2020 was not the year anyone expected, but it did demonstrate the critical importance of the work LivableStreets continues to advance. More than ever we needed efficient transit, we needed open spaces - and safe ways to walk and bike to those open spaces - and we needed to confront the deep racial and economic disparities that have always existed, but were amplified by the pandemic.

At LivableStreets we chose to confront the crisis head on.

We pivoted our work in response to COVID-19, continued to advocate for the safety and prioritization of essential workers, coordinated several coalitions locally and nationally, and released a suite of resources for individuals and municipal and agency partners. We also hosted a ​4-part virtual StreetTalk series​ that was viewed by hundreds of people across the country.

We released three reports:

• Not on a Shelf: Reporting on the City of Boston's Progress on Go Boston 2030
• What Counts in Mobility: Improving Planning Tools for a Multi-Modal Future
• Tight Spot: Determining when buses + bikes should share spaces and how to make it work

2020 has seen big strides for Better Buses, with 14 new miles bus lanes being implemented throughout Metro Boston, including 3 projects in Somerville that LivableStreets Street Ambassadors supported.

We released a series of Emerald Network maps that provide important information about access to resources, and other benefits, that greenways provide.

We welcomed Great Neighborhoods and the Planners of Color programs into LivableStreets in July, and since then we've built a new coalition of housing advocates from across the state to organize and set priorities for the new year!

We made substantial progress on several key projects with Vision Zero implications, including protected bike lanes on Cummins Highway and American Legion Highway, the completion of the bike network around the Common and Public Garden, and several other long overdue bike network projects in the Downtown and South End.

And we’re proud of the recognition we’ve received for our work. We kicked off the year with national coverage in the ​Wall Street Journal​ and the ​New York Times​. This is in addition to nearly 90 other press hits this year on a wide variety of topics through print, radio, and television outlets.

As we look toward 2021, we intend to keep up the momentum we’ve built. While we’re proud of our accomplishments, Metro Boston has a long recovery ahead- and transforming our streets, transportation and housing policies will be central to a more equitable and successful recovery.

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