Terramia Ristorante, a North End restaurant in Boston, is fighting the city’s plan to reinstall bike racks in the middle of its outdoor dining space. Carla Gomes, the owner and president of the restaurant, says the racks were previously installed in the same location and attracted rats.

Gomes shared video from three years ago showing dozens of rats on a planter and rolling around on the wheels of parked bicycles outside her restaurant. Since then, Boston removed the racks, and the restaurant has repurposed the space into a patio.

Community Opposition

More than 300 residents have signed a petition asking the city not to reinstall the racks. Gomes says she is not against bike racks but wants to keep the outdoor dining space, which she maintains throughout the year.

The city says it is willing to allow Gomes to use the space but still requires a small area for bike racks. The city spokesperson stated that the proposal is part of the city’s efforts to work collaboratively with Terramia, including past accommodations and the restaurant’s prior agreement to host bicycle rack parking on the site.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.