Boston-area voters support changes to local streets, even if it means less space for cars
Majorities also support MBTA fare discounts for low-income riders.
A new poll finds that Boston-area voters are largely supportive of continuing COVID-era changes to local streets that expanded space for biking, walking, and outdoor dining. Majorities say they want to see those sorts of changes on streets in their community, even if it means less space for cars.
Most popular was setting aside more space for outdoor seating (83% support) and dining (79%), which many cities and towns did to help local businesses and encourage outdoor recreation during the pandemic. Close behind were two policies aimed at bicycling: creating bike lanes separated from cars (75%) and adding more parking for bikes (72%).
“We know street space is a premium in Greater Boston, and so we prefaced these questions by telling voters these changes would mean less space for cars,” said Richard Parr, Research Director at The MassINC Polling Group, which conducted the poll. “It’s clear voters are looking for ways to put street spaces to a wider set of uses.”
Changing how streets are configured could also change how people get around. Giving bikes more space on the streets could help increase bike riding above the 19% of voters who reported riding regularly pre-COVID. Just under half (46%) of voters said they would definitely (25%) or probably (21%) ride more if there were separated bike lanes in their neighborhood; 38% said the same for more bike parking at key destinations.
Voters also support big changes related to the MBTA, with 84% in favor of discounted fares for lower-income residents. Two-thirds would go even further, making MBTA buses (67%) and even the entire MBTA (65%) free to ride.
The poll was conducted the week before Memorial Day weekend, when the state lifted most COVID restrictions. As the state reopens in earnest, voters expect the region’s notorious traffic to return; 42% of voters think traffic will be about the same as before the pandemic, while 32% think it will be worse. Only 21% think traffic will be better. Reducing traffic congestion was virtually tied with improving public transit as the top two transportation priorities for the region coming out of the pandemic.
“It makes sense that transit and traffic are running neck and neck, because polls have long shown that voters around Boston understand they are connected,” said Parr. “Even if they don’t ride the T, drivers understand that it helps their commute by taking other cars off the road. And most T riders drive regularly, so they also understand the scope of the traffic problem.”
One reason voters may foresee a return to gridlock is linked to their own behavior: 27% say they will drive more coming out of COVID, more than twice as many as say they will drive less. Voters also say they plan to walk more (39%) going forward, but around a third say they will ride various MBTA services less.
Other findings from the poll:
Ownership of cars and bikes held steady through the pandemic, with no evidence of a surge in purchases of either.
The top barrier to more bicycling was straightforward: 34% of voters say they don’t own a bike. Distance (29%), weather (27%), and a lack of bike lanes or paths (24%) were also obstacles.
Distance (40%) and weather (30%) were also barriers to walking, although 21% cited no barriers to walking.
Over two-thirds (68%) of voters in the workforce have worked from home at least a few days a week during the pandemic, and nearly as many (60%) would prefer to continue to do so. But work from home varies widely by income and education, and 17% say it is not an option for their work.
About the Poll: These results are based on a survey of 670 registered voters living in the Boston area. For the purposes of this poll, the Boston area was defined as communities within or bordering Route 128. The poll included 418 voters in the City of Boston, and 252 voters in the surrounding area. Results were weighted in Boston and the surrounding area by age, gender, race, party, education, and geography. Data from the inside and outside of Boston was then combined, and the full sample file was weighted to the proper proportion of voters in each area. Interviews were conducted May 21-28, 2021, both online and by live telephone interviews. The poll was sponsored by The Barr Foundation.