Submitted by Suzy Enos
Bedford Friends of the Minuteman Bikeway
The Minuteman Commuter Bikeway will turn 25 years old this year. The towns of Arlington, Lexington and Bedford will celebrate on September 29th (the week after Bedford day) from 11 am to 3 pm. To celebrate 25 years of going places, Arlington Public Art has championed Bikeway Haiku, asking for submissions of haiku from local users of the Minuteman Bikeway. Dozens of haiku will be selected and painted (temporarily) on the bikeway for the celebration.
Libraries in the Bikeway towns have encouraged patrons to create haikus for the effort. Details, examples and a submission path are available at www.bikewayhaiku.org. You may even see a ‘haiku invite’ around town or a test haiku on the trail! Submit your haikus by Monday, August 20th to be considered for the trail.
About the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway
While rail trails may seem common in 2018, it was a radical idea in 1975 when it was first proposed. An engaging documentary about the challenges to establishing the bikeway and the individuals who championed the effort can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBY81vjAD2E.
It took 18 years to get the bikeway approved. In the end, it was the promise of bicycle traffic reducing car traffic into Alewife that allowed the funds to be released. Our Minuteman Commuter Bikeway becomes the example that other projects around the country used to model their own projects.
Additional Details About the 25th Birthday Celebration
Bikeway birthday festivities will include bands, art, food, a beer garden and more – along the trail and in the three town focal points: Jefferson Cutter House in Arlington (corner of Mass Ave and Rte 60), the Visitor Center in Lexington and the park area around Bikeway Source in Bedford. Of course, the best way to celebrate the trail is to get out and bike, walk, blade or roll down the trail.
For more information on the celebration, consult the website for the event: www.bikeway25.org.
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