Lexington Friends of the Minuteman Bikeway
2005-06-15

This friendly Minuteman enjoys riding on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway.

Many people in Lexington and the surrounding towns use their bicycles on designated paths. Care for these paths is provided by members of the Friends of the Bikeway.

The Friends of the Bikeway Letter from the 1996-1998 chair, Jerry Van Hook, addresses the mission of this organization.

Ongoing Responsibilities

Stewards help keep the Minuteman Bikeway clean and inviting. Please do your part. Contact Jim Wichmann if you are willing to help.

Ongoing maintenance includes trash pickup, invasive plant removal, and keeping the paths and their edges safe and free of overgrowth.

The Lexington portion of the Minuteman Bikeway has five stewards, each in charge of their section, and who schedules work among those in their neighborhood who do that ongoing work.

Special Projects

Bike Racks

We have selected and standardized on the Cora Bike Racks for commercial installation. We have purchased several. We thanked Jerry Slack, of the Cycle Loft and Tom Fortmann for contributing others.

Safety

We added Safety Signs in Lexington Center reminding cyclists that there is no riding on the sidewalks in business district.

Trail Building

Thirty-two volunteers built a new trail on 2001-10-27 from Bridge School to the Coppersmyth Condominiums. It included two bridges and two raised walkways over wetlands, and path- clearing through town land. The purpose of this trail is to encourage safe off-street walking to school, and relieve the heavy automobile traffic to the School.

Advocacy

Members support other bikeway developments throughout the region by attending meetings where these projects are being planned, and sharing our experience and enthusiasm.

Joint Meetings

We organize and participate in joint meetings with similar organizations in surrounding towns.

Cleanup Parties

We advertise and hold spring and fall cleanup Saturday mornings for the entire Lexington portion of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway.

Charter

The Charter for the Friends of the Minuteman Bikeway provides the expectations for this organization. The charter is being updated.

For contrast, compare with the Charter for the Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee (LBAC).

Membership

See the membership application, and follow instructions thereon. Note that contributions to the Friends is tax-deductible, as it is managed as a special Lexington fund.

Many people are active in both the Friends and the LBAC.

Meetings

The Friends of the Minuteman Bikeway meet jointly with the Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee on the second Thursday of every month. at 7:30 p.m. usually in Lexington Town Hall. Visitors are welcome. Several members represent bicycle interests in surrounding towns.