Car Free Storrow Drive on Sunday Mornings
A Proposal by the Charles River Conservancy
December 2006

In an unprecedented move, the DCR closed Storrow Drive for the Hub on Wheels City Wide Ride on Sunday, October 1, 2006. This event allowed several thousand bicyclists to enjoy an automobile-free Storrow Drive. Despite some initial trepidation, the event was a great success. Drivers observed restrictions since alternative routes were available, and therefore traffic was not impaired. The Charles River Conservancy (CRC) praises the DCR for this breakthrough experience permitting bicyclists to use the parkway. In response to this successful event, the CRC advocates to make this a permanent Sunday morning opportunity!

For over 25 years, the DCR has successfully closed Memorial Drive from the Eliot Bridge to the Western Avenue Bridge on Sundays between 11 am and 7 pm. This has allowed bikers, in-line skaters, joggers, and walkers a safe experience along the Cambridge shore where they are able to enjoy the beauty of the parklands and river unhindered by automobile danger. The individual stretches on Memorial Drive however, are relatively short between the bridges and crossroads and do not provide for those interested in more sustained exercise. Our proposal will offer an extended outdoor experience along the Charles River enabling bicyclists and in-line skaters to enjoy several miles of continuous riding and allow for vigorous exercise on the parkways. Closing the 4.5-mile stretch of Storrow Drive and Soldiers Field Road from the Longfellow Bridge to the Eliot Bridge will also attract larger numbers of community members to the area on a weekend so that they may experience the excitement of the parkways.

As an advocacy organization, we are always working to make the parklands more accessible and active and are now exploring whether legislation will be necessary to implement the Storrow Drive Sunday closing. Based on our proposal, we have determined seven points of access to Storrow Drive Sunday that will need to be blocked. Additionally, coordinating the Storrow Drive Sunday closing with the existing Memorial Drive closing will ensure that automobiles will have the ability to travel along the Charles River throughout the day. The CRC is proposing that the westbound water side of Storrow Drive be closed to automobile traffic on Sunday mornings from 7:30 am to 10.30 am through the spring, summer, and fall months. Traffic is usually relatively light during this early morning and closing Storrow Drive should not inconvenience too many drivers.

The Sunday experience might also encourage bicyclists to consider cycling to work as a regular commuting experience during the week and thus promote a healthier environment through less dependence on fossil fuels and gas.

The Storrow Drive Sunday closing would also provide public health benefits, as it will offer bicyclists extended exercise opportunities. We at the CRC are committed to increasing active recreation in the parklands as we are aware that about one in three school children as well as adults are overweight. The Storrow Drive closing would not interfere with in-bound traffic or access to the I-93 tunnels. Additionally, every cross street in this section goes over Storrow Drive on an overpass thus eliminating any negative impact for cross-river traffic. Furthermore, ending the closing at the Eliot Bridge will still allow easy access to people wishing to drive to Herter Park and its large public parking area.

Careful planning and public notification should prevent any disruption of traffic or interference with access to and from abutting neighborhoods or institutions. All of these factors would result in making Storrow Drive Sunday Closing an enormous benefit to many citizens of Greater Boston.

Please give us your feedback
Thank you
Renata von Tscharner
rvt@charlesriverconservancy.org
617-619-2851