To the Editor:
The recent terrible moped accident demonstrates the hazards of these machines with their often inexperienced riders sharing our heavily traveled summertime roads. It is, however, encouraging to learn that their numbers are decreasing. It is unclear whether this is a result of raised consciousness about their safety, or is a change in how more people might prefer to travel on the Island when they come without their cars.
Our cities, due to demand for expanding their bike infrastructure and the safety provided by it, have seen a significant rise in riders, both practical and recreational. Down-Island, we have a good network of bikeways, and it is now possible to ride them between all three towns. Edgartown and environs has the most lanes, and with relatively calm in-town auto traffic, has seen the largest increase in riders, exemplifying, “if you build the infrastructure, they will ride.”
It is apparent, watching cars coming off of the boats with bikes, that there has been a substantial increase in drivers bringing bikes as well as in those peddling aboard. For people who live in suburbs, where there is minimal concern for safe biking, vacationing on the Islands often provides a rare opportunity for them to comfortably ride their bikes. Aside from the obvious reasons: health benefits, easing congestion, and plain old enjoyment, there are also commercial and environmental advantages in attracting riders to the Island; they’re both good for business and somewhat reduce the number of cars. With the VTA busses all having bike racks, it is now possible to bus/bike Island-wide.
It seems a new paradigm is taking place judging by the decline of mopeds and the increase in bicycles, but what is sorely lacking, however, is up-Island infrastructure. With the exception of the State Forest paths, a few narrow multiple-use pavings in West Tisbury, and the Menemsha bike ferry, there is little to enable safe riding on a large part of the Island.
Beginning in Tisbury, which is lacking in almost any kind of bike infrastructure, and where there is a serious need, especially at Five Corners/Beach Road, there should be a path up State Road to West Tisbury center with a connection at Old County Road to the State Forest paths, and on to the Edgartown Road intersection. These routes would provide a safe and vital bike connection along the heavily traveled routes between the Tisburys, and provide the first links in an up-Island chain that might ultimately run to Chilmark center/Menemsha via either the North or Middle roads.
The engineering challenges are greater in designing and building up-Island paths, but not insurmountable. The cost is another, and difficult, question, but as many cities and some suburbs have demonstrated, it can be done if there is the will to do so.
Tony Higgins
Christiantown
The post It can be done appeared first on Martha's Vineyard Times.