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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-05-BIKE-chg.pdf im /1 4441; MO Ni ''"'" ° sass � TOWN OF LEXINGTON 4V 9\ �l „I MASSACHUSETTS afg9 (1i l • P a '2 RECREATION COMMITTEE October 5, 1977 Ms. Margery Battin Chairman, Board of Selectmen Town of Lexington 'gyp t 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington, Mass. 02173 Dear Ms. Battin: Last May the Recreation Committee voted to establish a subcommittee on bike paths. Recreation Committee members suggested names and an announcement in the Minute-Man told of the subcommittee and invited participation by interested town's people. The first subcommittee meeting was held June 20, 1977. At this meeting it was decided to focus on several objectives - all with the goal of improving conditions for Lexington cyclists: 1. Work on preparing plans for bikepaths and/or routes for transportation (commuting) and recreation purposes to present to town meeting beginning in Spring of 1978. (Recent legislation makes $2 million available for bike paths - 75% State and 25% local funding) 2. Try to identify inexpensive and practical ways to make bike riding safer and more enjoyable in Lexington. now. 3. Educate local residents on bike rules and safety. Subcommittee members agreed to work on group and individual projects over the summer and to meet regularly in the Fall. At the September 19, 1977 meeting - Betsy Whitman and Tom Fortmann were elected co-chairmen of the subcommittee. While discussing a possible plan of bike safety education for both cyclists and motorists - it became clear that rules need to be clarified (i.e. do you ride with or against the traffic?) The committee also found that there is an apparent conflict between a Lexington By Law prohibiting bike riding on all sidewalks and the way the Law is understood and enforced. - 2 - The By Law reads No person, unless authorized by regulation, shall use or operate on any sidewalk any bicycle or vehicle unless propelled by hand, except on such as are designated by the Selectmen and marked as bicycle paths or routes. The bicycle officer, Mills , indicated that while it was against the law to ride on the sidewalk within the central business district,that'-outside of this area riding on sidewalks is allowed by police as long as the cyclist recognizes the pedestrian has the right of way. (explanation - a cyclist should stop and allow the pedestrian to pass when the two meet;) Mills indicated that they encourage younger children to ride on sidewalks outside the center for safety reasons. There is a state law - Chp. 806 that sets what the Recreation Committee and Bike subcommittee believe to be clear and well thought out rules for bike riding Chapter 806 would be in effect in Lexington if the town had no by law but it is superceded by the local by law. The Recreation Committee requests that'the Board of Selectmen take whatever measures necessary as soon as possible to see that our law is. brought onto conformity with Chp. 806) . To our knowledge, the only conflict concerns riding on sidewalks outside the central business district. Thank you. Sincerely, 21, JU:rg JUDITH UHRIG, Chairman Encs- Copies of Lex-By Law Recreation Committee Chp . 806 and list of subcommittee members COPY TO Board Members *TOWN MANAGER-FOR REVIEW AND REPORT by 10-24-77 * Town Counsel for review and report by 10-24-77 0;0 10-7-77 \ }