The Manager's report back on bicycle signage on Brattle Street

The two-way separated bicycle lane on Brattle Street was installed in the fall of 2017; it was configured as such due to demand from bicyclists wishing to access Harvard Square and points east from west of the Square. Traffic counts conducted in 2017 showed that more cyclists traveled in the eastbound direction (against the flow of traffic) than in the westbound direction. Given the layout of the roadway network, the Brattle Street corridor is the safest route for cyclists traveling east into the Square. The addition of the two-way separated bike lane provided a safe and legal path for bicyclists traveling in both directions while maintaining access for all other users of the road.

We have heard concerns from users of the road and members of the public that people walking and driving cars may not expect cyclists to be traveling in the eastbound direction, as the road is configured as one-way in the westbound direction for vehicle traffic. As part of the design process, markings were provided at each intersection that included bicycle symbols and arrows in each direction to remind users turning to and from Brattle Street that bicycles enter in the intersection in both directions. The markings are shown below in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Brattle Street at Church Street Two-Way Bicycle Markings

In order to supplement the existing two-way bicycle markings, we have installed warning signs (example shown below in Figure 2) at each intersection where drivers enter Brattle Street and at crosswalks. In the future, this will become a standard element of any two-way bicycle facilities installed on City streets.

Figure 2 - Two-Way Bicycle Warning Sign