Have Some Gripes About Biking In Boston? Take This Survey

Bike Photo Uploaded by Rusty Clark on Flickr

Sure, there’s often some in-fighting between cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers—and it will likely always be that way— but it’s important for the people that try to plan out the future of the city’s bike infrastructure to pinpoint the problems that pit drivers and cyclists against one another, so people can better share the roadways.

To do that, Boston officials put together a survey calling for more rider input.

“This survey is for everyone who rides in Boston, from those who have just started riding to experienced veterans. We are eager to learn from you about how we can make Boston a safer, more inviting bike city,” the introduction to the brief survey says. “Your responses will help us prioritize our programs, understand cyclists’ experiences, and track trends over time.”

The 15-minute questionnaire, developed by Boston Bikes, and sent out by Nicole Freedman, the director of bike programs, is confidential, so riders are encouraged to be as honest as possible when answering questions about how safe they feel on city streets, and what changes—ranging from driver education to more bike lanes and paths—are most needed in Boston.

The survey also asks how riders utilize their bikes, how many trips they make, and for what reasons. It also taps into whether cyclists are wearing helmets when they cruise the city streets.

More importantly, though, it gets down to the nitty-gritty and tackles some of the biggest complaints cyclists have against drivers occupying the roads. The survey asks participants how often they encounter pedestrians cutting in front of them, get doored, or get yelled at by a motorist.

But cyclists aren’t off the hook. There are also questions that put a lens on the public safety rules some bike riders are guilty of ignoring, like running red lights, and riding on sidewalks in a business district. At the end of the survey, there is also an open-ended section where additional gripes can be lodged with officials, and recommendations about bike improvements can be made.

Participants that want to take the discussion one step further can even choose to offer up their personal contact information, so that the city’s bike staff can reach out to them for a more in-depth conversation.

Responses to the survey need to be in by Monday, January 27.