Cyclists, Disability Advocates Demand Better Snow Removal in Boston

Bicyclists and disability advocates have gathered at Boston City Hall to criticize the city's recent snow removal efforts following two storms that dumped several feet of snow on the city.

During a hearing before the city council's City Services committee, Boston residents said the city should prioritize snow removal from areas where cyclists and people with disabilities rely on to get around, including sidewalks, crosswalks, and side streets.

The Boston Globe reported on Tuesday, March 3, that approximately 20 people addressed the committee during the three-hour hearing. Besides the issue of snow removal, Boston city councilors discussed forming a snow corps to enlist volunteers to shovel out residents and buying snow melters.

Disability advocates Casandra Xavier and Bill Taupe described the challenges they faced navigating city streets after snowstorms.

Taupe, who is legally blind, remembered living in the South End during the Blizzard of 1978. He and his roommate walked on foot to find an open bakery and buy bread.

Xavier, who was born with blindness and hearing loss, said sidewalks need to be cleared wider so that she can execute a “shoulder-to-shoulder sweep” using her white cane.

“The lack of having things shoveled and the sidewalk access being completely absent, it just made me feel like my disabilities were not ever going to be seen as important or worth anything,” Xavier said. 

Matthias Iris, a member of the Boston Cyclists Union, relies on his bike to get around. He said the city needs to prioritize clearing sidewalks and bike lanes equally to clearing the streets.

“We cannot continue to prioritize cars over people. It is unfair, discriminatory, and endangers our lives,” he said.

Committee Chair Ed Flynn announced during the meeting that another hearing will be held in 30 to 60 days to discuss further proposals for a snow corps and the purchase of snow melters. Those topics were not addressed during the March 3 session.