Thank goodness Waltham fire chief Randy Mullin and treasurer Tom Magno support 35mph Main "Streets", where drivers routinely go 45+, so the driver of MA G7620 can express her displeasure at having to turn her steering wheel 5° to the left to maneuver around a non-car road user
Sidewalks that just end; adjacent streets with center lines encouraging drivers to go faster, rushing to the light at route 9. A neighborhood designed to only be able to navigated by motor vehicle. These aren't "accidents".
Gravel Influencer@gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 6d agoI'm just so tired, sad, and angry
Red light cameras, when, in Massachusetts? Six drivers blowing through the red (the light changed to red over a second before the green bike signal comes on)
It's very simple: If drivers can fit their cars in a space they will drive there. It's actually really easy to prevent this sort of thing!
The Boston LOL 💜 🚲 ⚡@thebostonlol.bsky.social · last wk.AAAAAGGGHURG. @wutrain.bsky.social @mohammedmissouri.bsky.social @streets.boston.gov WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THE BIKE LANES PROTECTED!?!?!?! Video by @saulblum.bsky.social www.facebook.com/share/v/198e...
OP here. If I hadn't gotten his attention, he would have plowed into all these people easily at 20mph, with his probable slow reaction time. But when I filled out the police report form, the desk cop said they'll likely do nothing because he didn't hit anyone.
Tim Pierce@unchi.org · last wk.Not that this is the point, but it's fascinating to me that a guy driving around a boat-size vintage car like that in Boston can't even navigate it around a turn without almost taking out multiple pedestrians and a stop sign
The problem, as usual, is cars. The river path is at times so narrow that two bikes can barely pass, next to ten lanes of highway traffic.
NBC10 Boston@nbcboston.com · 2w agoCrowded walking and biking paths have become a source of frustration in some Massachusetts communities, with complaints about fast-moving bikes, e-bikes and scooters. Now, the state is trying a new approach to encourage safer speeds. on.nbcboston.com/k6HQZlf
Your brain on car fumes. This location is a mile from Boston, and these residents (unless they're bots) can't grasp the concept of a child moving around their city unless strapped into a three-ton SUV.
Saul Blumenthal@saulblum.bsky.social · 2mo agoHere's a local realtor, violating hands-free law taking pics when driving, criticizing a woman carrying her kids on a cargo bike through this same intersection, because "traffic was backed up unfortunately two cars were blocking the crosswalk", which is a moving violation. Car-brain is a disease.
Here's a local realtor, violating hands-free law taking pics when driving, criticizing a woman carrying her kids on a cargo bike through this same intersection, because "traffic was backed up unfortunately two cars were blocking the crosswalk", which is a moving violation. Car-brain is a disease.
Saul Blumenthal@saulblum.bsky.social · 2mo agoWalkability is more than the presence of sidewalks. Watertown Sq has a 93 Walk Score, is the terminal of several high-frequency bus routes, and is a mile from the Boston line and five miles from downtown Boston. But with the Mass Pike a half-mile away it's a miserable car sewer of an urban space.
Walkability is more than the presence of sidewalks. Watertown Sq has a 93 Walk Score, is the terminal of several high-frequency bus routes, and is a mile from the Boston line and five miles from downtown Boston. But with the Mass Pike a half-mile away it's a miserable car sewer of an urban space.
A piece I wrote on why Waltham's streets are so hostile to all users walthamtimes.org/2026/06/01/w...
Waltham Needs a Transportation Planner – Waltham Times
Residents recently offered their views on the proposed development at the Watch Factory. Safety on Crescent Street for pedestrians and drivers was a
walthamtimes.org
Tell me more about that cyclist you saw roll through a stop sign at 5mph, driver of MA 446ZV4
This could be so many streets in Waltham, if we get rid of a traffic commission w/ members like the treasurer who values car level of service above all, and a fire chief who insists any measure that slows his trucks will kill multitudes, and a traffic engineer who can be replaced by an MUTCD chatbot
Aaron Greiner@aarongreiner.bsky.social · 3mo agoTook a detour on my run today, it’s amazing. So green, safe, and pleasant. There were kids playing in the street and a little block party going on! This should be the new standard for all low traffic residential streets. Well done @cambridgemass.bsky.social.
Same thread, another social media commenter using their real name to advocate for killing cyclists. Daniel Donahue Jr. Wethersfield I like to give cyclists a false sense of security by keeping at least a 4’ distance. It makes it easier for the passenger to hit them with the door. Surprise!!!
Saul Blumenthal@saulblum.bsky.social · 3mo agoA reminder that there are people who have zero qualms about using their real name on social media to call for killing cyclists nextdoor.com/p/by_nttBmf8KQ Margaret Pacious: «I would have.rammed the back of his bike& called 911.The biker was in the wrong,not riding in the bike lanes! Hah !»
A reminder that there are people who have zero qualms about using their real name on social media to call for killing cyclists nextdoor.com/p/by_nttBmf8KQ Margaret Pacious: «I would have.rammed the back of his bike& called 911.The biker was in the wrong,not riding in the bike lanes! Hah !»
@mayorwu.boston.gov @wutrain.bsky.social @streets.boston.gov There used to be flexposts turning from Arlington St to the bike lane beside the Public Garden. This is what happens when they're gone. A truck driver drove into the bike lane, and two drivers blindly followed. Please fix this.
Tell me more about that cyclist you saw once who rolled through a stop sign at 5mph. When you're ensconced in a car, and so focused on passing a bike, you don't even notice a father and daughter waiting to cross the street.
How many traffic violations by these highly trained, professional motor vehicle operators can we count in Watertown Square this morning?
Me: "you ran a red light" Driver: "I know; there was traffic" It is way too easy to get and maintain a driver's license. North Beacon St, Watertown
In today's episode of "paint is not protection", two drivers completely oblivious to their vehicles' position, one on his phone
Bike lanes only look empty because they're so efficient at moving people. Seven people on bikes waiting at the light in the space one person in one car would take up. Comm Ave, Boston
Daily double of violations for the driver of MA 7CET43 this morning: parking in a bike lane, and using a phone in a travel lane. But I'm sure they once saw a cyclist roll through a stop sign at 5mph, so I guess we're even.
This is directed to Waltham's traffic engineer & traffic commission, who think RRFBs (flashing yellow lights) are a substitute for safe design. They're not. (This isn't Waltham but a state-maintained road with awful pedestrian & bike connections & is designed to let drivers take turns at speed.)
Ban right on red. This is why ROR is dangerous to those outside cars. Intersection has a NTOR sign that comes on during the pedestrian crossing (& bike crossing, if coming from below-grade train). This driver — on phone of course — camps out in crosswalk & starts to move forward during crossing.
Here's the guy who maintains Waltham's traffic lights, saying at Thursday's traffic commission that he opposes outdoor dining: "parking spaces are more valuable [than dining in those spots]". He lives 25 mi west of here & like most decision-makers here, only sees city from behind their windshield.
Hemry, Local Bartender@bartenderhemry.bsky.social · 5mo agoI mean really the problem is people are just irrational, they want to live on a perfectly quiet street with free parking just for them but have every other street be fast fast fast, also with free parking, and get incandescently angry when this is not possible or desirable
Waltham cyclists: "Can we get the city or state to plow the rail trail and river paths so they're usable in winter?" Waltham Police: "Nah, but here's a $16,000 ATV that will keep you safe from the apparent rampant crime on those paths" www.facebook.com/share/r/1Gnr...
Until we treat bikes as & walking as an ACTUAL form of transportation, we will continue to languish. We cannot flourish as a society with only cars being important. They're expensive, messing with the environment, kill ppl, take up enormous amounts of space...lets do better, plan ahead, be smart.
The Biking Lawyer LLP@thebikinglawyer.bsky.social · 6mo agoWe are being told by the City Manager are plowed, & today I did see Adelaide "clear". But that seems to be the exception. Across TO a week & a half since the snow storm safe infrastructure in not useable. People who want to get around by bike or have to are being put into harms way 1/2
This, in Waltham. Our public works department and traffic commission policies and even the views of many elected officials have long prioritized drivers. It's only much more obvious now, between the lack of sidewalk shoveling rules and the still untouched key walking routes on city property
Gravel Influencer@gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 6mo agoJulia's article wasn't about car dependency, but I do think winter is truly a potentially radicalizing time for many people. The key is to get them to understand how that unplowed sidewalk or icy path to the train station is connected to policies that prioritize cars over everything else.
Imagine if police were empowered to issue $100 fines for violating the hands-free law based on video and photo evidence. Using your phone while stopped at a light at an already-dangerous multi-use path crossing is not permitted.
When MA eventually permits red light cameras, do you think this company whose driver's blocking a crosswalk will just pass along the fine to its customers as a cost of doing business? Arsenal St, Watertown
