Snowy and icy sidewalks pose a challenge to Massachusetts pedestrians. Most cities and towns hold property owners responsible for clearing sidewalks next to their property, yet sidewalks often remain blocked and dangerous days after a storm.

In response to many comments from Massachusetts pedestrians and observations by our staff, WalkBoston has developed seven basic recommendations to improve sidewalk snow and ice clearance. Several parties would be responsible for carrying out the recommendations: municipal and state agencies, individual property owners/managers, and advocacy organizations such as WalkBoston. A comprehensive program following the recommendations would make a noticeable difference in sidewalk conditions.

• Create a norm of snow and ice clearance through local and state marketing campaigns that make uncleared sidewalks and curb ramps as unacceptable as litter.
• Identify a municipal point person for snow removal so that reporting an uncleared sidewalk or getting assistance is provided through one well-advertised and well-staffed phone number.
• Set priorities for sidewalk snow clearance that identify the most critical sidewalks to ensure that enforcement and public snow clearance are focused on the most important locations.
• Improve monitoring and enforcement by giving ticketing authority to municipal workers who are already outdoors (e.g. paring officers, crossing guards) and can therefore see the problems in person (and remember that the goal is to clear sidewalks, not to raise money).
• Design sidewalks for easier snow removal with simple design interventions, especially at common trouble spots such as curb ramps.
• Train municipal and private snow plowing personnel so that plow drivers are sensitive to the needs of pedestrians and are proficient in techniques that aid clearance of sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian crossing islands.
• Create sensible state policies through appropriate legislation to eliminate the liability property owners face for clearing sidewalks and allow municipalities to levy more reasonable fines against those who fail to clear.

WalkBoston’s Snow Removal Report
WalkBoston's Snow Removal Recommendations