Walking, biking & transit in Somerville
See the routes Somerville 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.
#6 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 Somerville— 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 Somerville moves
New to Somerville? You're joining a town that moves — neighbors logged 5,484 trips on foot, by bike, and on transit in the last 90 days, and Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge Street and Monsignor O'Brien Highway are where you'll find them. A corridor appears only once three or more different people have traveled it — and it follows Somerville residents wherever they go, including into neighboring towns, within about six miles of the town center.
Momentum
Active trips in Somerville 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 · Somerville is 7 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 Somerville 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 Somerville's totals on this page, earns you rewards at local businesses, and enters you into seasonal prize drawings.
Events near Somerville
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 · 1.8 mi away
FreeRegistration req’dBeginner-friendlyLandry's Boston Slow Roll Social Ride
Mondays · next Mon, Aug 24 · Landry's Boston · 3 mi away
FreeRegistration req’dBeginner-friendlyWeekly Social Bike Ride
Thursdays · next Thu, Aug 27 · Cafe Zing · 0.8 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.
The Community Path Connector
bike · 4 mi · ~27 min · Somerville · Cambridge
A City of Squares
walk + transit · 4 mi · ~36 min · Somerville · Cambridge
The Bakery Run
transit · 5.7 mi · ~90 min · Cambridge
Get involved in Somerville
Safer streets are made by neighbors who speak up. Start small:
In Somerville
City committees you can join
- Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee — A mayor-appointed volunteer committee that meets the first Thursday of each month, 6:30–8 p.m. (Central Library + Zoom) — meetings are open and new members are welcome.
- Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) — A volunteer committee focused on walking and transit, meeting the third Thursday of each month, 6:30–8 p.m. (hybrid) — anyone can attend. (transportation@somervillema.gov)
Advocacy groups
- Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets — A coalition of neighbors — walkers, riders, seniors, and disability advocates — pushing together for streets that are safe for everyone, with a listserv anyone can join. (somervillesafestreets@gmail.com)
- Somerville Bike Safety — A resident-led group campaigning for protected bike lanes in every neighborhood — all ages, all abilities — with petitions, action alerts, and a newsletter. (info@somervillebikesafety.org)
Free commuter perks & shuttles
- Assembly Connect — Free commuter perks at Assembly Square — Bluebikes discounts, MBTA pass programs, Emergency Ride Home, bike clinics, and Zipcar subsidies, funded by member employers and buildings. (info@assemblyconnect.com)
- Boynton Union Connect — Runs the Boynton Yards shuttle and offers annual Bluebikes memberships, carpool subsidies, and Zipcar discounts for people who live or work around Union Square, Boynton Yards, and Inner Belt/Brickbottom. (info@boyntonunionconnect.com)
Fix your own bike
- Somerville Bike Kitchen — Volunteer-run DIY repair co-op at 15 Properzi Way — walk-in shop nights Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with tools, stands, and friendly help fixing your own bike. Free and open to everyone.
Meetings & comment pathways
- Somerville Traffic Commission — The city body that votes on official traffic rules — stop signs, parking, street changes — with public meetings typically the second Thursday at 5:30 p.m. (trafficcommission@somervillema.gov)
Your transportation department
- City of Somerville Mobility Division — The city team that plans and builds safer streets — bike lanes, traffic calming, bus improvements — and the people to email with feedback on any street redesign project. (transportation@somervillema.gov · 617-666-3311)
Regional & statewide groups5 more — research, campaigns, and coalitions you can join→
Advocacy groups
- 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.
Shift Rewards in Somerville
Local businesses that reward people for moving actively
Gracie's Ice Cream
10% off your ice cream cone on weekdays until 7pm.
22 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
Juliet
BOGO drip coffee, tea, or pastry OR free pastry with purchase of drip coffee
263 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143
Marlon's Barbers
10% off
160 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
Remnant Brewing
10% Off Cafe Beverages for Shift users
2 Bow Mkt Wy, Somerville, MA 02143
Keep a pulse on Somerville
New street projects, meetings worth your voice, and how Somerville is moving — 1–2 emails a month.
Help Somerville climb the board
Every walk, ride, and transit trip counts automatically. Download Shift free and put your trips on Somerville's board.
Community stats reflect trips by Shift community members that start or end in Somerville 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.