Walking, biking & transit in Arlington
See the routes Arlington neighbors actually walk, ride and take transit on, what's happening locally, and how the town is trending — built from real trips logged in the Shift app.
#11 of 27 Massachusetts towns by Shift Rate so far in August: share of active transportation trips (walk, micromobility, transit).
Counts cover August 1 through today, based on trips logged by Shift community members that start or end in Arlington— a growing sample, meant as an interesting local signal, not an official or census-level count. *CO₂ avoided is estimated from active miles traveled (EPA 404 g/mi baseline).
Where Arlington moves
New to Arlington? You're joining a town that moves — neighbors logged 1,316 trips on foot, by bike, and on transit in the last 90 days, and Massachusetts Avenue, Monsignor O'Brien Highway and Somerville Community Path are where you'll find them. A corridor appears only once three or more different people have traveled it — and it follows Arlington residents wherever they go, including into neighboring towns, within about six miles of the town center.
Momentum
Active trips in Arlington by week ending, last 5 completed weeks — and climbing
Friendly competition
Massachusetts towns by Shift Rate so far in August — the share of trips taken actively · Arlington is 25 points behind #1
Every town here has its own page — local stats, popular routes, events, and ways to get involved.
Tap any town to exploreHow Arlington moves
Active trips and miles so far in August, by mode
Share of trips
Share of miles
What is this?
Shift is a free app from Green Streets Initiative, a nonprofit that has celebrated walking, biking, and transit since 2006. Shift automatically counts your walks, rides, and transit trips — every trip adds to Arlington's totals on this page, earns you rewards at local businesses, and enters you into seasonal prize drawings.
Events near Arlington
A few picks over the next 30 days — the full calendar has everything.
Landry's Charlestown Beginner Road Ride
Sundays · next Sun, Aug 23 · Landry's Charlestown · 4.9 mi away
FreeRegistration req’dBeginner-friendlyLandry's Boston Slow Roll Social Ride
Mondays · next Mon, Aug 24 · Landry's Boston · 4.7 mi away
FreeRegistration req’dBeginner-friendlyWeekly Social Bike Ride
Thursdays · next Thu, Aug 27 · Cafe Zing · 2.6 mi away
FreeBeginner-friendlyFamily-friendlyRoams to try
Guided routes — preview the full route here, then check in at each stop in the Shift app to earn the badge.
Alewife Brook to Mystic River Greenway
bike · 6.7 mi · ~41 min · Arlington · Somerville · Medford
Two rivers, two T stations, and 300 years of history between them
The Minuteman
bike · 6.4 mi · ~42 min · Cambridge · Arlington · Bedford
Fresh Pond Loop
walk + transit · 1.5 mi · ~34 min · Cambridge
Get involved in Arlington
Safer streets are made by neighbors who speak up. Start small:
In Arlington
Advocacy groups
- Sustainable Arlington — A resident-led Envision Arlington committee and Mass Climate Action Network chapter working toward the town's climate and sustainable-transportation goals — new volunteers welcome.
Meetings & comment pathways
- Arlington Public Meeting Portal — Browse agendas and upcoming meetings for every town board and commission — the place to catch street and transit projects while there is still time to comment.
Your transportation department
- Transportation Planning — Dept. of Planning & Community Development — The town's planning office leads Connect Arlington, the 20-year sustainable transportation plan, and shapes walking, biking, and transit improvements across town. (cricker@town.arlington.ma.us · 781-316-3092)
Regional & statewide groups6 more — research, campaigns, and coalitions you can join→
Advocacy groups
- Mystic River Watershed Associationregional — Headquartered right in Arlington, this watershed group is building the Mystic Greenways network of walking and biking paths and welcomes volunteers for events and work days.
- LivableStreets Allianceregional — The Metro Boston advocacy group for people-centered streets and transit, whose research and comment letters cover projects across the region.
- TransitMattersstatewide — The transit advocacy group pushing for faster, more reliable buses and trains across Greater Boston, with data-driven campaigns anyone can join.
- Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA)statewide — A statewide coalition of community groups advocating for safe, affordable, and reliable transportation choices in every corner of the state.
- WalkMassachusettsstatewide — The statewide walking advocacy organization that leads walk audits and pedestrian-safety campaigns, with open network meetings on Zoom the third Wednesday of each month.
- MassBikestatewide — The statewide bicycling coalition — a way to plug into bike advocacy, group rides, and Bike Month events across Greater Boston and beyond.
Keep a pulse on Arlington
New street projects, meetings worth your voice, and how Arlington is moving — 1–2 emails a month.
Help Arlington climb the board
Every walk, ride, and transit trip counts automatically. Download Shift free and put your trips on Arlington's board.
Community stats reflect trips by Shift community members that start or end in Arlington and refresh hourly. Municipalities and community groups can request aggregate data at info@gogreenstreets.org. A project of Green Streets Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.