Cambridge Forum Discusses New Regulations For Cyclists

The Cambridge Transportation Forum discussed the implementation of a system of bike routes and regulations in the Cambridge area at its City Hall meeting last night.

John Hixson, a forum administrator, said yesterday he envisions the main purpose of the program as one of offering alternative routes to cyclists who are unfamiliar with the current traffic layout.

Citing students as one group which might particularly benefit from such a program, Hickson said one specific goal would be to reroute bicyclists from Massachusetts Ave. to the alternative routes of Green and Franklin Sts.

"This could be a program that would increase year by year according to demand," he added.

Catherine Buckley, a member of the Central Transportation Planning Staff, said she is currently lobbying for Department of Public Works funds which could be used to expand the facilities available to bicyclists.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, which has jurisdiction over Cambridge and 100 surrounding principalities, is considering the possibility of posting bike route signs, distributing route maps, and installing bike racks in some of the nearby commercial districts pending the allocation of additional funds from the department, Buckley said.

She said the main goal of her organization was increasing the visibility of bicycling, as well as making bicyclists and motorists more aware of their responsibilities on the road.

The forum is also examining proposals to lessen the congestion in Harvard Square by relocating crosswalks and redirecting the traffic flow at a number of congested areas within the Square.