[SBC] letter to the DCR re: Alewife Brook bike paths

[Alan Moore]

SBC members:

Please review this proposed letter to the DCR re: Alewife Brook bike paths.
We will discuss at Tuesday's (Jan 16) meeting.

Thanks,

Alan

==============================================================
January 14, 2007
Mr. Dan Driscoll, Bikeway Planner
Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway St.
Boston, MA  

Re: Minuteman-Mystic Connectors along Alewife Brook

Dear Mr. Driscoll:

In 2003, the Somerville Bicycle Committee was thrilled to see that the 2003
Master Plan included a bikeway parallel to Route 16 on the east
(Cambridge-Somerville) side of Alewife Brook from the MBTA station area to
the Mystic River. We appreciate that the DCR is now planning to implement
sections of this comprehensive Master Plan. This is a critical corridor
project in that Route 16 is not safe for bicyclists, that there are no other
north-south bicycle friendly routes, and that this bikeway will connect the
Minuteman Path, the Linear Park/Somerville Community path and present and
planned Bikeways along the Mystic River. 
However, according to the meeting and Concept Plan presented in Arlington in
November 2006, this "Eastside Bikeway" is not first on the implementation
horizon as it should be. While the proposed Westside Greenway seems like a
great project, the Site and the proposed design appears more appropriate as
a mainly pedestrian and low-speed bike path as opposed to the commuting and
long-distance bikeway that the corridor greatly needs. Also, we understand
that there are design concerns in Arlington that may take time to work out
an acceptable solution.

Therefore, the Somerville Bicycle Committee strongly urges that the DCR
change the implementation priorities and complete the design for the "East
Side Bikeway" from Alewife MBTA station to the Mystic river and beyond. As
shown in the 2003 Master Plan, it should connect to the Minuteman Bikeway,
cross Alewife Brook and run parallel between Alewife Brook and Route 16 to
the Mystic River. It should be paved, lit, and plowed in winter, and wide
enough for bicyclists in both directions, not just a "sidewalk improvement".
Where there is sufficient width, unpaved pedestrian paths should also be
constructed as this Bikeway will likely generate significant bicycle
traffic. The bike and pedestrian paths along the Charles River in Boston and
Cambridge would be an appropriate model for this corridor. 
Thanks again for your long-term effort on this and other bicycle related
projects in the region. It's seldom that an agency such as yours already
owns the land and resources to be able to construct such a needed bicycle
infrastructure. The Bike Committee is ready to work closely with the DCR and
other bicycle advocates to help design and implement this critical bikeway
that will greatly benefit Somerville and the region. We look forward to
hearing from you soon about a meeting.
Sincerely,
Alan Moore
Chair, Somerville Bicycle Committee