Results of NABB’s 1st Quality of Life Survey

Last month, NABB’s Back Bay Block Captains conducted a Quality of Life (QOL) survey to get insight into NABB member input on key concerns and priorities for living in Back Bay.

The survey received a remarkable response rate, with 186 residents taking the time to participate. There was full representation of residential areas within the survey results, including the central and outer banks of the Back Bay.

What landed as the Top 3 NABB Neighborhood Concerns?

1. Moped, Motorcycle, e-Scooter-Pedestrian interactions and observations
2. Bicycle/Non-Electric Scooter-Car-Pedestrian in shared travel spaces
3. Trash and Waste Management practices

And it may also be of interest, rodent observations ranked in a close fourth position!

1. Mopeds, Motorcycles and eScooters concerns

After data analysis of all responses, over 80% of respondents raised Moped, Motorcycle, e-Scooter-Pedestrian related concerns on our roadways and sidewalks as always, often, or sometimes concerning.

So, what is being done to address Mopeds, Motorcycles and eScooters concerns?

Over the past year, pedestrian concerns have been raised repeatedly by Back Bay residents and NABB’s City Services Committee (led by Charlie Neckyfarow) with local elected officials and the Boston Police Department. Additionally, the Boston Police Department (District D-4, primarily) has teamed up with The Massachusetts State Police and have implemented a series of enforcement operations addressing improper registration and licensing practices for these modes of travel in and around Back Bay. Last week, police confiscated 14 moped/motorcycle/e-scooters for not having proper visual registration stickers.

Note: In response to residents’ concerns, the City of Boston sent a letter to DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEats about dangerous and unlawful behavior of delivery drivers. As a reminder, for issues with delivery drivers, residents should contact 311 either by phone or by 311@boston.gov

2. Bicycle/Non-Electric Scooter-Car-Pedestrian “Roadway-Specific” and “Sidewalk Specific” Travel and Pathway Concerns

Landing at #2, just over 77% of respondents similarly ranked Bicycle/Non-Electric Scooter-Car-Pedestrian “Roadway-Specific” and “Sidewalk Specific” Travel and Pathway Concerns. While there are active discussions with the city and mixed debates about the development and locations of protected bike lanes in Back Bay, it remains to be seen what impact these measures will have. NABB will continue to advocate for what is best for the area and seek short and long-term impacts to pedestrian life, automobile congestion, and biker safety.

3. Trash and Waste Management Concerns

Coming in slot #3, over 72% of respondents ranked trash and waste management concerns as always, often, and sometimes noticeable.

So, how are we going to better manage trash and waste concerns?

The Block Captain Leads are well underway optimizing City resources, like Boston’s #311, Code Enforcement, Inspectional Services and other departments, from which best practices, aids, and support will be developed and shared as appropriate to the Back Bay Block Captains to assist in improving block cleanliness.

The Good News

A majority, 79.8%, said they are never, occasionally, or sometimes are aware of graffiti, stickers, or outdated signage. Only 20% answered they are often or always aware. This is a nod to the excellent work of the Graffiti NABBers.

And as a surprising highlight, 35% of e-survey respondents indicated they would like to learn more about the Back Bay Block Captain Program and/or potentially get involved.

The Full Report

You can review the QOL survey data results more in-depth and across other QOL markers, or to see rankings of the great attributes and fun events that make our neighborhood so special in the full survey report.

Questions & Thanks

If you have any questions or want to get involved with the Block Captain program, please email us at backbayblockcaptains@nabbonline.org.

Thank you for making our first survey such a success! Cheers to a safer and cleaner Back Bay.

The NABB Organization and Block Captain Chair Leads,
Ali Foley and Deb Bulkeley