Kenmore Square Contraflow Bike Lane

Boston Transportation Department
Boston, Massachusetts

The Bay State Road contraflow bike lane is a critical piece of the bicycle network in the Boston University area of the City of Boston. It offers a low-stress alternative to Commonwealth Avenue and lets bicyclists bypass one of the most high-stress intersections in the City – Kenmore Square. Bay State Road, which is one-way westbound for motor vehicle traffic, was functioning as a two-way bikeway even before the bike lane was installed. HSH’s design, which was completed as part of the Boston Transportation Department’s (BTD’s) Active Transportation program, formalized the contraflow behavior by giving eastbound bicyclists a dedicated space and used green markings at the intersections to increase the bike lane’s visibility and improve safety for all users.