South Coast Bikeway

Connecting the Communities of South Coast Massachusetts by bicycle

News Archive

Pedal for the Path – 2018

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Thank You!! Our first ever bike ride fundraiser, Pedal for the Path, was a great success!  We look forward to the 2nd Annual Pedal for the Path!
A letter of thanks…

​Dear Readers, 
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance would like to thank the 65 riders, 40+ volunteers and many supporters of our first annual Pedal for the Path Fundraiser bike ride, held on Sunday, September 16, 2018. The ride was established to raise funds for the completion of the South Coast Bikeway, specifically the missing connection between New Bedford and Fall River.
The South Coast Bikeway, once realized, will be a 50-mile continuous system of bike paths (or multi-use paths) and bike lanes that will connect Rhode Island to Cape Cod. Cities and towns included in this plan are Swansea, Somerset, Fall River, Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion and Wareham. Several segments of the bikeway already exist in Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Wareham.
We would like to thank our host venue, Running Brook Vineyards, our ice cream sponsors: Annies Ice Cream Shack, Silverbrook Farmof Acushnet, and Acushnet Creameryat Pier 3, and The Head Town Landing Country Store for providing donuts for all of our riders. A special thank you to Kim Camara of Yesteryear Cyclery, Inc. for providing support for the bicyclists before and along the route. Thank you to the Dartmouth Rotary for providing much needed nourishment along the route and at the finish. Thank you also to Moby Dick Brewing Co., Native Brands CompanyWater, Sylvia GroupInsurance, B4 Printing, Lafrance Hospitality and the United Way of Greater New Bedford.
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is working to connect our communities with improved bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. For more information about our organization and how you might get involved please visit southcoastbikeway.com.
With gratitude,
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance

Trail Building Wokshops grant

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SCBA Trail Building Workshops
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a 2017 Massachusetts Department of Recreation  (DCR) Recreational Trail Building Grant. This “Trail Documentation, Stewardship and Skills Training” grant  will engage people from all of the communities along the South Coast to take part in a series of workshops. These  workshops will be taught by Peter S. Jensen & Associates.
The SCBA asks those who register for these free workshops pledge to volunteer one hour of service on the South Coast Scenic Greenway or other SCBA project in exchange for each hour of classroom hour attended.
​ Learn more and register your interest in participating in the Trail Building Workshops #1 & #2 below. Workshop #3 will occur in spring 2018. Participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis with preference to residents of the South Coast Bikeway communities.  This is a regionally focused grant and the participants should show a good representation of the region. 

8th Annual Bike Summit

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The South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) is pleased to announce their 8th Annual Bike Summit will be held Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Fort Taber Community Center, 1000A S Rodney French BLVD, New Bedford, MA 02744.  This year’s summit focuses on “Closing the Gaps” and hopes to bring awareness to the numerous pathway projects, large and small, within the South Coast communities. 

Keynote Speaker
David Loutzenheiser, Chief Project Coordinator for a new MetroWest LandLine initiative and Senior Transportation Planner at the (Boston) Metropolitan Area Planning Council will be the keynote speaker. Come learn how our neighbors to the north are collaborating to plan and fund trail connections across municipal boundaries and how we can advance our regional South Coast Bikeway projects.
All who bike, hike, walk or run are invited to join the SCBA for an interesting and informative evening as they celebrate recently completed South Coast Bikeway pathways in New Bedford and Fall River and share the latest news for planned projects in Dartmouth, UMass Dartmouth, Marion, Mattapoisett, and  Wareham. Learn about the potential to link New Bedford and Fall River with a 3.5 mile greenway in the largely rural areas north of I-195. 

Mr.Loutzenheiser, the keynote speaker, manages projects primarily in the area of bicycle transportation, walking, and related areas. He champions a growing number of projects and plans to bring cycling and walking transportation into the forefront of sustainability in the Boston region. He is currently working to develop a greenway system vision for the metro Boston region. In addition, he is developing bicycle and pedestrian plans for 12 municipalities within MAPC through the Sustainable Communities program. 
What’s Happening When
A welcoming reception with exhibitors begins at 5:30 p.m. Representatives from multiple local organizations who support greater enjoyment of our natural resource areas will be on hand to answer your questions. Meet with bikeway advocates, land preservationists, town and city planners and bicycle enthusiasts and discover what you can do to help complete the Bikeway. South Coast Bikeway Alliance representatives from South Coast towns and cities will be on hand to discuss progress and potential for new trails and multi-use paths in their communities.

The speakers program begins at 6:00 p.m. and concludes at 7:30 p.m. All who have an interest in pathways  for recreation, alternative transportation, promotion of tourism and economic development on the South Coast are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event.  Light refreshments will be offered. Pre registration is appreciated.

South Coast Bikeway Alliance gets state Recreational Trail Building Grant

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By Aimee Chiavaroli, achiavaroli@s-t.com
Posted Jul 9, 2017 at 7:01 PM Updated Jul 9, 2017 at 7:02 PM
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance was recently awarded a Recreational Trail Building Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Recreation, allowing people in SouthCoast communities to participate in various workshops.
The “Trail Documentation, Stewardship and Skills Training” grant will allow for workshops including GPS trail mapping, sustainable trail development and specialty skills training in stonework, carpentry and chainsaw work.
According to a news release, this is the nonprofit organization’s first step in a long term plan to work with stakeholders throughout the SouthCoast to build a network of on and off road trails connecting communities for recreational and alternative transportation.
Workshops are set to begin in the fall and could run through next spring. The workshops will be general in nature and applicable to any trail project.
An informational meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m. July 17 at Dartmouth Town Hall, room 315. Those interested in learning about trail building workshops are encouraged to attend. The workshops are designed for small groups, so space is limited. To reserve a spot, attend the meeting or contact the Bikeway Alliance on its website (southcoastbikeway.com) or Facebook page (facebook.com/southcoastbikeway).
Erin Amadon from Peter S. Jensen & Associates is scheduled to give a brief presentation to explain what the workshops would involve and who can benefit from them. In addition, she’ll provide examples of workshops that have been done in the past and explain what people can do with their skills acquired through the workshops.
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is made up of community representatives and groups that work with local leaders and organizations to advocate for and build the networks of bikeways throughout the SouthCoast region. Its’ overall goal is to promote active transportation and recreation.
The South Coast Bikeway is set to be a 50-mile continuous system of bike paths or multi-use paths and bike lanes connecting Rhode Island to Cape Cod. Several segments of the bikeway already exist in Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Wareham. The Bikeway is a regional priority as outlined in the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District’s 2016 Regional Transportation Plan.

Mattapoisett bike path on road to improvements

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By Michael J. DeCicco / Contributing writer
Posted Oct 12, 2016 at 12:17 AMUpdated Oct 12, 2016 at 1:21 PM
  MATTAPOISETT — The committee charged with improving the safe use of the town’s bike path has presented the selectmen with recommendations that include reducing speed limits and decreasing the number of confusing signs.
Topping the draft executive summary report given to selectmen Tuesday night, the Bike Path Safety Advisory Committee wants to reduce the posted speed limit to 30 mph from Timberledge Lane south to Mattapoisett Neck Road and prior to Town Landing as well as northbound near Marshmere to Timberledge.
To do this, however, said committee chair and Police Chief Mary Lyons, the town needs to request the state Department of Transportation be allowed to lower the speeds there.
“Mattapoisett Neck Road is a ‘speed-zoned’ road, based on previously established speed zone guidelines,” Lyons said. “Therefore, it will not qualify under the new ‘thickly settled/business district’ legislation that was passed.”
The solution, she said, is to send a letter to the MA Dept. of Transportation secretary and chief executive officer requesting the town be allowed limited amendments to this legislation. Selectmen quickly approved sending out the committee’s draft letter with this proposal.
Under signage concerns, to relieve what the committee called “sign congestion” along the bike path route, it recommended removing or relocating the “Share the road” and green bike path signs from Timberledge to Old Mattapoisett Neck Road north and south.
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Bruce Wheeler coached more than 1,500 games baseball and basketball at UMass Dartmouth, earning him the No. 36 spot on Buddy’s Best: Coaching Legends. #scvarsityIt also suggested additional painting markings to better warn motorists of approaching bike path crosswalks and installing electronic speed feedback signs on Mattapoisett Neck Road and Brandt Island Road as well as solar-powered “intersection ahead” signs. It noted the town’s Capital Planning Committee has already approved placing the speed signs on the fall town meeting for voter endorsement.
Under the need for better intersection design, the committee said it needed more research to find the best plan. Lyons said the options here could include narrowing the bike path lanes and add flashing beacons to slow motor vehicle traffic.
The ultimate goal, Lyons said, is approval of the Mattapoisett Bicycle and Pedestrian path that would include a final executive summary report and establishing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to coordinate the plan with public safety officers.
The research is needed to answer the question, “What is the best plan for Mattapoisett?” she said.

South Coast Bikeway Taking shape

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Standard Times
WESTPORT — Bicyclists in Southeastern Massachusetts have long envisioned a world where they can pedal pretty much anywhere. Now that vision is getting closer to reality.

“We are here today to build a bike culture,” Bob Espindola said at the SouthCoast Bikeway Alliance’s sixth annual bike summit. “It’s really important to keep people engaged.”

The summit, held at White’s of Westport, attracted cyclists from throughout the region for discussions about organizing safe riding groups and getting children interested in cycling, and an update on the bikeway itself, a growing network of trails spanning coastal communities from Fall River to Wareham. Towns in the alliance collectively have more than 10.25 miles of multi-use path and 14 miles of bike lanes complete. Fall River, Marion, Wareham and Mattapoisett have almost eight miles in construction or planning over the next five years.

The alliance is made up of eight communities, including Dartmouth and Westport. It is a volunteer-run nonprofit supported partly by Narragansett Bay Wheelmen and Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District.

The summit highlighted some nfrastructure updates, including the addition of more “bike lane” and “share the road” signs in Fall River, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven and Wareham. Bike racks have been installed at every building on the UMass Dartmouth campus. Alliance members also celebrated the 2015 opening of the Headwaters Conservation Area at 162 Blossom Road in Westport. The site includes hiking and off-road, unpaved biking paths. A grand opening ceremony for the Alfrted J. Lima Rail Trail in nearby Fall River is slated for June of this year.

In Dartmouth, 16 acres of land north of I-195 were recently acquired by the town, furthering efforts to create a proposed northern route, according to the alliance. A UMass Dartmouth transportation plan calls for pedestrian and bike improvements.

The Dartmouth Community Preservation Committee recently received an update on local plans for connecting Dartmouth pathways to the South Coast Bikeway. Greg Barnes, the town’s delegate to the bikeway steering committee, said plans are advancing for an off-road bike path in North Dartmouth from the Fall River pathway to the New Bedford line.

A developer’s donation of 16 acres of land will give the town a continuous bike route through the Southeastern Mass. Bioreserve, the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust-controlled Ridge Hill Conservation Area off Collins Corner Road, the Dartmouth Parks & Trails complex off Old Fall River Road, and on to New Bedford, Barnes said.

Chronicle Correspondent Robert Barboza contributed to this report.

https://www.southcoasttoday.com/special/20160406/southcoast-bikeway-taking-shape