Three bicyclists have died in the past five years along Huntington Avenue.
In the wake of Friday's fatal bike wreck on Huntington Avenue, bikers who use the busy, narrow street say it is a dangerous but essential way to get around the city.
"It's hard to ride on Huntington," said Lucy McDermott, a Northeastern student who relies on her bike, "but we do it because we have to."
McDermott also relies on her friends. She bikes with fellow Northeastern students Jessica Feldish and Teresa Bryant whenever possible. By riding in a staggered formation they can take up a whole lane, as is their right as cyclists.
The trio had stopped by a memorial to the woman who died Friday, 28-year-old Boston College graduate student Kelsey Rennebohm. A glass vase held a simple flower arrangement and a card that read: "In loving memory K.R." The vase stood atop a stone wall next to the intersection where Rennebohm was fatally injured.
Police are still investigating what happened, but she may have been struck by the 39 Bus and possibly other vehicles. Route 39 is the most-used bus serving Jamaica Plain. No charges had been filed as of Monday afternoon, according to Boston Police.
In the past five years, at least three bicyclists have died along Huntington Avenue, according to WBZ.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino plans to put a renewed focus on how the stretch can be made safer.
"We have to work out a situation where it’s a much safer roadway to drive and cycle on," Menino told the Boston Herald on Sunday. "It’s congested, there are no cycling markings there and there are a lot of students crossing."
Parts of Huntington Avenue do have "sharrows," or lanes where bicycling symbols are painted to remind drivers to share the road. But those don't begin until you reach Parker Hill headed outbound. Real bike lanes don't start until Huntington Avenue becomes South Huntington going into Jamaica Plain.
City transportation officials did not return Patch's call on Monday.
As for the trio of bike-riding Northeastern students, they plan to keep on riding—and watching out for one another.
"I'm a huge bike advocate," said Feldish. "It's changed my life. You can go anywhere you want."
Hillary
5:27 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
I work in the area and witnessed the aftermath of the first fatal accident at that intersection (on the other side of Huntington) a few years ago. Judging from the pieces of shattered helmet in the road, I can tell you that wearing a helmet doesn't help when you are riding in heavy traffic and have nowhere to get out of the way if you get clipped. I'm not surprised to hear that this latest victim may also have been hit by several vehicles. As a cyclist myself, I would never choose to ride on Huntington - learn alternate routes, even if it takes longer to get from place to place. Statistics will show that it's almost always young cyclists who are seriously injured or killed on Boston streets. You are not invincible. You can and will be hurt if you don't use common sense.
Recently, I've also noticed more and more IDIOTS cycling on the Riverway/Jamaicaway - not on the conveniently adjacent bike path, but on the actual roadway. The most recent one was riding at night, with no lights. Incredible.
I've begun to think there should be a law against cycling on certain roadways where there is no breakdown lane or other way of getting out of the way (places where the curb is too high to jump, like Huntington). Let cyclists ride on the sidewalks if they must travel these roads.
Paul Schimek
2:47 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I agree that cyclists must use lights at night to be safe, and that police should enforce this law (yes, it is a law). However, "common sense" has little to do with bike safety, if common sense means "get out of the way of big mean faster cars at all costs." Kelsey was apparently riding on the sidewalk and fell off the curb (see Boston Cyclists Union report). Riding on the road is safer than riding on city sidewalks, where you have to worry not only about pedestrians and obstacles but turning & entering cars at intersections and driveways. Huntington Ave certainly could be more bike friendly, but it would be better if the 30 mph speed limit were enforced and motorists did not honk and yell at bicyclists using the whole right lane (which is certainly absolutely necessary where there is on street parking). Just pretend the bicyclists are VERY fast moving double-parked cars or stopped buses.
As for the Jamaicaway, it is LEGAL to ride on all DCR parkways, and some of them are among the best roads to cycle on in the area (see West Roxbury Parkway). On the Jamaicaway NO ONE obeys the 25 & 30 mph speed limit signs, which makes it very dangerous--for motorists. However, there are certainly times and places when it's reasonable to bicycle on it, and certainly other parkways give you much more room (e.g. Centre St & VFW Parkway). Motorists should know bicyclists may use ALL roads (except Interstates), and all should obey the traffic laws.
rhea becker
8:56 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I agree that cyclists should have leeway to ride on sidewalks in places like the Jamaicaway where there is no breakdown lane.
Anne McKinnon
9:07 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Huntington Avenue was reconstructed in recent memory and the City--the Menino administration--eliminated parking which has resulted in excessive vehicle speeds. Menino's project--part of the Boulevard Program--also refused to put bike lanes or wide curb lane outside the storm drain zone. Thanks.
Marie Mercurio
12:02 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I am so sad for Kelsey. For the record, on the night of May 23rd, my husband crashed on Huntington coming from his lab (heading towards Ruggles/Southwest Corridor) and broke his elbow in two places. He was admitted to the hospital and had surgery and is slowly on the mend. Is there anywhere I can submit this statistic (in addition to here?). Or, is it worthwhile letting the MBTA know, as it was the rail tie that caught his tire. This is such a problem spot, and very concerning to me as our children are often on the front (or back) of his bike - not in this particular spot. But so much worse could have happened. I am very sorry for those who have perished on Huntington.
Ali A.
4:29 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
http://www.cityofboston.gov/online_services/default.aspx
if you click on 'transportation, streets, and sidewalks' there's a 'bikes' section that lets you report a hazard, request a new lane marking, and request a lane marking repair
Chris Helms
12:26 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Hi Marie, I'm sorry to hear about your husband's wreck. I don't know the answer to your question. Any bikers on the board know? I'll also send an email to someone who might know and report back if I find out.
Jessica Feldish
5:31 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The Boston Cyclists Union keeps a record of crash data and is working with the city to identify difficult areas in the city.
http://bostoncyclistsunion.org/resources/crash-map/
Eli W
5:28 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
I saw the vase, but I did not realize a fellow cyclist had been killed.
I usually "take the lane" when I ride on Huntington. Occasionally a driver will pass too closely when I do this, but in general drivers give me more space.
In my opinion, bike lanes and sharrows are often ineffective at making cyclists safer. Sharrows are hardly ever respected, and should not be necessary since cyclists can always take the lane. Bike lanes are often positioned so that riding in them and entering/exiting them opens a cyclist up to additional hazards such as "right-hooking" and "dooring". Additionally, bike lanes are often used as a double-parking lane (something which rarely earns a ticket), forcing cyclists to venture into speedy all-car traffic, usually without any drivers making space for them to do so.
The real solution is to earn respect for the right of cyclists to participate as part of traffic. This necessitates police crackdown on dangerous cycling-unfriendly motorist behavior. The city needs to educate everyone on the rights *and responsibilities* of cyclists. Most importantly, the city needs to install traffic-calming measures to slow down roads like Huntington. Huntington is terrible. Often people drive far over the speed limit, which is made particularly dangerous by the high amount of pedestrians and bike commuters (both groups mainly made up of students). Slow down the traffic to make it more safe. It is not that hard and will save lives.
Joan Wood
12:32 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
I can't imagine biking in much of Boston - there just isn't enough space, no matter what you do. The area is barely enough to assimilate autos! I really think people should NOT be riding bikes alongside cars in Boston - as a driver, I can say it's quite nerve wracking. I think in the city bikers should be allowed to ride on sidewalks - that seems like the only reasonable solution. Otherwise, those who bike on streets like Huntington are just taking their lives in their hands, and there really is no way around it. Bikes and cars cannot peacefully co-exist in that area, and the cars aren't going away.
Paul Schimek
3:45 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
As a regular bicycle commuter for 25 years (in Los Angeles, New York, and Boston for nearly 20), I can assure you that it is possible to bicycle safely in urban traffic. You do need to know what to do (see http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/). If you think it's nerve wracking, then perhaps either the bicyclist is doing something dangerous and illegal (e.g., running a red light), or perhaps you are (passing too closely). I don't ask for your judgement on my safety. I could go around telling people not to buy tippy SUVs, but they are not asking me either. Just obey the traffic law and don't honk & yell. That means don't follow too closely, pass only at a safe distance, signal and merge all the way right before turning right, yield when turning left or entering the road, etc. In other words, treat bicyclist the same as everyone else. And please, do ask police to enforce the actual traffic laws, even-handedly.