Official Proposes Ban On Bikes in Commons

Quad residents and Cantabrigians who bike through the Cambridge Commons might be forbidden from doing so, if Cambridge Vice Mayor Sheila T. Russell has her way.

Russell has again proposed a city ordinance that would ban all bicycle riding through the Commons, "in response to many complaints that people are being hurt" in collisions and accidents.

Russell's first proposal to prohibit bikes from the Commons failed before the full City Council two years ago.

The City Council's ordinance committee voted last night to postpone the proposal until June 1, but several councillors have voiced support for the proposal--which would complicate the travels of many Quad residents who bike to the Yard.

At yesterday's hearing, city officials voiced concerns about the feasibility of the proposal.

A ban would be "somewhat difficult to enforce," Deputy City Manager Richard C. Rossi told the council.

"We will not have personnel stationed at the Commons at all times to enforce it," Rossi added. Instead, he asked for more time for the city's Bicycle Committee--a group of residents appointed by the city manager--to design structural improvements to accommodate both bicyclists and pedestrians.

Currently the paths in the Commons are shared by both bicyclists and pedestrians. By city law, bicyclists are required to yield to pedestrians and to provide an audible signal and to slow down when approaching them, according to Elizabeth Epstein, director of the city's environmental program.

"I believe there is a way to create properfacilities that would not take away from thehistorical significance of the Commons," Rossitold the council. The Commons," which was used inthe 17th century as a common grazing field, islocated at the present-day intersection of GardenSt. and Mass. Ave.

New Pathways

The city is slated to receive $500,000 from thefederal Department of Transportation in fiscal1996 to design new pathways to separate bicyclepaths from pedestrian walkways, according toEpstein.

Epstein said Cambridge could being the projectas early as October, if recipients of otherfederal grants are not able to start on time.

The city would also change some landscaping andimprove sign postings in the Commons, Epsteinsaid. The new bicycle paths would be paved with"materials that will reinforce slow travel," notthe asphalt commonly used, she added.

But other councillors criticized the proposedimprovements, calling them a potential waste ofmoney.

"Are we really talking about spending $500,000on the Cambridge Commons for bicycle paths?" askedCouncillor Francis H. Duehay '55. "It's too smallan area to be having bicycles on."

Duehay said the improvements might attract evenmore bicyclists, those who usually ride on theside walks of Garden St. and Mass. Ave. Instead,he recommended that a bicycle path be constructedwhere cars currently park, on the eastern sided ofGarden St.

Councillor Michael A. Sullivan agreed thatbicycles should not be allowed in the Commons.

"The fear of both seniors and others to gothrough the Commons is ridiculous," Sullivan said.

Harvard's Presence

Harvard Police Sgt. Lawrence J. Fennelly, whosupervises the police department's bike-safetyprogram, and Director of Community Relations HappyGreen were present at the hearing.

"Harvard is very interested in working with thecity to find a resolution," Green said in aninterview after the meeting.

But Green said she did not yet know what typeof resolution might be reached. "The cityobviously has a right to do what it's going to dowith the Commons." Green said.

The issue of bike safety has also come beforethe Undergraduate Council's Committee on CampusLife, according to Pforzheimer House Co-MasterHanna M. Hastings.

Hastings, who regularly bikes through theCommons, said she would support "100 percent" acompromise that would accommodate both bicyclistsand pedestrians.

Pforzheimer House Master J. Woodland Hastingsagreed.

"One of the efforts the Cambridge city councilis to decrease automobile traffic in Cambridge,but they've done nothing to enhance the use ofalternate possibilities," he said.

"Bicycles have been terribly neglected," Mr.Hastings added. "The cost of bicycle lanes isminuscule compared to the cost of automobilestreets."

Mr. Hastings said Quad residents and oftendiscouraged from biking to the Yard because theyface dangers from drivers.

"As maters, we see there are enormous numbersof students who have bicycles, yet in a largenumber of instances they don't end up using thembecause it's not safe and it's not convenient."he said. "Many students have been hit by cars."

Mrs. Hastings said she would support theaddition of bicycle paths to the Yard as well.Currently, students must walk their bikes withinthe Yard.

"When we first became masters, we talked to theHarvard Planning Office to get a path built fromthe Quad to the Yard," Mrs. Hastings said She saidher efforts were unsuccessful.

Ordinance Committee

The ordinance committee is expected toreconsider the proposed ban and alternativecompromises late next month.

Russell said last night she is amenable to acompromise as long as it helps produce"responsible cyclists."

Russell said she proposed the ban to get theBicycle Committee moving faster.

"I actually proposed this to king of prod them,to get them to move a little faster on it," thevice mayor said

"I believe there is a way to create properfacilities that would not take away from thehistorical significance of the Commons," Rossitold the council. The Commons," which was used inthe 17th century as a common grazing field, islocated at the present-day intersection of GardenSt. and Mass. Ave.

New Pathways

The city is slated to receive $500,000 from thefederal Department of Transportation in fiscal1996 to design new pathways to separate bicyclepaths from pedestrian walkways, according toEpstein.

Epstein said Cambridge could being the projectas early as October, if recipients of otherfederal grants are not able to start on time.

The city would also change some landscaping andimprove sign postings in the Commons, Epsteinsaid. The new bicycle paths would be paved with"materials that will reinforce slow travel," notthe asphalt commonly used, she added.

But other councillors criticized the proposedimprovements, calling them a potential waste ofmoney.

"Are we really talking about spending $500,000on the Cambridge Commons for bicycle paths?" askedCouncillor Francis H. Duehay '55. "It's too smallan area to be having bicycles on."

Duehay said the improvements might attract evenmore bicyclists, those who usually ride on theside walks of Garden St. and Mass. Ave. Instead,he recommended that a bicycle path be constructedwhere cars currently park, on the eastern sided ofGarden St.

Councillor Michael A. Sullivan agreed thatbicycles should not be allowed in the Commons.

"The fear of both seniors and others to gothrough the Commons is ridiculous," Sullivan said.

Harvard's Presence

Harvard Police Sgt. Lawrence J. Fennelly, whosupervises the police department's bike-safetyprogram, and Director of Community Relations HappyGreen were present at the hearing.

"Harvard is very interested in working with thecity to find a resolution," Green said in aninterview after the meeting.

But Green said she did not yet know what typeof resolution might be reached. "The cityobviously has a right to do what it's going to dowith the Commons." Green said.

The issue of bike safety has also come beforethe Undergraduate Council's Committee on CampusLife, according to Pforzheimer House Co-MasterHanna M. Hastings.

Hastings, who regularly bikes through theCommons, said she would support "100 percent" acompromise that would accommodate both bicyclistsand pedestrians.

Pforzheimer House Master J. Woodland Hastingsagreed.

"One of the efforts the Cambridge city councilis to decrease automobile traffic in Cambridge,but they've done nothing to enhance the use ofalternate possibilities," he said.

"Bicycles have been terribly neglected," Mr.Hastings added. "The cost of bicycle lanes isminuscule compared to the cost of automobilestreets."

Mr. Hastings said Quad residents and oftendiscouraged from biking to the Yard because theyface dangers from drivers.

"As maters, we see there are enormous numbersof students who have bicycles, yet in a largenumber of instances they don't end up using thembecause it's not safe and it's not convenient."he said. "Many students have been hit by cars."

Mrs. Hastings said she would support theaddition of bicycle paths to the Yard as well.Currently, students must walk their bikes withinthe Yard.

"When we first became masters, we talked to theHarvard Planning Office to get a path built fromthe Quad to the Yard," Mrs. Hastings said She saidher efforts were unsuccessful.

Ordinance Committee

The ordinance committee is expected toreconsider the proposed ban and alternativecompromises late next month.

Russell said last night she is amenable to acompromise as long as it helps produce"responsible cyclists."

Russell said she proposed the ban to get theBicycle Committee moving faster.

"I actually proposed this to king of prod them,to get them to move a little faster on it," thevice mayor said