Martha’s Vineyard Commission planners are eyeing a significant up-Island expansion of the Vineyard’s already growing pedestrian and bicycle network.
Martha’s Vineyard Commission planners are eyeing a significant up-Island expansion of the Vineyard’s already growing pedestrian and bicycle network, with early efforts underway to design a first-of-its-kind shared use path along historic North Road.
In a letter that went out to landowners with road frontage earlier this summer, Dan Doyle, special projects planner with the commission, said conceptual planning had begun to expand biking and walking options up-Island. After significant considerations, they concluded that North Road — a historic, six-mile road that winds through West Tisbury and Chilmark’s scenic rolling hills, farmland and fields — as the best candidate for the path.
The up-Island North Road path would connect what planners hope is eventually an Islandwide network of bicycle and pedestrian links, stretching from Edgartown to Aquinnah and traversing drawbridges, state forest and ferries along the way.
The West Tisbury-Chilmark section represents an essential artery for the planned bike path network, but presents its own array of difficulties, according to the letter.
“We are proposing a route that attempts to maintain the roadway character, through preservation of most stone walls and many geological features, while trying to account for key tree specimens and privacy issues,” the letter says in part. “We will present our work to various boards and committees in West Tisbury and Chilmark in the coming months and would welcome your input as a landowner along North Road to help us better understand how a SUP might be designed to serve the community while retaining the up-Island character. We wanted to make sure you heard from us early on.”
The conceptual proposal — still very much in its nascency — has come before the West Tisbury and Chilmark planning boards in recent weeks. Mr. Doyle and commissioner Jim Vercruysse, an Aquinnah resident, are spearheading the planning.
The path would run from the intersection of State and North roads in West Tisbury to Menemsha. The road is co-owned by the two towns; the first approximately 1.5 miles are in West Tisbury, with the rest in Chilmark.
Although North Road is about 20 to 30 feet wide with a 50-foot right of way, the project would likely involve various easements to avoid cutting trees and disturbing the historic stone walls that line the roadside edges. Planners are examining options both inside and outside the right of way, as well as paved and unpaved paths. There are about 60 to 80 landowners on both the north and south sides of the road, according land surveys and assessors maps.
Mr. Doyle noted the challenge — and also the significance — of the proposal in his letter.
“To protect North Road’s character, it appears likely that numerous easements from landowners will be needed given the existing roadway layout and location of many stone walls. While this is an unconventional approach for creating a bike path on the Vineyard, there are decades of precedence in working with multiple landowners to create walking trails that cover substantial distances. A similar cooperation of landowners may be the only way a bike path can be created up-Island,” the letter says.
The Vineyard’s once-limited mishmash of semi-formal bike paths has undergone dramatic developments in recent decades through Islandwide planning initiatives spearheaded by the commission, state and town governments.
After a commission study came out in 2009 regarding shared-use paths, Tisbury’s Beach Road corridor that connects with Oak Bluffs and the hospital was identified as one of the largest down-Island gaps. In August of 2013, MassDOT hired an engineering firm to design improvements for pedestrians and cyclists along the road. Six years later, about $7.2 million in federal and state money was finally allocated for the project.
A three-year construction timeline was set to begin earlier this month.
Meanwhile, a plan to construct a path along State Road in West Tisbury that would stretch from the intersection with Old Stage Road and connect with North Road is also in the works, according to Mr. Doyle. The plans, if completed, would represent the first shared use paths up-Island, and connect down-Island paths via the Dr. Daniel Fisher Road and paths in the state forest.
In a phone interview this week, Mr. Doyle said discussions with Mr. Vercruysse regarding the North Road proposal began about a year ago, with the intention to expand the Island’s shared use path resources, particularly up-Island.
“There’s big gaping expanses up-Island with no connectivity whatsoever,” Mr. Doyle said. “We feel the deck is sort of stacked in favor of cars . . . and it’d be good to give people other choices that are safe. That’s really the motivation for it.”
Mr. Doyle said an analysis was done of the three main arteries that run pretty much parallel to one another through Chilmark — North, Middle and South roads — as well as ancient ways, to determine which would work best for a shared use path. After examining variables such as wetlands, right-of-way dimensions, the number of properties with road frontage, intersections and the terrain, North Road emerged as the preferred option.
South and Middle roads, with encroaching stone walls and high embankments, were likely too narrow, especially considering resistance among the planners to widening the road, Mr. Doyle said. North Road would give planners more flexibility, although trees and stone walls also present difficulties.
At the Chilmark planning board meeting, Mr. Doyle said a vocal contingent of residents and landowners expressed concerns about preserving the scenic road, including the tree canopy. A few residents also spoke in support of the proposal, Mr. Doyle said.
“The planning board meetings are definitely a reminder that this is going to be challenging,” he said. “People don’t want to see a single thing changed to North Road.”
The modern version of the road dates to the 1930s, and includes a variety of vistas, historic properties and eclectic sights, such as the iconic, red Mobil gas pump. But Mr. Doyle said the old road doesn’t run in the middle of the right of way, meaning the next step in the project would be to do a comprehensive road survey and mapping to determine pinch points. He said planners have no intention to disturb the stone walls, even if they are within right of ways.
The project would be eligible for Transportation Improvement Program funding, which helped finance the Beach Road SUP, according to Mr. Doyle. But it would need approval first — which remains a long way off.
“I hear an objection that is, these roads haven’t changed in forever, they are so beautiful and should be kept the way they are. I feel, let’s find a way to let people visit them in the most low impact way possible,” Mr. Doyle said. “We feel like you can still have this enchanting ride up North Road and preserve some of these viewsheds.”
Comments
All well and good unless that
Local MVYAll well and good unless that bike path evolves into what has happened with the current bike paths on much wider roads: those that ride for exercise are riding on the roads to avoid the slower riders riding for recreation. At certain times of day, there are almost as many bikes in the road again as there were when we or those bike trails in. More mopeds. More bikes. More cars. More cost. More accidents. How do we best fix what the existing challenge is before making it worse in Chilmark due to narrower morw scenic roads. If it doesnt work on the Edgartown West Tis Rd how will it work on North?
I agree. As someone who lives
Chilmarker ChilmarkI agree. As someone who lives off North Road, the only bikers who come up this way are generally very experienced bikers who stay single file, often coming early morning and coming for a scenic ride of the landscape as it exists. Casual bikers don't come up here and it's hard to see how the bike traffic is demanding this kind of expansion, disruption and (I fear) destruction of North Road. This feels like the creation of something that is not being asked for in any forum I've seen or read, but rather a planner's vision who doesn't live up this way of what "should be". Extremely disheartening.
Exactly my reaction.
Islander TooExactly my reaction.
Have any studies been done regarding the projected usage of this bikeway? $$
People who live on North Road will not suddenly take to their bikes to get around because there is little "local" traffic on North Road. $$
Every time I drive on North Road (I usually take South Road if heading for Aqinnah) I am reminded of how lovely it is, with the canopy of trees and the stone walls and mini-views. $$
A person hired to "plan" has to "plan" something to earn his or her paycheck.
Do we really need this "plan"?
I think not.
Everyone should be reminded that bikers have the right in Massachusetts to use the roadways. Drivers must share the road with them, and be reminded via signage that this is the law.
I agree 100%!! Could not have
Beetlebung ChilmarkI agree 100%!! Could not have said it any better!
I enjoyed riding a bike 60
John Wiener Boulder, COI enjoyed riding a bike 60 years ago0, but seldom down-island due to lack of shoulders, until mountain bikes came out, with much better stability off the pavement. Now, I am far away but never far from thinking about the Vineyard as it was so long ago. Bring back the quiet roads and shade between ferries!
Well said. I agree
Cement Truck Driver Edgartown but used to be VHWell said. I agree
An excellent, long overdue
Dmm NJ (visiting MVY 3x/year)An excellent, long overdue idea !
Can't wait to see this plan fulfilled.
Will a bike path to Aquinnah be next ?
It seems to me that South
Mack and the boys West TisburyIt seems to me that South Road would be a better choice. Why funnel riders through North Tisbury?
South Road is scenic, but
David Aquinnah/WisconsinSouth Road is scenic, but traffic is way too high for a shared use path. Separating cars and trucks from bikes is a good idea, but there is another approach: Carve out 2 feet on the shoulder in places where it's feasible, so bikes can move aside and traffic can safely pass. This could even be applied to the miserable State Rd. section between Beetlebung and Gay Head Lighthouse.
Wouldn’t that be wonderful
Nancy Dole North TisburyWouldn’t that be wonderful for children and adults to be able to go for family walks along North Road again or bike or ride ponies as we used to years ago before the traffic got so heavy and cars so speedy that it became unsafe. I still feel the loss, and I never walk along the walking paths that were built in North Tisbury without feeling grateful for Mr Haynes my neighbor who worked so hard to make it possible for people to walk along that section of State Road safely.
This falls into the truly
Quitsa ChilmarkThis falls into the truly terrible idea category and could only be developed by people who are not actually cyclists. It is genuinely less safe for even a moderately fast rider on a road bike to ride on a bike path than on rural road as we have on the island. That's why as noted in the above post that you see many cyclists on the road -- which they have an absolute right to use under Massachusetts law -- even when there is a parallel bike path. A "shared use" path is even worse because of the mixture of pedestrians and families with strollers and small children on scooters and push bikes weaving around, not to mention that the paths tend to accumulate gravel, sand, glass fragments, and other hazards. In my experience over decades of cycling, the main consequence of a parallel bike path as on the Edgartown-West Tisbury road is to exponentially increase the hostility from motorists towards cyclists. They will scream and honk and point to the bike path. There may be an argument for a very narrow, unpaved foot path because a person walking or running has much more exposure to vehicle traffic. Finally, a bike path would destroy the character of North Road and continue the relentless march to suburbanization on the island.
I want to partly agree with
John Wiener Boulder, COI want to partly agree with the comment from Quitsa, and to note that a rear-view mirror on your helmet is especially valuable -- please note that a mirror on the handlebar makes you turn the bike to change the view, while one on the helmet does not. The helmet-mounted mirrors look cheap and over-priced but you truly want them to break off rather than impede your head from rolling in an emergency. Get one for every person in your circle and your family who rides!
Bike paths are not
Sara Piazza EdgartownBike paths are not necessarily the solution. The entire paradigm needs to shift away from vehicle drivers thinking they are king of the road and entitled to drive as fast as they want to understanding that in most cases bicycles have a legal right to use the roads and the drivers need to slow down, stop bullying bikes into the gutter, and stop passing unsafely by crossing the double yellow line into oncoming traffic. It can be argued that the bike path is designed mainly to get bikes out of the way, otherwise the existing bike paths would be maintained a little better - pot holes would be repaired and branches that hit you in the face would be trimmed. Cars need to slow down and have patience.
Agree first and foremost that
Leslie West tisburyAgree first and foremost that getting motorists educated that bikes have equal rights to roads and need to slow down!
Let’s get that into the mindset of all Islanders!
Well, if cars slowed down,
Nancy Dole North TisburyWell, if cars slowed down, obeyed the laws, then I would be happy to bike with my grandkids and let them ride their pony along North Road. Guess what? They can’t ride there safely, even though they gave the right to do so, because cars can’t be counted on to obey the law. Particularly in the summer cars speed, pay no attention and make no allowances for bikes, strollers, ponies on North Road. They break the existing laws and they just are clueless.
This plan was floated about
bs Oak BluffsThis plan was floated about 20 years ago and killed by opposition from Chilmark NIMBY's.
Money would be far better
Slater MVMoney would be far better spent on a bit more of an effort to actually enforce the speed limit.
I love the idea of more
Robert EdgartownI love the idea of more dedicated bike paths around the island, but what I would really appreciate even more is some much-needed maintenance on most stretches of the existing bike paths, especially around Edgartown and south of the airport. Almost not worth using.
I’ve been bicycling North
david b menemshaI’ve been bicycling North Road for 45 years, including yesterday. It does not need a bike lane. There are no serious conflict between bikes and traffic; it is already a perfect biking road. As a driver, too, I have rarely had to slow down long to pass a biker safely.
Of the Up-Island roads, it’s South Road that has conflicts between bikes and cars–– far worse traffic and more blind curves and hills. Of course, the most pressing need for a bike lane is State Road between North Tisbury and Vineyard Haven— there are no good alternatives for riding here, no shoulders, and very heavy traffic. Let’s focus resources where they are needed–– and please, please leave beautiful, Olmsteadian North Road alone!
I have biked on North Rd for
John Cape CodI have biked on North Rd for many decades and I agree that a bike lane is definitely not needed on this road. The amount of bike traffic on this road just doesn't justify the consideration. If you want to improve biking on the Vineyard you can start by maintaining the infrastructure that already is in place, which is in really poor condition. After that priority is taken care of bike lanes / paths should be planned for areas of heavy traffic, especially those that don't even have a shoulder to ride on ! As far as accidents are concerned they are the result of Drivers / Cyclists / Pedestrians not following the rules of the road and not paying attention to what they are doing. Everyone needs to stop playing with there phones, slow down and focus on what you are doing !!!
Bad idea on so many levels.
Not Just Another Tree Hugger ChilmarkBad idea on so many levels.
1) We have 35+ miles of shared use paths (SUPs) on the island now. Cyclists rarely use them and continue to use the roads.
2) Cyclists will not use SUPs that are not paved. Paving a path along North Rd is not possible in many of the proposed sections of the road.
3) Many areas of North Rd are wetlands heretofore sacrosanct resources on the island. Wetlands be damned for cyclists?
4) Leading even more cyclists into Menemsha and Beetlebung will than add to the most dangerous section of roadway as they make their way up State Rd to Aquinnah
5) The beautiful canopy of trees that enshrine North Rd has and is being depleted by storms, utility work and winter moth. Clearing trees for cyclists will only add to the loss of what is arguably one of the most scenic roads on the island.
Now that I have seen some of
Sara Piazza EdgartownNow that I have seen some of these comments, I will say that I was on the MVC pedestrian and bicycle committee advisory board for a short time (whence this plan was born) and I can tell you, yes, these ideas are a fun exercise for a committee, for planners sitting around a table who are far removed from reality, from the beauty of North Road, from the island way of life, and from the fact that the average cyclist does not use this road. Also, be aware that the BPAC is gung ho on promoting E-bikes "put every butt on a bike" - and the E-bike is allowed on bike/SUPs. Beware of the MVC and its planners (PS - a few weeks ago I trimmed - with hand clippers - all the bushes on the bike path between the Triangle and Bend in the Road. Cyclists thanked me, EPD tried to stop me).
Thanks for the clipping work,
Katherine ScottThanks for the clipping work, Sara!
Two weeks ago I rode from Edgartown to OB (and then to VH) and noticed how many branches were hanging in one's way. Also there are some BIG bumps in parts of that path. Watch out!!
The same is true on the Edgartown-VH road bikepath, where greenery grows out into the bikepath and riders must duck to avoid it---then also watch out for major bumps that can knock things out of one's basket. Anyone who intends to plan for Vineyard bikers should spend at least a year riding only a bike, as an exercise in humility.
The whole SUP idea is a nonstarter for the Vineyard, IMO.
I am so glad to see that work has been stalled on the Beach Road SUP in Tisbury.
I hope someone sees the light here, and returns to the original plan of symmetrical paths, with dedicated sidewalks. It really is not a good idea to mix pedestrians with bikers, strollers, etc. And the general lack of respect for our trees is very troubling, whether in Tisbury, where honey locusts were planted by the Friends of Tisbury but no one takes care of them, or on North Road, one of the very few places anywhere where one can enjoy traveling under a leafy canopy. Car drivers should be obliged to slow down and accommodate bikers. If we can get everyone to wear a mask in the space of a month, then I think we should be able to get everyone to slow down in the space of a month.
I realize that this sounds
Robert Skydell Formerly of Tea Lane, North Rd. sideI realize that this sounds like a good idea to many people but there are several overriding issues they may not be aware of. People assume that mixed use bike paths are inherently safer but that is often not the case. Accident and injury reports can bear that out. When this was proposed many years ago I asked the Police and EMT's how many serious bike and/or pedestrian accidents there were each year along North Rd. The answer was basically few to none. Slower vehicle speeds protect all users. It may be an inconvenience from the standpoint of the motorist in a hurry but too bad. North Rd. and Middle Rd. are two of the most beautiful roads on the Island as a result of the shaded, arbor-like quality, the adjacent fields bordered by ancient stone walls and the absence of visual clutter. There are many places and paths for cyclists, walkers, joggers, etc. to enjoy the Island without the requisite destruction of what already exists along North Rd. Please reconsider this project.
Bob, you got out of Dodge at
Ken Rusczyk Oak BluffsBob, you got out of Dodge at the exact correct time.The future is not pretty on our once fragile outpost.I pray I’m wrong.
Very bad idea. Casual bikers
Darrell King EdgartownVery bad idea. Casual bikers should use the wonderful bus system to go Up-Island, especially once all the vehicles are electric. And we need a home-rule petition to ban bikers from using the highway when there is an adjacent bike path. We paid for bike paths to make it safer for bikes; use them. It is obviously very dangerous for bikes to ride on the highway, both for cars and bikes; I'm a biker myself but have no sympathy for those who continue to ride on the roads.
Please leave the Up-Island roads as they are and use the funds to improve the Down-Island paths.
Ridiculous - absurd -
Frank Brunelle Vineyard HavenRidiculous - absurd - terrible.
I’m a cyclist and don’t use
Rich Vineyard HavenI’m a cyclist and don’t use the roads because automobile drivers are too busy using cell phones to talk and text to pay attention to cyclists. I’m strongly in favor of expanding bike paths on MV, everywhere.
Please answer me this? We
Lorraine EdgartownPlease answer me this? We live on an island, no matter which direction you go, you hit water. Where on earth is everyone going in such a hurry? Slow down, enjoy the views, treat all on the roads with respect, with that and good manners, there really is not a problem, right?
I'm delighted to see this. I
Thatcher Ulrich Oak BluffsI'm delighted to see this. I ride all over the island, including North Road on occasion. It's challenging due to hills and car traffic but well worthwhile. A shared use path would greatly improve accessibility for people on foot and more casual cyclists. I feel a path is a success when I'm comfortable with my kids riding on it - high hopes for this one!
North Road is one of the two
North Road homeowner ChilmarkNorth Road is one of the two or three most scenic on the Island. Why anyone, particularly the MVC, would consider pulling down legacy trees and stone walls to be replaced with an asphalt bike path is beyond me. This plan must not move forward!
We have tampered with the
martha edgartownWe have tampered with the integrity of MV to accommodate the masses to the point where the compromise is too great for so little outcome. Please do not mess with North Road. Thank you.
Well said!
North Road homeowner ChilmarkWell said!
Dedicated bike paths are life
MarieDedicated bike paths are life savers. Many families would bike that area if the roads weren’t so dangerous
Up Island folk never want to share.
You know where we could
Worker ChilmarkYou know where we could funnel all the money it would take to destroy this road, demolish ancient stone walls and trees? Affordable housing. How about this island finds space for it’s dwindling and struggling year round community to safely thrive, before we make room for things like bike paths? Are you kidding?
Wow! As a designer and
David Schuster North Road, ChilmarkWow! As a designer and planner I recognize, all too well, this common circumstance. A person, in this case a group of people, the MVC, falling in love with their "own" idea. Their affection for the idea persuades them, sometimes blindly, to pursue it despite reasons that strongly challenge the merits.
To avoid this rabbit hole and achieve a better outcome, I suggest reverting to some critical questions:
(1) what are the DEMANDS? - in this case the people, the numbers, the time of year, the methods needed to get from point A to point B;
(2) what is the GOAL? - improved safety, promotion of recreation, a tourist attraction?;
(3) what are the OBJECTIVES? - the actions need to be taken to achieve the goal i.e. negotiations with abutters, the prospective application of eminent domain, land clearing, the intersection with wetlands, moving mending walls, grading, paving etc.;
(4) COST/BENEFIT - do the benefits exceed the cumulative time, money, effort, and impact of the project?
If I apply these questions to the currently proposed Shared Use Path (SUP), on the face of it, that is with an eyeball test, I would conclude that the proposal lacks sufficient merit. This is particularly true when you consider Cost/Benefit.
The MVC appears to have good intentions but, they should pursue other ideas to achieve their goals. I am confident a better solution exists. One that is less costly, less disruptive, and less impactful on the environment. Sometimes, simpler-is-better!
I am one of the serious road
Alex M EdgartownI am one of the serious road bikers on the Island in the summer. This idea is so unnecessary and would be so expensive. It will destroy what makes UP Island so special. The down Island bike paths (Edgartown to Katama, Edgartown to Oak Bluffs) are so crowded with pedestrians, and novice bike riders (many on their cell phones or listening to music thru ear buds) that they are unsafe.
Who is in charge of the
Sally SherwoodWho is in charge of the upkeep of these bike paths?
The loop that is perfect for the older generation; the one from the T toward Oak Bluffs is horrendous and dangerous. My thought is that if we can't keep the paths we have in good shape, why add more.
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