You can also access these FAQs at the Somerville 311 website.

Question: How can I register my bike with the Somerville Police?

Answer: Register your bike by completing the form.

Question: How can I report an abandoned bike?

Answer: If you see a locked bicycle on public property that appears to be abandoned – showing no evidence of use over a long period of time and in dysfunctional condition – report it to the Department of Public Works (DPW) via 311 or via the 311 website.

Question: How do I report traffic-related problems such as vehicle doors suddenly opened into my path, double parking, parking in the bike lane, and vehicles parked over one foot from the curb?

Answer: If you would like to report a time-sensitive violation that endangers bicyclist safety call the Somerville Police Department at 617-625-1600. For a recurring problem, call 311 to reach the Traffic & Parking Department. It is helpful if you can identify the exact location(s) using nearby street addresses or an intersection, as well as provide a description of the offending vehicle. If you are “doored” (a driver opens a vehicle door into your path and causes you to crash), call the Somerville Police to report the incident and keep the driver on site until police arrive. Unsafely opening a vehicle door into the path of an oncoming bicycle is a state violation punishable by a fine of up to $100.

Question: How do I report a dangerous car or MBTA bus driver, or harassment by a motorist?

Answer: To report a driver who drove so as to endanger you, whether through extreme carelessness or malevolence, send a letter describing the incident with the license plate number to the Registry of Motor Vehicles “Office of Driver Control, PO Box 199150, Boston, MA 02119-9150”. To report an MBTA bus driver, find the correct email address and phone number (based on bus route) from the MBTA's “Write to the Top” feature at www.mbta.com. Provide the date and time of the incident, location, four-digit bus number if available, and a description of what happened.

Question: How do I report street defects such as potholes, drain gratings that are raised or have slots parallel to traffic, or loose/damaged public bike parking?

Answer: Street defects impact bicyclists more than motorists and should be reported. To report a street or sidewalk defect or a public bike rack/ring that requires repair, call the Department of Public Works via 311. You may also place a pothole repair or street and intersection concern request via the 311 website.

Question: How should I lock my bike?

Answer:

• Lock your frame and front wheel to a bike rack, bike ring, or signpost. If possible also lock your seat post and anything else easily removed.
• Select a tempered steel U-lock for higher security and long term parking. Cable locks are lower security. For maximum security use two different types of locks together.
• Remember: under no circumstances may a bicycle obstruct the pedestrian path of travel or handicapped access ramps.

Question: Can I take my bike on the MBTA?

Except for rush hour and except for the light-rail and Silver Line services, generally yes.  See the MBTA bikes website for current rules.

Question: How can I request that bike racks be installed in a particular area?

Answer: Use the 311 online bike rack request service under Constituent Services or make the request by telephone at 311. Specify the address and/or establishment at which you are requesting the bike rack. Note that the City can only install bike racks on public property. For bike rack requests on private property, please contact the owner of the property.

Question: What are the city zoning requirements for providing bicycle parking?

Answer: According to Section 9.15 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance, bicycle parking is required in most new projects and renovations for commercial and multi-unit residential buildings. Zoning specifies how many racks are required, what design they must have, and how they must be placed. Required bicycle parking levels are higher in Transit-Oriented Districts (TOD) and Corridor Commercial Districts (CCD) than in other parts of the city.

Question: What are the laws for wearing helmets?

Answer: Massachusetts law requires any person 16 years old or younger riding a bicycle to wear a helmet. Helmets are recommended for all bicyclists however, as wearing a bicycle helmet is the single most effective way to protect against head injury in an accident.

Question: Am I allowed to bicycle on the sidewalk?

Answer: Bicyclists are permitted to travel on sidewalks except in the seven Business Districts: Davis Square, Porter Square, Union Square, Inman Square, Teele Square, Ball Square, and Magoun Square. Residential sidewalks are okay to ride on at a slow pace. However, on-street riding is generally recommended, as most urban streets are safer for bicycling than are sidewalks, which involve conflicts with pedestrians, signposts, blind driveways, benches, etc.

Question: What are the traffic laws and regulations governing bicycling in Somerville?

Answer: Bicyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists when traveling on public roads in Somerville and throughout Massachusetts. There are a few differences: bicycling on sidewalks, using lights at night, and wearing helmets (see below). Bicyclists have the right to travel on all public ways except limited access highways such as I-93.

Massachusetts laws pertaining to cyclists are included in the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as amended by the Bicyclist Safety Act of 2007, signed into law on January 15, 2009:

Chapter 85, Section 11a
Chapter 85, Section 11b
Chapter 85, Section 11c
Chapter 85, Section 11d
Chapter 90e, Section 1
Chapter 90e, Section 2
Chapter 90e, Section 2A
Chapter 90, Section 2A
Chapter 90, Section 3

Within Somerville, state and local cyclists’ rights allow:

• Riding on any public road, street, or bikeway in the Commonwealth, except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bikes have been posted.
• Riding on sidewalks outside the seven Business Districts: Davis Square, Porter Square, Union Square, Inman Square, Teele Square, Ball Square, and Magoun Square.
• Using either hand to signal stops and turns, or not signaling if  you need both hands on the handlebars.
• Riding two abreast (side-by-side) on any road, though you must help faster vehicles overtake you by staying in single file when cars need to get by. On multi-lane roads, you can ride two abreast but your entire cyclist group must stay in one lane.
• Passing motor vehicles on the right.
• Riding outside marked bike lanes when preparing for turns or as otherwise necessary.
• Children or other passengers inside an enclosed trailer or other device that will adequately restrain them and protect their heads in a crash need not wear helmets.
• A bicycle race may be held on any public road or street in the Commonwealth, if done in cooperation with a recognized bicycle organization and with approval from the Police Department before the race is held.
• Special bike regulations may be established for races by agreement between a bicycle organization and the police.
• As many lights and reflectors are allowed on your bike as you wish. 

As a cyclist within the State of Massachusetts, your responsibilities include:

• Obeying all traffic laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.
• Using hand signals to let people know you plan to stop or turn, unless you need both hands on the handlebars, such as when operating the brakes, shifters, or steering.
• Allowing pedestrians the right of way.
• Giving pedestrians an audible signal before overtaking or passing them.
• Allowing faster vehicles traveling in the same lane to pass, unless it is not possible for the vehicle to overtake you “at a safe distance” in the same lane; in this case the overtaking vehicle shall use all or part of an adjacent lane if it is safe to do so or wait for a safe opportunity to overtake.
• Riding astride a regular, permanent seat that is attached to your bicycle.
• Keeping at least one hand on your handlebars at all times.
• Wearing a helmet that meets ANSI requirements on any bike, anywhere, at all times if you are 16 years old or younger. The helmet must fit your head and the chin strap must be fastened.
• Wearing reflectors on both ankles if there are no reflectors on your pedals.
• Notifying the police of any accident involving personal injury or property damage over $100.

As a cyclist within the State of Massachusetts, you are NOT allowed to:

• Carry a passenger anywhere on your bike except on a regular seat permanently attached to the bike, or to a trailer towed by the bike.
• Carry any child between the ages of 1 to 4, or weighing 40 pounds or less, anywhere on a single-passenger bike except in a baby seat attached to the bike. The child must be able to sit upright in the seat and must be held in the seat by a harness or seatbelt. Their hands and feet must be out of reach of the wheel spokes.
• Carry any child under the age of 1 on your bike, even in a baby seat; this does not preclude carrying them in a trailer.
• Use a siren or whistle on your bike to warn pedestrians.
• Modify a bike so that your hands are higher than your shoulders when gripping the handlebars.

As a cyclist within the State of Massachusetts, your bicycle must be equipped in the following manner:

• A permanent, regular seat must be attached.
• Brakes must be effective enough to bring you to a stop, from a speed of 15 miles an hour, within 30 feet of braking. This distance assumes a dry, clean, hard, level surface.
• At night, your headlight must emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. A generator-powered lamp that shines only when the bike is moving is acceptable.
• At night, your taillight must be red and must be visible from a distance of at least 600 feet.
• At night, your reflectors must be visible in the low beams of a car's headlights from a distance of at least 600 feet. Reflectors and reflective material on your bike must be visible from the back and sides.

Penalties:

• Violations of any of these laws can be punished by a fine of up to $20. Parents and guardians are responsible for cyclists under the age of 18. The bicycle of anyone under 18 who violates the law can be impounded by the police for up to 15 days.