Shake, Rattle & Roll. Bump and grind. Song titles and phrases like these make you think about many things: rock ‘n’ roll music, burlesque and, for those who frequent the streets of Boston, the constant merging of automobiles with potholes.

You do not have to live in Boston to appreciate Mayor Thomas Menino’s recent promise to spend almost $13 million to fix streets and sidewalks in every neighborhood of the city. Every day, visitors from near and far experience the slalom-like courses drivers must take to avoid becoming the latest casualty to a yawning pit in some thoroughfare. Life for pedestrians is no easier as they are forced to spend more time picking their way around pitfalls in the sidewalks than gazing at the architecture and historic sites that makes Boston a tourist Mecca.

Cynics might believe Menino’s decision was driven by a desire to impress the 35,000 Democrat National Convention bigwigs who will be descending upon Boston in a few weeks. Others believe he acted in response to pressure from City Councilor Maura A. Hennigan, who recently began a petition drive to force these expenditures. Whatever the motivation, the mayor’s action is long overdue.

Repaving streets and sidewalks is only as effective as the city’s efforts to maintain them in good condition. Recently, contractors digging up streets and sidewalks have been displaying signs at the work locations with their names and telephone numbers. This is an important step, as the visibility the signs create may result in a greater likelihood that patching will be made more enduring. The city, however, needs to control more strictly how often the same street is excavated and be more diligent in permanently repaving sections of roadways after utility work is complete. Otherwise, the streets of Boston will quickly return to their patchwork quilt of potholes and obstacles.