“Everyone should feel safe and comfortable on their neighborhood streets,” the Department of Transportation say on their website. The Boston Safety Surge program was recently announced, where various city streets will get additional speed humps. The intent is to make neighborhoods a more comfortable and safe place to walk, bike, or roll.
NBC Boston shared this quote from City Mayor Michelle Wu discussing the initiative: “We want to make sure our streets are safer for drivers, for cyclists, for pedestrians and everyone who gets around.” Reducing the speed at which people drive is part of the solution, but there are additional measures to take. Using signal changes and speed humps immediately slow speeding. The expectation is then this reduces the number of crashes or speed-related accidents.
What Are Speed Humps?
In short, they are asphalt that is built into the pavement upon which they rest upon. They are typically a foot to 15 inches long and approximately three inches high. Most of them are smooth and offer a gradual ascend-to-descend roll. White triangles are painted atop the speed humps. Signs are installed so that drivers are aware they are there and that they are about to go over one.
Speed humps will be specific to side streets or smaller streets that do not get bus or truck traffic. They are installed in a consecutive “series” style approach. This enforces a consistently slower pace at which cars must drive.
What’s The Plan?
Boston is currently targeting a three-year plan to strategically place these safety measures like speed humps in applicable neighborhoods.
“We mapped out small, connected networks of these streets. We then evaluated each area based on demographic information and crash history,” the city posting explains.
Finally, additional pieces of the Boston Safety Surge program include designing safer intersections and street signals. You can read the full press release from the City of Boston here.
Boston Will be the Only U.S. City To Host Red Bull Cliff Diving
On Saturday, June 3, the Seaport district will host one of the season’s most extreme events. For the second year in a row, Boston will host the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. In fact, Boston is the only American city to be selected to host.
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) will be the official site where 20 of the world’s best divers will compete. It’s the first stop on the tour, which also includes France, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and New Zealand. The events are held from June to November.
Red Bull describes the event as one where “Divers execute incredible acrobatics from heights of more than 20 meters in the ultimate display of focus and skill.”
There will be 16 divers (8 female / 8 male) competing at each tour stop. In addition, wildcard divers will be selected to represent their country at each location as well. In total, 12 women and 12 men compete at every event. The women launch from a platform of 21 meters high, and the men from 27 meters. They are judged individually by a panel that looks for the creativity and acrobatics displayed in each dive. At the end of every season, a champion is awarded the “King Kahekili” trophy, as well as a winner’s prize fund.
What is Red Bull Cliff Diving?
As Red Bull describes it, “Free-falling from up to 27m combined with awe-inducing acrobatics.” The sport itself originated hundreds of years ago in Hawaii. King Kahekili, after whom the champion’s trophy is now named, was a Hawaiian chief who first leapt from the holy cliffs of Kaunolo in the 1700s. Today, each competition under Red Bull rules takes place over two days. Judges rate each diver. The winner is determined by who has the highest point total at the end.
Boston
There are some Boston date specifics to be aware of. The event is free but with a capacity limit. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot. There will be a giant jumbotron onsite for viewing. Furthermore, there will be live music, interviews, and additional entertainment during the competition. The Boston Harbor waterways are regulated during this time. Though there appear to be some viewpoints, boats are not allowed within the designated marina. Finally, Red Bull does provide drinks and snacks for purchase. The event is rain or shine unless there is thunder, lightning, or high winds. So, mark your calendars for June 3 and head down to the Seaport’s ICA on Northern Avenue.
