THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2024 Page 7 City, MAPC to Host Community Conversations for Bike, Walk and Roll Plan By Barbara Taormina T he City of Revere and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) this week held the fi rst of four community conversations on Bike, Walk and Roll, a plan to make Revere safer and more friendly toward alternative forms of transportation. “We want to create an environment where it’s safe to walk, bike and roll,” Chief of Planning and Community Development Tom Skwierawski told a fairly small Zoom audience that tuned in to join the conversation. Skwierawski started the conversation with a personal example. He said that on hot afternoons his favorite thing to do is visit Revere Beach. But he added that he hates getting into a brutally hot car, fi ghting traffi c and hunting for a parking space. “There’s no practical, possible or safe way to walk, bike or roll there,” he said. Maura Holland of MAPC explained that her agency was on board to help with the goal of making Revere safer for all travelers, which is part of the city’s master plan. Skwierawski said the main objective is to increase mobility and make Revere streets safer. But he added that the plan would decrease emissions and increase accessibility to spots in the city where people want to go. According to Holland, MAPC is putting together a working group to piece together a plan — making sure they are building a consensus. She then shared a few facts about traveling in Revere. Of the city’s roughly 21,000 households, approximately 20 percent do not own a vehicle. About twothirds of residents drive to work, while others use diff erent options. Over the last four years, there have been 2,500 vehicle crashes in the city, many on Broadway, and that number continues to climb. Holland also mentioned that calls to 311 are dominated by requests for road repairs, such as potholes, and reports of illegally parked cars. “We want to make sure we’re incorporating existing data and community ideas into the plan,” she said. A draft of the Bike, Walk and Roll Plan is expected next spring and a final report in the summer of 2025. Skwierawski said the plan now includes adding several additional Bluebike stations, which provide short-term bike rentals, on the beach and expanding that network. High on the agenda are projects creating safe walking routes to city schools. And an increase in bike lanes. Any proposed changes will go to the Traffi c Commission for approval. One resident asked what the new bike lanes would look like. Skwierawski said it depends on the area. For example, with the need for parking and traffi c, there isn’t much room for a separate, buff ered bike lane on Broadway. But the working group will look at conditions and residents’ needs and develop a solution. Holland said that once it is clear what residents want and need, design engineers will step in and help create whatever road construction is needed to increase safety. Community funding will be critical, she said. Residents said speeding traffi c is among the biggest safety concerns. Holland said the plan involves removing as many cars CONVERSATIONS | SEE Page 20 RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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