To the Editor:

In an article published on Aug. 24, the Dorchester Reporter profiles the efforts of two anti-bus lane crusaders in the Uphams Corner area: “Petitioners seek to blunt idea of a Columbia Rd. bus lane.” Glynn and Papadopoulos would have the city take certain types of transit improvements off the table, before even considering their benefits and drawbacks. 

In spite of the fact that about half of the city’s residents don’t have access to a private car to get around, all of Columbia Road’s six lanes (when including parking lanes) are dedicated to private motor vehicles. We are heartened that the design team spends time walking the area and talking to residents, local business owners and workers, and transit users to ensure that all voices are heard as decisions are made.

There is plenty of room for improvement on Columbia Road.

Even with parking lanes dedicated to their exclusive use, motorists routinely stop in Columbia’s bike lanes (installed about a decade ago between Blue Hill Ave and Mass. Ave). This endangers cyclists already navigating risks from both sides in lanes that (1) place them fully within the car door opening zone and (2) offer no buffer from the cars and trucks zooming just feet away – at speeds that regularly exceed 40 mph.

In spite of its 80- to 100-foot-wide roadway fully dedicated to private motor vehicles, traffic on Columbia Road is either at a standstill or moving at very unsafe speeds, with little in between.  

If we collaborate and innovate, there are better ways for Columbia Road to operate. Faster and more frequent buses will reduce the need for single occupancy motor vehicle trips.  The bus lane priority model already exists in a few parts of the city and Dorchester shouldn’t be left out when it comes to innovations that improve the lives of residents who depend on transit on a daily basis. 

If our goal as a city is to improve accessibility, equity, reduce pollution and carbon emissions, and promote better health by cleaning up our air and encouraging physical activity, Columbia Road must be redesigned to accommodate these priorities. We hope that our local elected officials and neighbors will participate in a process that continues to include all residents and users and support a Columbia Road redesign that can better serve all of us.

Ann M. Walsh and Vivian Girard
Dorchester