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BPAC Gift Fund The Town of Chelmsford will accept private donations to fund bicycle and pedestrian initiatives in the town. The donated money is held in a special account that can be used for only that purpose. The BPAC makes recommendations to the Town about projects to be funded from that account. Donations can be made payable to "Town of Chelmsford", with "Bike/Pedestrian Improvements" written on the memo line. Please send your donations to the Town Manager's Office, Town of Chelmsford, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford MA 01824. Potential bicycle or pedestrian initiative recommendations.
Membership
Agenda
BPAC Charter and Bylaws
Contact BPAC
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meets at 6:00pm on the third Thursday of each month, at the Town Offices. Please check the Meeting Calendar for specific information.
Recent BPAC Documents
- Bike Rack Recomendation: This document highlights the BPAC recommendations for design of any bicycle parking facilities (bike racks) that will be installed by the Town. The Historic District Commission prefers the hitching post style (shown as Figures 7 or 8 in the document), in the same color green that has been used for the light poles and traffic signals, for use in Chelmsford Center or the historic district.
- Guidelines for Bike Rack Locations
BPAC 2009 News
Bicyclist Safety Bill - On January 15, Gov. Patrick signed the Bicyclist Safety Bill into law. Although bicyclists previously had the legal right to ride in the lane of travel, this law provides more legal protection to bicyclists operating on roadways. Motorists are now liable if they cause the crash of a bicyclist riding to the right. Motorists must yield to bicyclists but bicyclists should be courteous and make room for faster traffic, when possible. The new law also better enables enforcement of traffic laws violated by bicyclists. Information about this law can be found on the MassBike website below.
Bicycle Routes - Over the coming months, the BPAC will be compiling a list of bicycle routes in Chelmsford. The list will include commuting routes and marked rides, such as those sponsored by the Charles River Wheelmen. It will also include routes from neighborhoods to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. This information will be used to advise the Town on roadway and development projects. It will also be used to create a map of recommended bike routes in Chelmsford.
Safe Routes to Schools – This program, sponsored by MassRides, helps local schools develop safe walking and bicycling routes. Once a school meets its program goals, funding for improvements may be made available. Center School and South Row School have enrolled in this free program. The BPAC is available to help any other school's Parent Teacher Organizations that would like to get on board. Contact Karen Taylor, k.taylor@caseinpointinvestigations.com, for more information about this program.
Bicycle Racks – The BPAC wants to encourage the installation of well-designed, well-placed bike racks in the town, especially at public places like schools and businesses. Bike rack guidelines are available on the BPAC webpage. Guidelines for locating and installing bike racks are being drafted. If you would like more information or assistance, contact Mike Koziel, mkoziel-bpac@comcast.net.
Vinal Square improvements – It is difficult to walk, bicycle or drive a car through the Vinal Square area in North Chelmsford. Since Route 3A, which runs through the Square, is controlled and maintained by Mass Highway, the committee is working with Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) and the town to get planning for improvements to the area. This may coincide with a possible commuter rail station in the area. Write your State Representative if you are interested in seeing the commuter rail station project go forward.
Master Plan Update – The Town is in the process of putting together an update of the Master Plan. The BPAC is participating in this process and providing input to the Master Plan Committee. Tom Gazda, tgazdap5tmr@comcast.net, is providing input on Open Space and Recreation section. J. Michael Garvin, jmgarvin@comcast.net, is providing input for the Transportation section.
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail – The BPAC will coordinate activities associated with this facility once it is open. Please see the article elsewhere in this newsletter for current information. Contact Cynthia McLain, cmclain@townofchelmsford.us, if you have questions.
Winter Safety
Rules of the Road
Related sites:
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Construction status: Phase1
Safe Routes to School
MA RMV Drivers Manual
MA Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) Bike/Walk
MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Greenways and Trails
MA Highway Department Public Hearings
MA Bicyclists Bill of Rights - Description
MA Bicyclists Bill of Rights - Full Text of Bill
Townof Chelmsford Street Sweeping Schedule
References:
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), "Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities," 3rd Edition, 1999.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), "Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, 1st Edition," 2004.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Driver's Manual," Chapter 4, "Rules of the Road," April 2008.
Dodge-Jayne, "Building Better Bicycling - A Manual for Improving Community Bicycling Conditions," MA Highway Department, 1994.
Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike),
"Massachusetts Laws Pertaining to Bicyclists."
Massachusetts Highway Department,
"Project Development & Design Guide," 2006.
Town of Chelmsford, "Chelmsford Master Plan," 1996.
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