Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning

Transportation choice influences how people move from place to place. Bicycle and pedestrian transportation is an essential element for creating a region with a high quality of life where people can easily be physically active and enjoy all the benefits that our region offers while getting from one place to another.  In addition, with the cost of gasoline rising to historic levels, alternative transportation becomes an even more attractive option.  MVPC is working with communities to create an interconnected network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities to make it easier for people to choose these modes of transportation.  Such a network includes sidwalks, trails, on-road bicycle routes, transit, etc.  Together, these individual elements make a workable network that people can use to walk their children to school, visit friends, run errands, commute and more. In addition, by choosing to walk or bicycle instead of drive, individuals help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.  Trail Maps  — Find maps created by MVPC in cooperation with volunteers and communities.

Initiatives MVPC is supporting several regional bicycle and pedestrian initiatives including: Border to Boston Trail — A multi-use trail connecting Salisbury to Danvers. Coastal Trails Coalition — Bicycle/pedestrain network between Amesbury, Salisbury, Newburyport and Newbury. Upper Merrimack — Bicycle/pedestrain network between Lawrence, North Andover, Andover and Methuen. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge — Bicycle and pedestrain connections to the refuge. Merrimack River Trail — Connecting communities along the river.  Water Trails — MVPC supports signed water trails such as the Eight Towns and the Bay kayak trail.   MVPC provided data gathering and mapping assistance to the Haverhill Trails Committee in the development of A Comprehensive Guide to Exploring Haverhill Trails.

Alternative Transportation Committee

The Regional Trails Committee advises MVPC on issues surrounding bicycle and pedestrian transportation.  In addition, members of the committee are vital partners in creating an interconnected system of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and have assisted in the creation of trail maps and the bicycle plan. The meetings provide an opportunity to share information as well as discuss and plan for tasks. Anyone is welcome to join the committee.  Check the calendar for upcoming meeting dates.

Bicycle Parking

During 2005-2006, the Central Transportation Planning Staff conducted a survey of the usage of bicycle parking at all MBTA stations, including the commuter rail stations in the Merrimack Valley.  See the results of that survey here.

Transportation and Your Health

Hot off the presses, a new report shows that a $10 per person investment in strategic community-based disease prevention programs aimed at increasing physical activity and nutrition and preventing smoking and other tobacco use would result in a $96,200,000 net savings in health care costs in Massachusetts.  This includes investments community infrastructure that make it easier for people to be active. Case studies include Somerville and Attleboro programs.  For more information, check out the study, Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities, published in July 2008 by the Trust for America's Health, The Urban Institute, The New York Academy of Medicine, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the California Endowment and the Prevention Institute.

Safe Routes to School

Communities can take advantage of Massachusetts' Safe Routes to School Program, managed by MassRides, which provides:

• Customized program design and implementation
• Educational materials and programs
• Student giveaways
• Safety enhancements
• Infrastructure Improvements