ornoth

Back on September 20th, Boston City Councilor Jerry McDermott held a public city council hearing in response to the death of a cyclist in Brighton. In typical fashion, his response to a cyclist operating in the street being killed by a motor vehicle was to put up more signs and crosswalks for pedestrians—something which has absolutely no relevance to cyclists or the woman who was killed while riding her bike. Despite the hundred-odd cyclists who attended the hearing, bicycling issues were aggressively declared out of scope for the evening.

However, a promise was made to hold a subsequent hearing to hear cyclists’ concerns, and City Councilor Maura Hennigan ensured that it happened. On November 22nd I joined another hundred-plus cyclists for a discussion of the reinstatement of the city’s Bicycling Coordinator, a position which was eliminated due to budget cuts after barely a year in existence.

After a rambling, ponderous presentation by an ad hoc group of five people calling themselves “The Boston Bicycle Planning Initiative” that ran more than three times its allotted length, the floor was opened to the public for comment. Having been one of the first people to show up, I was one of the few people who were allowed to speak before the session ran out of time. I would like to keep a record of what I said, so here it is:

My name is Ornoth Liscomb. I am a homeowner and resident of 160 Commonwealth Ave, the Vendome, which is in Ward 5, Precinct 7, the Back Bay.

I am a cyclist who rides approximately 4,000 miles per year in greater Boston, a large percentage of which is within the city limits. I ride year-round for health, commuting, tourism, errands, enjoyment, and in support of charity. Cycling is my primary method of transportation.

Boston has a lively cycling community. Our advocacy organization, MassBike, is led by responsible, well-informed, and nationally-respected figures. We have identified a number of opportunities for the city of Boston to improve the safety of cyclists and its overall support of cycling. These include:

• promotion of cycling as a healthy, safe, economical, and environmentally responsible mode of transportation
• education of the police, cyclists, and motor vehicle drivers on existing traffic laws with respect to cycling
• improved enforcement of those existing laws
• input on design, safety, maintenance, and policing of bicycle facilities, which includes both shared-use roadways as well as recreational paths
• and much, much more.

Most of the people in this audience have a very intimate knowledge of what Boston streets are like for cyclists. We have a lengthy list of concerns and many ideas that could make cycling in Boston safer and more enjoyable for riders of all ages and styles.

This is not the proper forum to air all those specific ideas and concerns. However, I cannot think of a better first step for the city to take in addressing the concerns of cyclists than by the presence of a knowledgeable cycling advocate within the city bureaucracy, who can in turn ensure that our specific concerns will be heard by the individuals and organizations that are most able to help us implement positive, effective changes.

I therefore urge you to re-establish and fund the Bicycle Coordinator position within Boston city government, and reinstate the disbanded Boston Bicycle Advisory Committee. Thank you.