​Michelle Ciccolo is the State Representative for the 15th Middlesex District in Massachusetts, which includes all of the Town of Lexington and part of the City of Woburn. She serves on four Joint Committees, which include Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; Elder Affairs; Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture; and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. She is an active participant in a number of legislative member organizations, including the Progressive Caucus, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, the Food System Caucus, the METCO Caucus, the Italian Caucus, the Regional Transit Authority Caucus, the Small Business Caucus, the Climate Alliance Caucus, the Cancer Awareness Caucus, and the National Guard Caucus.
Meaningful investments in transit and transportation infrastructure must be a priority for Massachusetts. Increased traffic congestion, outdated public transit, and crumbling roads and bridges make getting around the region an increasing challenge and can ultimately damage our economy and quality of life. Furthermore, since the transportation sector is Massachusetts' largest source of carbon emissions, we need to find ways to encourage the greening of our transportation system.
While in Hudson, I served on the Metrowest Regional Transit Authority, and helped to lay the groundwork to create a shuttle to serve that community. While Chair of the MAGIC Subregion of MAPC (the 13 towns in the area north west of Boston), I initiated the first Suburban Mobility Study to evaluate how collaboration can make local shuttle buses more efficient to increase ridership and access to transit. I was also an appointed member of GreenDOT, an initiative to provide environmental recommendations to the Mass. Department of Transportation. We advised transit, bicycle, and pedestrian mobility improvements. I also served on the Healthy Transportation Compact Advisory Committee, whose mission shared some overlap with GreenDOT.
Later, as President of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) I was responsible for developing the concept for the Complete Streets Incentive Program. That key Complete Streets program is currently expanding bicycle and pedestrian options across the Commonwealth. I will continue actively supporting the Complete Streets program and ensuring its funding as well as prioritizing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
I am passionate about transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access, and I will continue to focus on funding capital improvements to public transportation. We need to close the "first mile/last mile" transit gap that separates our homes and
workplaces from convenient access to public transportation. Bicycling and walking options are a piece of this puzzle. For the sake of ourselves and future generations, we have to move quickly and boldly towards transit access and decarbonization.