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Berkshire Bike Path Council                                                                                                        

September 2008 Update

 

Moving South

This month's focus is on bikeway planning in Stockbridge and Lee-two important links in moving into South County. A tri-town meeting between Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge held earlier this summer was a great first step in identifying potential intercommunity linkages but also in recognizing that this is a truly regional effort from which all Berkshire communities can benefit.

 Marge Cohan

President, Berkshire Bike Path Council

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Spotlight                                                                                                                                 

Lee and Stockbridge

Lee and Stockbridge are both ramping up their bikeway planning. This summer, community representatives convened in Stockbridge to map preliminary bike routes linking their towns and to learn from Lenox officials about their experiences in designing and funding bikeway facilities.

In Stockbridge, a citizen committee is beginning work on identifying immeidiate community-specific improvements, such as bike route mapping and signage, along with longer-term goals of creating a community bike path and safe routes to schools, adding bike lanes, and connecting with adjacent towns. There are also plans for a town-wide family biking event next summer. In addition to the typical bike route planning challenges in the Berkshires, the many hills in Stockbridge add a topographic dimension to finding the ideal east-west and north-south routes through town.

In Lee, transportation planning has mostly centered on the Lee Traffic Study conducted by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. The study has a goal of improving pedestrian safety and mobility, and has been an important catalyst for advancing community-wide bikeway planning, including investigating pedestrian and bicycle access along the Housatonic River.

"We're excited about the possibilities in Lee. As the gateway to the Berkshires, we recognize Lee's pivotal role in developing a more bicycle and pedestrian friendly profile for the entire region. Currently, we are exploring ways to improve conditions in our own community and to connect with neighboring communities as part of the new regional bikeway system."

Richard Vinette

Executive Director, Lee Community Development Corporation


Bikeway Planning, Anyone?                         fall inset                               
In Stockbridge, the next Bike Path Group meeting is October 25th at 9:00 AM, in the Community Room at the Town Hall. Contact Marie Raftery (kmraftery@fairpoint.net) for more information.

In Lee, a bikeway planning group is forming this fall and interested citizens are welcome. Contact Richard Vinette (leecdc@verizon.net) for more information.
Ashuwillticook Trail Count: Fall Wrap-up                                        

Despite September's wind and rains the fall count forged on, with the help of our intrepid volunteers. With a boost from the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, we recorded a preliminary total of 2,177 one-way trips on Saturday, September 13th. We join the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission in thanking the many volunteers who helped make this year's trail count a success! For more information on this year's counts, visit the BRPC Bike Path Planning webpage.


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Coming Next Month!

Spotlight on the Big Picture





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We welcome your support and ideas on improving bicycling in Berkshire County. For more information, visit http://www.berkshirebikepath.com




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Please support our efforts to advocate for better bicycling in Berkshire County. Mail your check, made out to Berkshire Bike Path Council, 55 South Mountain Rd, Pittsfield, MA  01201. Per IRS regulations, your donation to the Berkshire Bike Path Council will be treated similarly to a donation made to a 501(c)(3) organization and will be tax deductible.