Chilmark selectmen put the brakes on a preliminary plan to build a shared-use bike path on North Road, amid a sea of criticism from town residents Tuesday.
Chilmark selectmen put the brakes on a preliminary plan to build a shared-use bike path on North Road, amid a sea of criticism from town residents Tuesday.
The outpouring of disapproval came at the selectmen’s meeting, after a letter recently went out to frontage property owners on the rural road sketching the preliminary concept for the path. Drafted by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and brought before the West Tisbury and Chilmark planning boards in September, the preliminary plan calls for creating a shared walking and cycling path along the six-mile bucolic road that runs from State Road on the West Tisbury end to Menemsha.
On Tuesday, selectmen said they had been inundated with correspondence, all of it condemning the idea in the strongest terms.
“I’ve gotten 20 emails in the past two days about this topic,” said selectman Warren Doty. “I attended the planning board meeting where this was presented. I heard universal opposition to the idea . . . And I just think the idea of changing North Road and expanding it or widening it in any way is just a nonstarter, the people of Chilmark are not going to go for it.”
The project, though still very much in its nascency, would become part of a network of bike paths connecting the Island towns — from downtown Vineyard Haven through Chilmark and Aquinnah. Early study showed North Road as the most suitable option for the up-Island portion of the path, commission representatives said.
On Tuesday, Dan Doyle, special projects planner at the MVC who is spearheading the project with commission member Jim Vercruysse, said no concrete plans have been drawn, and among other things, mapping the placement of the project’s 50-foot right of way on the narrow road remains undetermined. The project also would require town approval, Mr. Doyle said.
“We don’t want to propose anything tangible, until we really know we’re up against and we don’t know what we’re up against,” Mr. Doyle said. “We’re trying to promote safety and it just seems the deck really stacked against pedestrians and cyclists on any of those three [Chilmark] roads.”
Residents had a different view.
“I’d just like to register our total objection to this. It’s a destructive idea,” said North Road property owner Rich Parker, who was among the first of about 12 residents to speak. “It will destroy the tall trees, the walls and all kinds of natural beauty on North Road.”
Deborah Hancock opposed the use of town tax dollars to fund a project that would alter Chilmark’s pastoral landscape.
“At this juncture, we still have the option to preserve beauty and not turn Martha’s Vineyard into the Hamptons. This may be our last chance,” said Ms. Hancock, evoking the founding conservation mission of MVC. “Up-Island we’ve managed to hold back the urban spread largely because of the power of town government. To create an SUP on North Road would destroy the very thing we have to date, the ability to protect.”
Others raised environmental concerns.
“The countless old-growth native grapevines would need to be destroyed, no longer available to remove carbon out of our atmosphere via photosynthesis,” said resident Carrie Fyler. “I think we might all be horrified if we actually calculated the number of acres that we might have to be clear cut and the native habitat that would then be destroyed for our birds and mammals.”
Mr. Vercruysse pushed back lightly. “Things change over time and I just hope you can keep an open mind and promote connectivity on the Island,” he said.
But with clear opposition from the town, the selectmen sided with their constituents, voting unanimously to oppose the concept of an SUP on North Road. Instead, selectman endorsed a “share the road” campaign to improve bike safety.
Mr. Doty said the commission could “continue to plan for improved bicycle safety, including pedestrian access . . . but we really do not want the nature of North Road changed,” he said.
In other business Tuesday, selectmen invited police chief Jonathan Klaren and Tri-Town ambulance chief Ben Retmier to discuss possibly mandating the Covid vaccine for all public safety staff.
Speaking for their teams, both chief Jonathan Klaren and chief Retmier expressed ethical concern over enforcing vaccinations for unwilling force members.
“I think we all feel that if there was a magic vaccine that we all took and then the virus couldn’t spread anymore go away and that’d be a great thing,” said Chief Klaren. “But when it comes down to specifically speaking for the Chilmark police department, it becomes a lot more complicated when you have a job that is mandated and you have employees who wish not to take the vaccine.”
Selectmen agreed to encourage and recommend the use of a vaccine but not mandate it.
The board voted unanimously to approve changes to cemetery regulations, including keeping eligibility criteria for cemetery lots for five consecutive years and minimizing lot sizes to conserve cemetery land.
Also Monday, selectmen moved forward with plans to install solar panels on the two public safety buildings soon to be renovated. Selectmen plan to send a letter of intent to the electric cooperative CVEC, requesting inclusion in their network for the project.
Comments
Nice to see a town step
Bob EdgartownNice to see a town step forward and stop the MVC in its tracks. Towns should be able to have control over there roads and zoning and not be subject to the whims of the MVC. Keep North Road free!
If you want to make bicycle
ChrisIf you want to make bicycle travel safer and more inviting to the public, lower the speed limit or enforce the existing one, make bikers utilize front and rear flashing lights, wear safety helmets and ride in single file. There you go. Leave the existing roadway and adjoining private land alone.
Why would they do a bike path
Jon Oak bluffsWhy would they do a bike path? Bikers drive on the road next to all the bike paths on the island, definitely don’t do a bike path.
This is completely ridiculous
Islander MVThis is completely ridiculous. Bike paths connecting the island towns is much needed and a no brainer on so many fronts.....safety, environmental, beach parking, fitness. People take their lives in their hands when they try to bike on state, middle, and north roads as things are. The only reason that locals don’t want this is more people on their quiet roads and more people up island. Discussion of how it would ruin aesthetics or worse remove oxygen from the air because some plants need to be cut down is an insult to normal intelligence and logic. The MVC should be doing this and I hope the rest of the island sees beyond their own personal preferences like these silly Chilmark residents.
Exactly. Chilmark is the #1
Kelce OBExactly. Chilmark is the #1 NIMBY town on this island.
Darn right, which is why it
Sarah ChilmarkDarn right, which is why it is so lovely up at this timeless region of the island! Let it remain forever so....
Yes.
Thatcher Ulrich Oak BluffsYes.
Unless you are using your
SARAh ChilmarkUnless you are using your bike for necessary transportation, there are already loads of places to safely ride on the island. Where is the sense in destroying this beautiful roadway for no reason? I vote a big fat NO!
"Discussion of how it would
Katherine Scott Tisbury"Discussion of how it would ruin aesthetics . . . is an insult to normal intelligence and logic. "
Actually, this statement is an insult to normal intelligence. North Road is one of the most beautiful thoroughfares on the Vineyard. In the state. In the world. The source of danger to bikers is *vehicle drivers,* not bikers. It is drivers who must change their hazardous behavior. We cannot continue to destroy our environment because of irresponsible, scofflaw drivers who do not want to share the road with bikers and who drive on North Road and elsewhere like they think they are on the Mass Pike. @@
Bikers have the right to use the roadways. Period. All of those who drive a vehicle onto the ferry should be handed a flyer with their ticket that explains the law of the state and the rules of the road on Martha's Vineyard and lists the fines and possible jail terms if any driver is involved with an accident involving a biker. That is the law in The Netherlands. Car drivers are super-careful there. The dreadful SUP along Beach Road in Vineyard Haven is the kind of result you get with over-eager MVC planners and under-eager selectpersons who keel over and do not protect their town's interests. Bravo, Chilmark selectmen, for siding with your citizens, and with common sense. The rest of the Island thanks you.
North Road is not a nature
mike SomewhereNorth Road is not a nature trail that needs to accommodate hikers. Shared walking path - No. Adding 18" - 24" to the roadway for bikes that would not destroy the natural beauty of North Road, but could potentially save a life - Yes. Think about the terrible accident we just had over the holidays. We really do not want people trying to pass slower traffic - like bikes create. And you know they will.
This North road plan should
John Cape CodThis North road plan should be cancelled with it's scenic route left as it is. If any funding is to be spent on bike path's it should be used for repairing / upgrading current path's already in place, as they are presently in very poor condition. Any future new bike path construction should be planned for areas of high congestion, not a quiet scenic road.
I’ve sometimes wondered
M VHI’ve sometimes wondered whether, from something like 9am to 4:30pm in high-traffic summer months, North and Middle Roads might become one-way. The directions could be alternated each week to mitigate (but, I appreciate, not eliminate) inconvenience for those who live on one of the roads. But that would allow one lane for bikes and one for cars, enhancing safety (and for everyone who remembers being stuck many cars behind a group of bicycles for what feels like miles, perhaps even easing travel!).
interesting idea that has
Lisainteresting idea that has been utilized elsewhere with great success. Low cost, low impact, sustainable, serves the greater good. Furthermore, this is an easy planning concept to test for a period time allowing for actual data collection. Even variations could be considered, like weekends only, etc.
The idea to transfer some of
Zeb AquinnahThe idea to transfer some of the existing car-favored road way to bicycles is worth discussing seriously, even if just to open a dialog about the existing preferences given to driving. It would make driving a bit more inconvenient and biking a little more convenient. Kind of like a "inconvenience tax" imposed on a mode of transportation that, while essential to the community, also has many negative externalities. One big problem, though, would be signage. Properly demarking the bike and driving lanes might ruin the beauty of North Road. As to building new bike lanes, which I generally favor, they do have their problems: in addition to expanding the amount of pavement, they often fall to disrepair and, as we see on other lanes on the island, create hazards from drivers pulling out of side streets. (I don't think that would be a problem on North Road.) This is a worthy discussion.
People walk on bike paths so
Cement Truck Driver Edgartown but used to be Vineyard HavenPeople walk on bike paths so a lot of the bikers still stay on the roadway's
If this ever goes thru up island will be just as congested as edg/ob/vh
Those towns will then complain and the SSA will bring more people and cars to the island. Its all inevitable, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
I frequently run/walk the
MarieI frequently run/walk the paths in Edgartown. In the warm months it gets busy. Without it two-way pedestrian/bike traffic on both shoulders would be dangerous. There are occasionally bikers (in the special Spandex outfits) in the road. They tend to go fast.
Why be so selfish about safety? The down island towns have been successful it’s time for Chilmark to step up.
How can anyone oppose a bike
RW HooterHow can anyone oppose a bike path ? It offers safety and recreation for residents, It’s quiet, encourages folks to use environmentally friendly modes of transportation. I cannot think of a single negative aspect of a bike path. There are bike paths all across America, everyone loves them. What is your problem chilmark, I don’t get it. Please don’t ever mention climate change again if you can’t even start with a simple bike path.
Who is using the bike paths
Local MVYWho is using the bike paths to go from town to town? Does the MVC look at them when they’re driving? Very little use anywhere on the island eight months out of the year. Those months that it is in use it’s generally by recreational users locally and not to get from town to town. The real bikers that ride here are riding on the roads which is their right and are fantastic. So...the MVC wants to disrupt the very representation of why many of us make the extra effort to live here by paving nature and history so a handful of tourists can ride or walk in Chilmark between July and Sept? Tone deaf MVC. Chilmark doesnt want it. Nobody wants it. Stop. If people with limited transportation choices want to “connect” to another town, take the bus. Otherwise are hundreds of safe, beautiful, nearby trails and dirt roads to ride all over the island.
Well pick a road then. North,
RW Vineyard HavenWell pick a road then. North, South or Middle, however one should have a bike path. Regardless the speed there are some tight curves, and accidents happen. The same is true for Lambert's Cove Rd in WT. Seeing vacationing families with small children on that road is horrible. Just think of that woman on State in VH who fell and died a horrible death because there were no bike paths. This could have happened anywhere with no paths.
North and Middle Roads are
Hugh Weisman ChilmarkNorth and Middle Roads are already suitable for cyclists, albeit not younger riders. Bikes have no problem sharing country roads with vehicular traffic providing that drivers obey speed limits and are considerate to cyclists....One possible suggestion might be closing the road for a few hours every Sunday morning, except for residents, to allow completely unhindered riding. 6-1/2 miles of the Bronx River Parkway, a major route, running north out of New York City through populous Westchester County is closed from 10am to 2pm most Sundays in May, June, and September, for cyclists, joggers, walkers, and scooters. Why not North Road? https://www.thewpf.org/event/bicycle-sundays-2/2020-05-17/
This is a matter of equity.
Andrew NYCThis is a matter of equity. Woman an children won't bike unless we provide a protected bike lane.
Want to "preserve" the character of MV? Remove all cars. Just like it used to be.
This is the real meat of the
MWG EDGThis is the real meat of the issue.
A bike path would destroy the
Mitch ChilmarkA bike path would destroy the very thing it is trying to provide, access to a beautiful pastoral setting. The beauty of North Road derives from the walls and trees lining it. These are invaluable and irreplaceable resources. We welcome people to share in that beauty. Come to Chilmark and walk the trails and sanctuaries. Drive the speed limit and enjoy the beauty. Don't tell us what to do with our town.
Does the person enjoying
Roddy Seasonal VisitorDoes the person enjoying using the word photosynthesis even realize that up to 85% of all the earth’s oxygen is actually produced within the top 6 meters of the ocean’s surface? I hardly think a few grape vines will have any impact whatsoever. I’m actually waiting to hear someone claim there may even be an impact on Snail Darters.
NIMBYism at its best!
Ken Rusczyk Oak BluffsNIMBYism at its best!
If we want fewer cars we need
Martha Vineyard HavenIf we want fewer cars we need better and more bike paths for bikes AND walkers. Chilmark could lead here - but they are the 1% who don't.
There is a wonderful island
Darrell King EdgartownThere is a wonderful island-wide bus system and a comprehensive down-island bike path system. Put the money into maintenance for these, not to destroy land and trees up-island where everyone can already go. We go there BECAUSE of the way it exists now. Leave it as it is!
I have never understood why
Carol EdgartownI have never understood why Chilmark beaches are closed to the public.
Closed to the rest of us - can't swim, bike, walk safely in Chilmark. Why?
Because the ruling class lives there?
Here, here w/ regard to the
ECS Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownHere, here w/ regard to the beaches. Bike paths yes but moving stone wall NO, NO, NO.
Unfortunately, I do not live
NMCDMCG MarylandUnfortunately, I do not live on MV but look to MV and its COURAGE to stand as a beacon of beauty and simplicity. The thought of removing old trees and stone walls is heartbreaking. "For the greater good" IS NOT widening roads and destroying the very character of what is MV's greatest value. The act of widening roads is the first step to other intrusive changes. Believe me. Do you really want to look and function as every other spoiled area. May I suggest creating your own MV "Peleton" app.
People say how wonderful it
Jonathan K. MVYPeople say how wonderful it is to drive/ride on the roads up island and yet they want to change the very same thing that they say they love.
People move here because of the character of the island and then they turn around and want to urbanize it like the streets of NYC or overpopulated American suburbia.
If you don't like the way things are here by all means PLEASE move back your urban concrete boxes, plastic lawns and dirt free roads.
I have been biking for over
Peter Bruce ChilmarkI have been biking for over 50 years on the roads in Chilmark, both for recreation and for errands. I can't count the times I have been squeezed or cut off by a vehicle passing me without waiting for oncoming traffic to clear. If Chilmark doesn't want to add bike paths, or widen the road just a bit (even the extra 12" they have in Aquinnah would help a lot), then motorists need to be patient and pass bikes only when oncoming traffic is free. From May - October, the road is de facto shared; on one ride I encountered, going in the opposite direction, 20+ cars, 6 bicycles and 5 people on foot. Safety needs to be paramount, even if for vehicles this means slowing down and waiting.
Peter, your comments are spot
Richard DeWitt ChilmarkPeter, your comments are spot on. The numbers and ratio you provide of cyclists on our up island roads are representative of every Saturday and Sunday morning from 6 AM until 10 AM during the summer. It is not just cyclists all kitted out on our up island roads, but casual cyclists of all abilities and runners too! Interesting that we have signs on our up island roads alerting motorists to the potential for deer and horses to be in the road way, but nothing about the potential of cyclists in the road way. Speed limits for motorists need to be re-examined and bike/pedestrian signage is needed. Behind the scenes island advocates will be working on improved safety solutions.
Everyone knows how to drive
ECS Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownEveryone knows how to drive and more signs won't add to the knowledge. The country is over-signed. The reading material they provide is more dangerous than texting - fortunately nobody reads them.
I've been up-island for 50
DavidI've been up-island for 50 plus years. I rode a bike to the Chilmark Community Center as a kid. I never let my kids ride bikes on Chilmark roads in the summer. I've also driven on the roads and there are no shoulders. I don't think we need a dedicated bike path, but widening at least South Rd. to give 18 to 24 inch Shoulders would be a great improvement.
Wow! a very hot topic in a
ECS Ft Lauderdale / EdgartownWow! a very hot topic in a cool season. Lets get to the bottom of this in short order. the base/macro issue is growth. Until the island addresses this issue from ferry traffic to building permits we will continue on the current path, Coney Island here we come period! u c its very simple.
I lived in Cambridge for the
Sarah EdgartownI lived in Cambridge for the past 5 years and was very impressed with their improvements for bike safety; painting the bike lanes, reflectors, etc. make it very clear where bikers (and drivers) should be. Maybe we should address these needs first (especially in 5 Corners) before adding new bike paths?
I saw someone mention the need for bike paths so families could bike up-island and think a lot of tourists aren't aware of how large the island actually is. It reminds me of a lot of mopeds going up-island in the summer...
Let’s empower those trying to see the island to do so as safely as possible with clear signage for bikes AND buses. There are a lot of different ways to explore this beautiful place and I think presenting all the possibilities is a great way to start.
I would not dream to speak on
Claire K. ChilmarkI would not dream to speak on behalf of North Road residents for whom this is a direct issue, but I will venture the following:
From my own little perspective living part-time on South Road between Beetlebung Corner and Lucy Vincent, I could understand better the need for a very modest, stonewall-preserving footpath, for the safety of local pedestrians, since long stretches of road have not even a foot-wide shoulder to seek safety when a car comes.
However, I am sorry to say that although I would enjoy bicycling leisurely to Menemsha myself, I am not at all in favor of bike/walking paths, having observed increasingly often over the past ten years, both on island and off-island, instances of an immature, arrogant and downright offensive attitude by a certain breed of high-performance cyclists in costly sports gear, who think nothing of insulting or intimidating pedestrians and more old-fashioned cyclists, and are an added danger to cars as well, with a strange sense of road entitlement. It only takes a few to give all cyclists a bad name, but once a dedicated bike trail is advertised, they tend to quickly colonize it at the expense of ordinary users, and yes, there is no return and we start looking like the Hamptons, sigh.
You've got to be kidding me
August West EdgartownYou've got to be kidding me with that comment, Claire. Immature, arrogant, offensive, insulting and intimidating? A danger to cars? I walk and run and bike here every day and haven't seen any of this. Spandex is cheap, by the way.
Chilmark had the chance in
Richard Hertz The CrickChilmark had the chance in 1993 to widen south road and make the road sharable Bikes/Mopeds/Cars.... But they shot it down. The State was going to fund it as well....
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