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Help make the iconic brick sidewalks of Massachusetts safe for the whole community.
Safe, accessible sidewalks for all.
Safe, accessible sidewalks for all.
Brick sidewalks are part of what makes Massachusetts feel like home, but when they’re uneven or broken, they become dangerous for seniors, parents, people with disabilities, and everyday pedestrians. We don’t need to lose the charm of brick to fix this problem; we just need to invest in making it safe.
Why Our Sidewalks Are Unsafe:
Why Our Sidewalks Are Unsafe:
Cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, from Springfield to Salem, have brick sidewalks in their downtowns. It's a great part of living in the historic Northeast, but many of the sidewalks have fallen into disrepair.
Access
Narrow, cracked sidewalks prevent people using strollers and other mobility aids from safely walking.
Safety
Wavy sidewalks make pedestrians unstable, and increase the likelihood of slip and falls.
Weather
Steep sidewalk inclines create pedestrian hazards, especially in the snow, ice, and rain of the Northeast.
Everyday Usability
Uneven patchwork and missing bricks create tripping hazards and uneven surfaces.
Community Stories
Community Stories
Across Massachusetts, people are struggling with unsafe brick sidewalks.
Kat, Student
Kat, Student
"When I was on my crutches, I felt trapped in my own home. The sidewalks were too uneven to safely walk on, and I was always worried about re-injuring myself."
Jess, Longtime Cambridge Resident
Jess, Longtime Cambridge Resident
"Sidewalk safety is a big priority for me. Harvard Square is one of my favorite places. The sidewalks become harder and harder to navigate, especially in the snow and ice."
Dr. Lisa Iezzoni, MassDOT Director
Dr. Lisa Iezzoni, MassDOT Director
"I am a wheelchair user, and I feel like I know every sidewalk surface and cross slope danger within about 1/2 mile radius of where I work! Sometimes I debate which route to take from my MGH office to my MassDOT board meetings because of the sidewalk situation. That’s the level of danger that there can be for these imperfections in the surface of the pavement that the average person pays no attention to. But for the person who needs a mobility aid, it can be very dangerous."
Carol, Child Caretaker
Carol, Child Caretaker
"When I take the stroller to preschool, I'm just pushing and pushing. There's holes in the brick, and it's impossible. It's dangerous! I have to go out into the street!"
What Safe Brick Can Look Like
New, machine-cut brick that is ADA-compliant and safe for all pedestrians. Proof that we don't need to get rid of Massachusetts' charming brick, we just need to invest in fixing what we already have!
Why aren't local governments fixing this?
Why aren't local governments fixing this?
Local governments struggle to fix brick sidewalks because:
Repairs cost more than concrete.
Sidewalk improvements compete with roads, sewers, and other big-ticket items.
There is no dedicated state fund for brick sidewalk repair.
There is a solution to these issues: we should provide state infrastructure grants to give local governments the funding they need to repair brick sidewalks. We propose creating a new program that funds brick sidewalk projects, but only sidewalk projects, so cities and towns are incentivized to include this repair alongside their other infrastructure goals.
The solution also includes YOU. Let your state reps know that this is a priority!
We Need Safer Sidewalks
We Need Safer Sidewalks
Questions?
Questions?
Contact codcoalitionforsafersidewalks@gmail.com to get more information on the project
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