South Coast Bikeway

Connecting the Communities of South Coast Massachusetts by bicycle

Pedal for the Path

One Ride Two Great Causes!

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Dear cyclist – JOIN “TEAM SOUTH COAST BIKEWAY” to support both CLEAN WATER 💧in Buzzards Bay, and also, SAFE CYCLING🚲 in the South Coast!

Thank you so much for participating in the Pedal for the Path in prior years, and for supporting the South Coast Bikeway Alliance’s (SCBA) ongoing efforts to build a multi-use path connecting Providence to the Cape. Your funding is appreciated and we are having an impact! 

We write for two reasons: to let you know that we are not organizing a ride this year though we have information about how you can ride locally and financially support us, and to offer an update on recent bikeway progress.

  1. While there will be no Pedal for the Path this September, you can support the SCBA by riding in the October 1 Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. While the main purpose of this ride is to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s efforts for clean water in Buzzards Bay, the SCBA has been given permission to “piggyback” on their fundraising. Whatever you raise for Buzzards Bay will be matched by (still-to-be determined) donors to the SCBA. Over the past several years, our SCBA Team has raised $25,000 for the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Help us raise $30,000 this year! This is sufficient to meet the required match for a MassTrails grant of $120,000 to fund further design and engineering of the remaining South Coast Bikeway.

To encourage you to ride, the Buzzards Bay Coalition will offer a 50% registration discount if you sign up for the SCBA Team, by September 1. Use code EARLYBIRD. You can choose from 35-, 75-,  or 100-mile routes, and will enjoy food trucks, beer, and live music at the finish. (See link for details.) Ride with us! Wear your Pedal for the Path T-shirt! 

  1. As for the updates, progress is considerable. We have completed two ”Closing the Gap” feasibility studies that identified routing options for the remainder of the South Coast Bikeway, analyzed the costs and benefits of each, and are ready for the design/build phase. Thanks to those of you who offered suggestions in the various open meetings, and thanks to Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, BayCoast Bank funds and to the Commonwealth for a Mass Trails grant. 

More trail news…We especially call your attention to this from Mattapoisett: Ribbon cutting! New Trail Segment Opens! – South Coast Bikeway. This segment is just gorgeous – if you have not ridden it yet, put it at the top of your list. 

If you are not able to support the SCBA by riding in the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, you can still donate.  Details here: https://southcoastbikeway.com/support/. Or simply mail a check to the SCBA c/o SRPEDD 88 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02870. Thank you!

Want to learn more about our past Pedal for the Path events?

Pedal for the Path 2020

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If you couldn’t join us on Sunday the 13th,  ride the route (details below) any time during Bike Month (September). Be sure to send a photo to thesouthcoastbikeway@gmail.com or Facebook. We will share the photos on Facebook. There is still time to Cycle and Celebrate September!

On Sunday, September 13, 2020 from 9 am to 3 pm​
South Coast Bikeway Alliance members will be celebrating Bay State Bike Month and the South Coast Bikeway with our third annual Pedal for the Path ride by bicycling from Horseneck Beach State Reservation in Westport, through Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett before returning back to the start. Please join us!  Ride the whole route or select a portion. The choice is yours. Just join us to show your support. Alliance representatives will be located along the route in each community to welcome you and share the news of the bikeway in their city or town. 
We have a lot to celebrate!
We were recently awarded grants from MassTrails and BayCoast Bank to complete Phase 2 of a Feasibility Study to determine the best way to connect Fall River and New Bedford with pathways through Westport and Dartmouth.
Your input is needed!
Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) has been implementing Phase 1 of the Feasibility Study. SRPEDD staff will be on hand during the ride to share preliminary findings and seek your feedback. You can also participate online. Visit: https://scba-feasibility-study-srpedd.hub.arcgis.com/ and share your thoughts and comments.
The ride details!
This will be a socially distanced casual ride with no registration fee. 

  • Masks are required when we gather at stops and can’t maintain six feet of separation.
  • Helmets are mandatory. 
  • Bring water and snacks. 

We will NOT be able to offer ride support, traffic controls, or pre- and post-gatherings. 
Instead, we encourage people to ride on their own, with the opportunity to meet SCBA representatives at key intersections. We have lots of news to share! 
Please register, at https://www.facebook.com/events/846773802519550/ so we know how many to look for. 
As always, you can donate here: https://www.facebook.com/southcoastbikeway/ or mail a check to South Coast Bikeway Alliance ℅ SRPEDD, 88 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02870. 
All donations will be used as matching funds in our efforts toward designing and building the SouthCoast Bikeway. We have been successful getting grants, but funders expect us to provide matching funds. Your support is greatly appreciated. 
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If you can’t join us on Sunday the 13th,  ride the route any time during Bike Month (September). Be sure to send a photo to thesouthcoastbikeway@gmail.com or Facebook. We will share the photos on Facebook.

The route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33707375 
PICK YOUR STARTING POINT, DISTANCE, ONE-WAY OR ROUND-TRIP – YOUR CHOICE.
Distances are noted: One-way (Round-Trip)
Westport Horseneck Beach Reservation to Mattapoisett : 26.8 (53.6 RT) miles

  • Starting at 9 am. 
  • Westport and Swansea Representatives, Fall River Mass in Motion will be on site from 8 am.

Additional starting points and distances:
Dartmouth YMCA to Mattapoisett: 16.8 (33.6 RT) miles

  • Starting at 10:30 am 
  • SRPEDD and Dartmouth Representatives will be on site from 9:30 am.

New Bedford Pier 3 to Mattapoisett: 6.8 (13.4 RT) miles

  • Starting at 12:00 pm 
  • New Bedford Representatives will be on site from 11:00 am

Fairhaven Phoenix Rail Trail to Mattapoisett: 4 (8 RT) miles

  • Starting at 12:30 pm Phoenix Rail Trail at Main ST.
  • Fairhaven Representatives will be on site from 11:30 am. Look for them on the Phoenix Rail Trail at Main ST and South ST.

Mattapoisett – At (current) end of Mattapoisett Rail Trail at Mattapoisett Neck RD.

  • Mattapoisett Representatives will be on site from 11:30 am to share the latest news of the progress of the Shining Tide portion of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail. Marion and Wareham Representatives will be on site from 11:30 am on the Mattapoisett Rail Trail at Mattapoisett Neck RD.

Return: Route in reverse – Mattapoisett to Westport or your original starting point.

  • Starting at approximately 1:30 pm to return

Start times are approximate. SCBA reps will be on hand one hour prior to the start times.
Have Fun, Be Safe, and Thank You for your support!

Pedal for the Path – 2019

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Dear Readers, 
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance would like to thank the 73 riders, 40+ volunteers and many supporters of our second annual Pedal for the Path fundraiser bike ride, held on Sunday, August 18, 2019. 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, Dartmouth YMCA, our ice cream sponsors: Annie’s Ice Cream Shack, Acushnet Creamery (Pier 3 New Bedford and Dockside in Padanaram),and Alderbrook Farm and Head Town Landing Country Store for providing donuts for all of our riders. A special thank you to Kim Camara of Yesteryear Cyclery for providing support for the bicyclists before and along the route. Thank you to the Chase Farm Veterinary Hospital, Pare Corporation, Dartmouth Rotary and The Black Whale/Not Your Average Joe’s for their generous sponsorship. Thank you also to Moby Dick Brewery, Native Water, B4 Printing, Shaw’s Dartmouth, Stop & Shop Dartmouth and the United Way of Greater New Bedford for their support.
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


What is it?
​The South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) will hold its second regional bike-ride fundraiser, Pedal for the Path.
Beginning and ending at the Dartmouth YMCA, three distances (57, 20 and 12) offer miles of fabulous cycling, postcard perfect scenic views, more historic places than you can count, and, along the way, memorable ice cream and a donut! A post ride celebration features food and Moby Dick Brewing Co. beer for purchase!

Sponsored stops include: (Note: Each route has a different selection of stops.)
Acushnet Creamery at Pier 3 – ice cream
Annie’s Ice Cream Shack – ice cream
The Black Whale – water stop
Head Town Landing Country Store – donuts
Alderbrook Farm – ice cream
Dockside Ice Cream – Acushnet Creamery

A map and complete details will be available soon.
57 mile route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30758266
20 mile route:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30795872?privacy_code=NoR2hPgiKtf6Q5dT
12 mile route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30795677?privacy_code=f2swvhgC02Lz7QGy
Please refer to our Facebook page for the latest event updates. Contact us at thesouthcoastbikeway@gmail.com if you have any questions.  
Registration opens July 7th. As space is limited, sign up – right away! https://pedal-for-the-path-2019.eventbrite.com

Not planning to ride? Donate anyway on our website or Facebook page! Thank you! 

Volunteers Needed!
We will need plenty of help on the day of the event, Sunday 18 August.   If you don’t feel like riding but want to be outside doing something helpful and fun – then this is your opportunity to have it all. Click on the button above to sign up.
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What is it for?
This ride will help raise funds for an engineering feasibility study enabling the communities of Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Westport to move closer to completing their portions of a multi-use South Coast Bikeway spanning from Swansea to Wareham. Sections have already been completed in Fall River, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Mattapoisett. We need your help to bring the Path to completion!  

FAQs
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

  • There’s plenty of parking in the YMCA parking lot. The Dartmouth YMCA is located at 276 Gulf RD, South Dartmouth, MA 02748.

When can I check in for the ride?

  • Registration check-in starts at 8:00 am. All riders must check-in at planned intervals (indicated on map and cue sheet). Riders must return by 3:00 pm; ride support will be provided up to 3:00 pm.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

What’s the refund policy?

  • No refunds, very sorry. And the ride will be RAIN or SHINE.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

  • Print or online receipts are accepted. 
  • You will be required to sign a waiver when you arrive.

Is my registration fee or ticket transferable?

  • Not transferable, sorry. 

 What is the terrain?

  • The route traverses country roads as well as city streets and a few suburban blocks, depending upon the distance you choose. Two draw bridges, that open every half hour, may encourage you to pause and look at the boats! Water refills and bathrooms will be available at rest areas and ice cream stops.

How do I get my ice cream or donut?

  • Present yourself at the counter with your rider bib on. The 57 mile and 20 mile routes include a donut stop!

What kind of cycling support will be available?

  • Yesteryear Cyclery will provide assistance at the start, on the road as needed, and will sweep the course.

What if I can’t complete the entire route?

  • You will be provided an emergency phone number for assistance. 

What about maps/cue sheets?​

What do I need to bring on the day of the ride?

  • Remember to bring your confirmation email (electronic or hard copy) with you to check-in.
  • Helmets must be worn.
  • Water bottles are a must for this long ride. Water bottles will be given at check-in. Water stations will provide refills.
  • Bike gloves help prevent injury to hands from long hours on the handlebars.
  • Snacks and water are provided at the checkpoints. If you have other preferences (sports drink, juice, etc.) be prepared to purchase items at stores along the way.

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