Alongside the intersection of Mechanic and Elliot streets are two raised bike lanes. The lanes jut out a few feet on both sides of a sharply curved section of the roadway.

The lanes are a part of the Transportation Network Improvement plan, a citywide effort to institute a variety of road repairs, revitalizations and improvements to accommodate all modes of transportation throughout the streets of Newton.

They were included in a set of proposed improvements specifically for Elliot Street that aimed to address unsafe road conditions created by the sharp curve at the intersection.

Since the lanes were constructed earlier this year residents have had mixed feelings.

“It almost feels like we basically built this project out, blew up the scope for something that wasn’t necessarily needed, and as a result, made the street a whole lot more dangerous.” said Mark Lai, a resident.

Lai lives in the area and is aware of the safety issues created by the sharp curve on Elliot St. He told The Newton Beacon that he is in favor of the project in general but that the raised bike lanes actually make the intersection unsafe.

Lai pointed out that the raised lanes reduce the width of an already narrow street with a sharp curve. He said a distracted or elderly driver runs the risk of causing an accident as the curve comes up fast.

To raise awareness around these safety concerns and to urge leaders to rethink their decision, Lai put together a petition on Change.org, which as of the time of the article has over 200 signatures.

Lai made it clear that he bikes himself and is a supporter of bike lanes across the city.

“I think we should have painted bike lanes all over the place. I think that’s great, but for the amount of investment and everything else into all these raised bike lanes that aren’t being used, it just doesn’t make sense. And in the case of Elliot Street, we’ve now created a very dangerous part of the road.”

Cautious Optimism

Ed Olhava, president of Bike Newton, a nonprofit that advocates for bicycling as a citywide mode of transportation, said that in theory a raised bike lane would increase safety for cyclists. He said the road was actually narrowed to reduce the speed of cars coming around the curve.

“So I think allowing cyclists to get off the street as opposed to being in the traffic itself, will make it safer for cyclists.”

Olhava emphasized that only time can tell if this traffic calming measure will make this road section safer. 

Adam Peller, another resident, also highlighted the importance of waiting before passing judgement on the efficacy of the project.

Peller said that residents are often quick to judge the effectiveness of Newton’s municipal projects before they are complete. He thinks a more effective assessment of the bike lanes can be made once all the traffic calming measures are constructed.

Other improvements to the section of Elliot and Mechanic streets include a flashing pedestrian crossing sign and a realignment of the intersection itself. More pedestrian signs and curb bump outs will be added where Elliot intersects Cottage and Wetherall streets.

The city awarded AD Paolini LLC, a Newton-based contractor, the bid contract for the project worth $484,873.75