To: Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Transportation Board

Re: Proposal for Redesign of Chestnut Hill Avenue

Date: March 4, 2025

I am a lifelong resident of Brookline and have lived with my family on Chestnut Hill Avenue for over 36 years. I want to start by saying that my family, kids, and grandkids are bikers. We appreciate the benefits of recreational and commuter biking. However, I have serious concerns about the proposed bike lane changes on Chestnut Hill Ave.

The removal of street parking will create major challenges for residents who rely on it for family visits, home health aides, contractors, and delivery drivers. Many driveways in the area are tandem-style, meaning street parking is essential. Additionally, on-street parking is necessary for landscaping contractors, Amazon deliveries, USPS trucks that park along the street daily for home deliveries, and ongoing home renovation activities. Eliminating these spaces will create significant disruptions for residents and service providers alike.

This change will also significantly impact emergency vehicle access and traffic flow. Chestnut Hill Ave is a major pass-through for ambulances, fire trucks, and police. During emergencies, cars need to move aside—where will they go if flex posts are blocking the way? Traffic is already backed up at peak times, particularly between 7–10 AM and 2–7 PM, and narrowing the roadway will only make congestion worse. Just last week, a disabled vehicle was stuck for nearly an hour—without space to pull aside, what would happen in such a case?

It is important to note that, to my knowledge, in the 36 years I have lived here, there has never been a bicycle-vehicle collision of any type along this stretch of Chestnut Hill Ave. Bicycles have been able to utilize the existing bike lanes alongside vehicular traffic without compromising on-street parking or the natural flow of traffic. Given this history, it is unclear why such drastic changes are being proposed when the current system has functioned safely for decades.

Beyond that, the reality is that there are very few bikers using Chestnut Hill Ave. I spend a lot of time outside my house and walking along the street, and bike traffic is minimal, even with existing accommodations. The town should consider whether bike lanes on Eliot Street, leading to the Heath School, would be a more effective investment. This plan will also negatively impact daily life in many ways. Warren Field is a hub for baseball games in the spring and summer—where will visitors park? Businesses in Coolidge Corner have already struggled with loading issues due to bike lane changes, and we will face similar problems here. Snow removal is another major concern—will bike lanes be cleared, or will the snow pile up in front of residents' driveways? As someone who depends on rideshares for work and medical appointments, stepping into traffic to access a vehicle will be dangerous and will further slow down cars on the road.

The recent flex-post trial in South Brookline along Lee Street last year serves as a clear example of the unintended consequences of such changes. That trial made it very difficult for residents to park in front of their homes and for visitors of any type to find parking. If a similar plan is implemented on Chestnut Hill Ave, we can expect the same challenges, forcing residents and visitors to find inconvenient and potentially unsafe alternatives. Elderly or disabled visitors will not be able, in many circumstances to find close parking to residents on the Avenue they wish to visit. This creates an equity issue as these individuals cannot reasonably reach their destinations (the street currently allows 2-hour street parking and front-of-house access).

I am deeply disappointed that the town spent public money on a consultant who failed to understand the reality of this neighborhood. Residents were not adequately consulted, and our daily experiences have not been considered. I urge the Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Transportation Board to spend time (different days of the week and different times of day) observing this street—sit on my porch, watch the traffic, see the minimal bike use, and experience the activity on the avenue.

I fully support pedestrian safety and thoughtful traffic calming measures. However, this plan does not achieve those goals. I invite members of the Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Transportation Board to reconsider this proposed Chestnut Hill Avenue project and work collaboratively with the many residents along our street to find a balanced solution that meets the needs of everyone.

Thank you.

Brenda Hefter

653 Chestnut Hill Ave

Precinct 14