Advocate
Many of the projects that have made Newton a more livable, walkable, bikeable city have been created and proposed by a variety of Newton citizens. Bike Newton has initiated many projects in Newton to make roads safer and more convenient for cyclists and pedestrians. Others have required your voices to be passed by City Council and to have the Mayor’s support.
Your participation can make a difference.
Click below to learn about some of the many projects that BikeNewton has advocated for with the Mayor and with City Council:
- Washington Street Pilot (Click HERE for Newton Planning Dept’s Projects.)
- Candidate Questionnaire Responses
- Bicycle Friendly Community
- Newton Bike Network Plan
- Needham Street (Needham-Newton Corridor Project: MassDOT’s website; Newton’s website)
- Commonwealth Avenue Carriage Lane
- Newtonville Village Enhancement
These projects have been presented and discussed at community meetings, written about in local newspapers, and presented to City Councilors and other officials, including the Mayor. These projects are now either complete, near completion, or gaining traction, as more people in Newton become familiar with bike lanes, cycle tracks, and Complete Streets, and as City Council members have become more supportive of these projects. The Planning Dept and the Dept of Public Works (DPW) have made huge strides in understanding the wisdom of designing streetscapes for all users, not just for cars.
If you are a BikeNewton member and on our mailing list, you will receive e-mail notifications when your advocacy is called for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact my City Councilors?
How do I know which ward I live in so I can contact my ward councilor?
For answers to these questions, click HERE for our page “LOCAL ADVOCACY“. We encourage you to email your city councilors directly.
Candidate Questionnaires
Candidate questionnaires are an important part of BikeNewton’s activities, come each election time. This includes not just City Council but also the School Committee, where support of Safe Routes to Schools becomes an important factor. Click HERE to see, for example, the responses we received for the November 2025 election.
Petitions
PLEASE click HERE to see our 2022 PETITION to the Mayor and to City Council to improve bicycle safety.
Other Governmental Agencies
Other governmental agencies such as MA Dept of Transportation (DOT), Dept of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), and non-profit advocacy groups such as Transportation For Massachusetts and Biking Brookline and others are now also promoting safety and accessibility for all road users. MassBike is an important advocacy group that BikeNewton regularly collaborates with.
CLICK HERE for our more complete list of local advocacy groups.