Fear of Collision will Drive People off the Reformatory Branch Trail

~ Submitted by Lori Eggert
Editor’s Note: Lori Eggert is a member of the Conservation Commission but writes this as a private citizen.

The Reformatory Branch Trail is a gem–a peaceful woodland refuge for a diverse population of outdoor lovers: families, runners, cyclists, dog walkers, nature lovers, bird watchers, and all of us who linger in the forest for the sheer joy of the trees. Why then are we considering clear-cutting (30-ft swaths) and dumping acres of asphalt on this serene path through the woods? Whose needs are we serving with this radical change?

A lot of the conversation in support of paving centers around accessibility. We’ve been told the State wants the trail paved for ADA compliance. This leads to the false conclusion that only asphalt paved trails are ADA compliant. Nothing is farther from the truth. There are ADA-compliant non-asphalt paths all around our region that serve our disabled citizens.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Accessibility-Guide-Book.pdf.

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Furthermore, if the Town truly wants to serve our disabled neighbors, we should do what Acton has done: get a state grant to procure adaptive bikes and wheelchairs for the disabled so they can enjoy all the nature trails in Bedford, not just the RBT.  The ADA justification for paving the RBT just falls apart.

Everyone who walks on asphalt rail-trails knows that stretches of straightaways give cyclists the means to hurtle down the trail.  Undoubtedly it’s thrilling for cycling enthusiasts to move so fast. But, speeding bikes are a serious danger to pedestrians, especially slower-moving folks and erratically moving children and dogs.

If the RBT is paved, a real fear of collision will force many people off the trail, including the disabled.

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McClain, John
June 29, 2022 4:44 pm

What is considered ADA complaint has a lot of dependencies (e.g. grade, length, etc.). The state, which depending on how you count is footing anywhere between 85% and 100% of the bill, is requiring it to be
paved.

Patty Dahlgren
June 26, 2022 9:51 am

The town voted. The board didn’t like the vote. So now we vote again?! Whatever side you fall on, let’s not forget the town voted. Apparently those results are being tossed to give the board time to market better and gain more voters. This is not ok. This is not democracy, The vote was held. Honor it.

Thomas McDonald
June 23, 2022 10:32 pm

Paving the RBT is only part of the package – the project includes rebuilding the stretch of Railroad Avenue that is now a mess for pedestrians. I have walked the Minuteman Bike Path and it is simply too dangerous for me – narrow and no way to step out of the way of bike traffic. The RBT is unworkable for anyone with even a mild difficulty walking – it is wildly narrow and unsafe to walk. For me the place to walk is the Narrow Gauge Trail – it is not paved but it does have a good surface and is nice and wide safe for walkers and bikers. trees and bushes abound. I pick this over any of the paved or unpaved portions of MBT.

Vittorio Raho
June 23, 2022 9:49 am

I agree, whom does it serve? Clearing out our beloved nature trail to pave it for almost 2 miles. The group that is pushing for this has tried to link their cause with the disabled. I have not seen or heard from any group of legitimate disabled people, that they demand the town do this for them. It is beautiful the way it is now, and can be enjoyed by nearly anyone. Please get the word out around town about what is actually being proposed so everyone who lives near this can understand the impact on our environment and our wonderful nature trail. Thank you

Holly Chessman
June 25, 2022 12:02 pm
Reply to  Vittorio Raho

I’d like to rectify the point for you when it comes to not having heard from disabled people on this issue. I’m in a wheelchair for any long distance. I used to love walking the trail almost daily before I needed to use a wheelchair. I can’t use the trail now, and I miss it terribly. I would love to see the path paved. It cannot be enjoyed by ”nearly anyone,” unless you are discounting me and others like myself in the disabled community. If you want to argue about other points, go for it. But please don’t comment on what the disabled community does or does not want.

Dan Archibald
June 22, 2022 6:31 pm

Nonsense. Has the writer never been on the Minuteman bike path? The Bedford end is well-used by dog-walkers in the morning and office-workers strolling at lunch time. And down in East Arlington it’s packed morning and evening with commuters walking too and from Alewife. And cyclists manage to use it at the same time: some slowly, some faster. Sure, some few people—on wheels or on feet—may act rudely. But accidents are rare, and clearly paving or the presence of bikes don’t keep hordes of people from walking on it every day. Commenters who would prefer to keep the Reformatory Branch as their private refuge should say so, and stop stoking fears with their obviously untrue speculations.

Nonsense.

Ted T. Martin
June 22, 2022 12:32 pm

“If the RBT is paved, a real fear of collision will force many people off the trail, including the disabled.”

If the state insists, then let them pay for it…(tongue firmly in my cheek) …Some places are just for the more adventurous among us, mind you, I am not one of those…don’t pave it I say, Concord is not doing their end I understand, so it will end there anyway? It has to stop somewhere…

Nancy Wolk
June 24, 2022 12:01 pm
Reply to  Ted T. Martin

There are almost 38 miles of trails in Bedford. How hard is it to give people 1.7 miles of a safe paved route?

This plan has been in the works and voted approved to pave almost 10 years ago. The state is paying for this. We aren’t even voting on the plan! We’re voting on the town buying the path. Any landowner can block your adventure right now. Is that what you want?

Nancy Wolk
June 22, 2022 11:27 am

I disagree strongly. The path will be 18ft. I am not sure where 30ft is coming from. I strongly encourage you to walk the Bruce Freeman trail. It’s a wonderful setting, it’s wide, bikers generally are respectful, and mobility impaired people can walk the trail.

We’ve already voted several years ago to go ahead with this project. We have almost 40 miles of trails for people to enjoy in the town. I enjoy the Springs Brook area often. There are so many other conserved spaces in town. This is a 1.7 mile stretch that would ensure safety rather than be dangerous as it would be much wider than the MinuteMan trail, it would allow places for runners to be off pavement, and it would include a safe passage under Route 62. We can’t do the passage under 62 without paving the path. They go hand in hand. By voting against the land acquisition, people are voting to pay higher taxes, prevent safety measures along 62 and Railroad, throw away $11M from the state for improvements, and are ignoring the very real environmental studies that have been performed on this stretch.

There is no way to take an adjustable mobility device down several of Bedfords trails. At times, it is only as wide as my shoulders and hips. I agree we should purchase some, but it is not mutually exclusive from paving the RBT.

The town has voted on this project and worked on it with the state for almost 2 decades. If we fail this project, the tax payers will have to pay for the Railroad Street improvements. If we fail to buy the land that the RBT is on, the entire trail could be closed in a prolonged legal battle between the landowner and the town which uses that land for water and other utilities. There is no guarantee the RBT will stay open if the town doesn’t own it. Any owner, new or current, can close the trail that falls on their property. The whole point of the final land acquisition is to prevent property disputes.

There are so many other conservations areas. Taking a rail trail and improving it for all is what Bedford has consistently voted for over the years.

Dereck Blackburn
June 22, 2022 9:14 am

Paving is just one part of the overall plan. There are so many other benefits but paving is the easiest to attack. The trail as it is isn’t loose gravel and people with fast bikes have no problem “hurtling” down the path. When you get on a bike or walk on a sidewalk next to a roadway, there is always fear of a collision. Theres no magic sphere that protects you from this in either location. There should really be more resources aimed at the public to remind them that these trails are mixed use and what that means.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dereck Blackburn
loretta stacchi
June 24, 2022 8:02 am

I walk these paths I use a cane and have a small dog on lease. Many times during my walks a biker will come up behind me and speed away. I wish the bikers would let me know they are coming. One gentleman had an old fashion bike bell and it worked beautifully.

BritsArmymom
August 27, 2022 7:54 am

Ditto. One of my many imperiled experiences: two blue bikers came up behind me and, with an oncoming “racing cyclist” were unable to pass me. So they collided with each other instead of me.

Patty Dahlgren
June 22, 2022 9:11 am

I had no idea how many people worked hard to advocate for this beautiful trail to remain natural. And the more I read, the more I. applaud and agree. Thank you. Show up and Vote to save the green space for everyone.

Laura Wallace
June 21, 2022 10:02 pm

I wholeheartedly agree. I no longer walk on the Minuteman Bikeway because of my fear of collisions. Thank you for informing us on the ADA guidelines and Acton’s use of adaptive bikes and wheelchairs. Let’s leave it a peaceful woodland refuse. Let’s leave it as it is.

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