Narrow streets and widen sidewalks on retail corridors
The resident asks to narrow streets and widen sidewalks on main retail corridors to slow cars, increase foot traffic, allow outdoor dining, and price curb space by demand.
English title and summary written with AI from the resident's text.
The resident's idea, as submitted
The idea
Narrow streets and widen sidewalks on main retail corridors to promote more pedestrian activity, slower car traffic and more space for retailers and restaurants to build outdoor dining areas. Price the curb in these locations based on demand.
Who it helps and why
This idea promotes social equity by prioritizing people over cars. over 30% of bostonians don't own cars yet we give up much more space to cars than pedestrians. Cities are for people so lets show everyone who we are prioritizing.
Details
- Cycle
- 2026–27
- Submitted
- July 31, 2026
- Neighborhood
- City-wide
- Portal category
- Streets & Sidewalks
- How it was submitted
- Individual submission
- Submission language
- English
Themes grouped with AI from resident idea text.
The same need in other cycles
City-wide ideas in Pedestrian & bike safety from the other cycles, up to 3 from each.
2025–26 (23 matching)
- Review traffic light timing and use side-street sensorsResident asks the city to review signal timing and consider sensors on side-street lights to keep main roads moving and reduce idling and air pollution.2025–26City-wide
- Enforcement against texting drivers and crosswalk violationsResident asks for more resources for street safety, such as tracking technology and substantial fines for drivers who text or fail to stop at crosswalks, to protect seniors and children.2025–26City-wide
- Hire more parking enforcement officersResident asks the city to hire more Boston Transportation Department parking enforcement officers because drivers ignore limits, making use of scarce street parking less equitable.2025–26City-wide
2024–25 (37 matching)
- Expand bike lanes to underserved neighborhoodsResident asks for bike lanes connecting lower-income communities and communities of color to existing networks in Downtown and Back Bay, offering a cheaper commute and more foot traffic.2024–25City-wide
- Make Boston more bike friendlyResident asks for a more bike-friendly Boston with fewer cars, noting biking can be faster than the train for their commute.2024–25City-wide
- App to report drivers endangering pedestriansResident proposes a BOS311-style app for submitting photos and videos of drivers endangering pedestrians so police can fine or charge them, citing unsafe crossings and road rage.2024–25City-wide