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Welcome to the official site of the Danvers Bi-Peds Inc.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit citizens' advocacy group working to improve biking and walking conditions and promote safe ways to use these as viable means of transportation and recreation in the Danvers area.|
Bike trail loses $700,000 in federal funding
TOPSFIELD - Border to Boston bike trail supporters are scrambling to fill a $700,000 gap left following cuts made by the Federal Highway Administration last week. Topsfield Rail Trail Committee chairman Joseph Geller says the cuts might be related to decreased gasoline tax revenues. "The irony is that we're being encouraged to drive less and we're having to shut down a project that will provide links to public transportation," he said. The 26-mile bike path was to have been built along an abandoned rail bed stretching from Danvers to Salisbury. |
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Selectmen approve rail trail lease
The packed selectmen’s hearing room Tuesday night erupted with applause and a few hoots of glee when the board voted in favor of a lease agreement for 5.137 miles of the railroad’s former Newburyport branch through town from Peabody to Wenham. With questions about the actual route resolved as well as the need to “diligently” pursue a rail trail understood as quite a bit longer than immediate, the board unanimously voted for the 99-year lease. “I bought my house 15 years ago because they were studying putting in a rail trail,” said the grassroots proponent and Bi-Peds founder Ingrid Barry after the vote, smiling ear to ear. “Hopefully I can use it with my grandkids,” said proponent Keelin Dawe, whose youngest child is a baby, indicating even proponents know a bike trail will take years to complete. Chairman Keith Lucy asked Selectman Mike Powers and Selectman Bill Clark to serve as liaisons with the town manager, the Recreation Committee and any citizens’ committee that might be formed to settle possible issues, including possible privacy issues. “The abutters’ concerns are real,” he said. Lucy also made sure the selectmen and audience understood the geography of the property, emphasizing it does not include any of the old Danvers branch that ran from another point in Peabody to Holten Street, where it met the Newburyport branch. He clarified that the town, by signing the lease as presented, takes on responsibility for environmental remediation, security, public safety and emergency services, also noting that MassHighway might be tapped for some funding at some point. “What we meet down the road can be dealt with down the road,” said Selectman Powers about problems that could arise, including, although not specifically mentioned, environmental issues like oil or creosote used by railroads. “As it improves the quality of life in Danvers, I am fully in support,” Powers concluded. With a bad knee, bicycling is one of the few things Selectman Bill Clark can enjoy in the way of physical exercise, he said. His support, however, may have preceded his medical condition, since he was on a committee 18 years ago that studied the possibility of a bike path. “I’ve heard both sides,” he said. He also continues to look into issues that might be affecting communities like Danvers, for instance, Lexington, where a bike trail passes through both commercial and residential areas and over highways. After the vote Clark came over to Barry and Bi-Ped supporters to share the joy. While some spoke of strollers and skateboards, Clark said he could even envision horses, as others have proposed. In any case, the price of gasoline is making any alternative form of transportation more attractive. On the Lexington trail recently, he saw about 30 bicyclists with briefcases attached, and on Water Street just this week, he saw five people so outfitted. Rail trail proponent Laura Cilley brought up another advantage: it will lure children away from the TV and video games and out into the fresh air. John Toomey, who has led the opposition group, was not at the meeting. Reached later, he was not reconciled to the idea. Concerns continue to be loss of privacy, increased vandalism, and cost. “Where they have built bike trails, especially those that connect with other towns, they have had all kinds of problems,” he said. “At the present time, there is no structure for allowing the neighbors any input.” Town Manager Wayne Marquis had separately indicated the need to work with neighbors, perhaps creating screening to shield back yards. “We are a community that includes people with varying interests,” he said. “We will be working with people to minimize the impact on residential properties adjacent to the tracks.” Maxine Taymore, who has acted as treasurer for the Bi-Peds, said she had decided to drop out. “If they don’t do this by the end of May, I’m out of here,” she told Barry. The selectmen kept her waiting a few more days. Taymore had nothing but praise for Barry. “She’s the one who started to build a grassroots organization,” said Taymore. “She has been very, very gracious and patient and professional.” Barry hopes to meet with the Recreation Committee, Selectmen Dan Bennett, another strong proponent, and Clark, “to coordinate how to move forward,” she said.
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Bicycle Raffle Winner - Ryan Shefferman
Endicott Park Day was a lucky day for Ryan Shefferman of Vineyard St., Danvers but he didn’t know how lucky until Dec. 20th. That was the day he learned that he had won the Trek 7100 bicycle being raffled off by the Danvers Bi-Peds. The raffle began June 23rd at Endicott Park Day. The Shefferman family was there to watch their daughter show off her winning entry in the Doll Carriage Parade. The Bi-Peds display was near by and Ryan stopped by to fill out a free raffle entry. December 15th was the last day to enter the raffle. After the entry e-mails were entered into a data base, the winner was selected electronically and Ryan was notified by e-mail. Ingrid Barry, President of the Bi-Peds, arranged to meet Ryan on Saturday, December 22nd at Western Cycle, 22 Maple Street, Danvers to present the bike and assorted Bi-Peds information to him. Ryan couldn’t have been happier since he was planning on giving his wife a bike for Christmas. Wanting something small enough to fit under the tree, he purchased a helmet and bicycle pump using his 15% discount offered to Bi-Peds members by the bike shop. The Danvers Bi-Peds would like to thank Western Cycle for their generous assistance in this raffle as well as all those who helped run the raffle, particularly Matthew Duggan. They are also grateful to all those who participated.
Bicycle generously provided by:  |
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Eight Communities - One PlanRead about the Border to Boston Trail Implementation Plan here. |
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We are now using Coppermine photo software to consolidate and categorize our images. If you have photographs of rail-trails that you've taken during your travels, please share them with us, we'll certainly give you credit. Send files in jpeg format to: photos@danversbipeds.org |
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Learn about the Bi-Peds. Read our new list of answers to frequently asked questions |
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Our primary goal is to convert the abandoned rail bed into a scenic, linear park stretching 4.4 miles through Danvers. To move this concept forward requires the Town to sign a no-cost, 99-year lease with the MBTA. The Board of Selectmen have the authority to enter into this lease and we need at least three of the five members to sign. If you believe this multi-use pathway will improve the quality of life for every resident of Danvers then please contact our Selectmen and Town Manager using the links below; let them know how you feel about this issue. |
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E-mail addresses for the Danvers Board of Selectmen:
E-mail address for the Danvers Town Manager: |
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Free! Send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to:
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Help spread the word. Show your support for the rail-trail with a free bumper sticker.
