HomeMy Public PortalAboutBrewster Bike StrategyBiking Brewster
A strategy to enhance biking in Brewster
Prepared by the Brewster Bikeways Committee
March, 2016
Biking Brewster Strategy Page 1
1. Introduction
In creating the Bikeways Committee, the Brewster Board of Selectman formulated the following charge:
The Committee is charged to make recommendations to promote safe and
enjoyable bicycling in the town of Brewster and to encourage the use of
bicycles for recreation, commuting and as an alternative means of
transportation within the town and to neighboring towns on the lower cape.
This statement reflects an array of issues related to making Brewster a more bikeable town, in
promoting biking as an alternative to vehicle transport, and making biking part of a healthy lifestyle.
Indeed there are many opportunities, local and beyond, that make the Town well suited to increased
bike use. The very popular Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) provides a backbone for biking networks and
access to popular destinations. The Town’s growing reputation as a green community with easy access
to outdoor activities make biking a natural component of Brewster’s image to complement the
numerous hiking trails and beach and pond access points.
At the same time, there are major challenges that constrain biking in town, not the least of which is the
narrow profile, heavy vehicular use, and poorly marked crossing points of Route 6A, Brewster’s main
street. The risk of bike and car accidents is high under these conditions, particularly with inexperienced
bike riders.
The purpose of this strategy is to provide a framework for future decisions regarding improvements to
the road network, up-grading public facilities, and building public awareness in ways that promote the
safe use of bikes for recreation and as an alternative means of transport in Brewster. The strategy
should be the basis for more detailed plans as funding becomes available over the next several years.
At the same time, while the strategy targets Brewster Town government and local businesses, we must
acknowledge that the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is also
responsible for critical biking infrastructure in Town, notably the CCRT and the network of paths and
roads in Nickerson State Park. We encourage DCR to continue to contribute to making Brewster more
bikeable by funding regular maintenance and up-grading of this important infrastructure.
The Bikeways Committee thanks the numerous Town officials, Brewster businesses, and biking
enthusiasts who have contributed their time and thoughts to this strategy. We also thank the Cape Cod
Commission for their preparation of the Biking Brewster map.
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2. The opportunity for biking
There are many factors that support expanding biking opportunities in Brewster at the current time.
Nationally, greater concern for reducing carbon emissions by changing transport modes and the
recognition of the importance of healthy lifestyles are trends on which Biking Brewster builds. More
specific to the Town, residents and visitors alike recognize the quality of life that is available through
Brewster’s rural character, significant amount of conservation area, and natural beauty.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT) is the most obvious opportunity and demonstrates its popularity with a
variety of biking populations: young and old, individuals and families, and experienced and causal
bicyclists. One has only to stop at a trail crossing on a summer weekend to see a large numbers of users
of all types pass by. However, at the present time, the Rail Trail is the only significant biking facility in
Brewster.
Indeed, biking is already a part of the local economy with a number of businesses benefitting from the
popularity of the Rail Trail and the bike traffic it generates. Recognizing this, the Chamber of
Commerce’s Sustainability Action Plan calls for greater branding of Brewster as an ecotourism center
and identifies expanding biking infrastructure as one of the pillars of the action plan. Further
development of biking to key destinations and to shopping and restaurants will contribute to the Town’s
economic development. Studies have documented a significant benefit to local businesses as biking is
encouraged.
A number of plans already recognize the importance of expanding biking opportunities. In a citizen
survey for the Brewster 2013 Open Space and Recreation Plan, over 60 percent of respondents
identified bike trails as important, making them the fourth most requested facility. The Cape Cod
Commission’s Regional Transport Plan identifies regional biking routes that could pass through Brewster
and the Commission’s recent Livable Streets study for the eastern portion of Route 6A identifies ways to
make that section of road more bike and pedestrian friendly.
Currently and in the recent past, the Town has taken many steps to support biking in Brewster.
Scheduled for 2015, repaving Route 6A constitutes a significant improvement in the Town’s bike and
pedestrian friendly infrastructure, with plans for more and improved sidewalks and extended shoulders
to provide more space from the fog lane for bikers. In addition, the Bikeways Committee has worked
with Town departments to install more signage to the CCRT and the Natural Resources Department has
installed seasonal bike racks at the Town’s beach and pond landings. To improve bike safety, the Police
Department has established a program of distributing helmets at schools and to summer workers.
However, to continue to develop biking opportunities, Brewster will have to overcome challenges of the
narrow profile and heavily travelled nature of Route 6A, secondary roads that lack bike lanes or paths,
the lack of defined biking routes, and unsafe behavior on the part of car drivers and bicyclists alike.
These activities will be most effective if they are done in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
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3. The strategy for Biking Brewster
In light of the charge to the Bikeways Committee and the opportunities and challenges that exist in
Brewster, the Committee has identified five goals that constitute the foundation of the Biking Brewster
strategy. The goals are to:
1. Expand recreational biking opportunities
2. Increase bike access to key destinations in Brewster
3. Establish links to regional bike routes
4. Enhance bike safety
5. Build public awareness of biking opportunities and safety
Below, each of these goals is described in more detail, followed by a discussion of near (the next 2 years)
and mid-term (3 to 4 years from now) actions to achieve each goal. Because the goals are inter-related
and actions can help achieve more than one goal, there is some repetition among the proposed actions.
Map 1 shows the principal locational aspects of the Biking Brewster Strategy.
Following the general discussion of goals and activities under them, a near term action plan identifies
the specific actions that should be implemented. Some of these may be implemented as part of the way
Town departments carry out their business, while other actions, particularly those that require larger
investments will require separate action by Town government. Indeed, the Biking Brewster strategy is
not a call to action that is separate from other actions of public and private actors. Rather it is intended
to become integrated into the plans and activities for which Town departments, local businesses and
others are already responsible.
Goal 1: Expand recreational biking opportunities
This goal targets people who simply want to get out for a ride, enjoy a beautiful day, or get exercise.
People are generally looking for a loop that brings them back to their point of origin – either their
residence or a place where they have parked their car. The CCRT, the secondary road network, and
numerous conservation areas including Nickerson State Park provide a strong network from which to
establish formal biking routes, while directing bike traffic away from Route 6A. Three areas present good
opportunities for recreational biking and bike loops.
1.A East Brewster: Route 137- Freeman’s Way- Ball fields – Nickerson State Park- CCRT (Millstone
Road as an intermediate connector) The loop provides a long ride of approximately 13 miles and takes
advantage of the relatively wide rights of way on Route 137 and Freemans Way, in addition to the
existing path network within Nickerson and the Rail Trail. The intersection of Route 137 and the CCRT is
the potential starting point for the loop. In addition, Millstone Road, linking the CCRT and Freeman’s
Way, could constitute a shorter loop within this area and, at the same time, build access for people in
the large residential areas of the neighboring developments. The main constraints to this loop are the
lack of a well-defined connector from the Freeman’s Way fields area to the network within
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Map 1 : Biking Brewster Strategy
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Nickerson State Park and the need for bike and pedestrian ways on Millstone Road. Silas Road, part of
which is within the Park’s southern border and the Water department access road adjacent to the
Freemans Way Fields provide an opportunity for building a connector.
Near term actions:
1. Research land ownership on Silas Road, negotiate with the State Department of Conservation
and Recreation and Nickerson management about establishing a connector, determine the
responsibility (Town or DCR) for building a hard pack bike path
2. Develop a plan to construct bike lanes and sidewalks along Millstone Road as part of the
Pavement Management Plan.
Long term actions:
1. Integrate the construction of a bike path or bike lanes along Route 137 and Freeman’s Way as
part the Pavement Management Plan.
2. Conduct an engineering study for the Nickerson connector and construct bike path
1.B West Brewster: Lower Road and Beach Landings This loop provides access to numerous Town
beaches and allows bikers to travel along the pleasant and relatively less traveled Lower Road where
other attractions such as the Community Garden and two Brewster Conservation Trust walking trails can
be visited (and the Cobb House, future home of the Brewster Historical Society). Lower Road is a very
scenic way and bordered by many wetlands making the construction of bike lanes and/or paths probably
infeasible.
Near-term actions:
1. Establish signage indicating the bike route and add “share the road” signs and shared lane
painted figures on the pavement.
1.C Punkhorn Parklands: The Punkhorn Parklands represent an opportunity for dirt road biking, thus
are most attractive to mountain bikers. However, biking should be limited to the road network because
Town Conservation Commission policy prohibits biking on the trails. A starting point for loops within the
Punkhorn could be the parking lot at the end of Run Hill Road.
Near-term actions:
1. Build public awareness of mountain biking opportunities (Biking Brewster brochure)
1.D Establish bicycle sharing program: Numerous towns, generally more urban centers, have
established bicycle sharing or short term rental points to facilitate biking opportunities by visitors and
others who do not own bikes. In metro Boston, a bike sharing program called the “Hubway” has been
established by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. While most likely a longer term option, this kind
program could promote recreational biking with exchange points at key locations (particularly where
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there are biking loops) around town. The Town might explore working with a regional program, such as
working through the Cape Cod Commission, or working through local businesses.
Long term actions:
1. Work with the Cape Cod Commission or local businesses to put a bike sharing program in place
Goal 2: Increase biking access to key destinations in Brewster
Biking could become a viable alternative to cars if key destinations in town were made more accessible
to bikes. Bike shop and inn owners have indicated that their biking clients typically want to get to the
Town beaches. Campers at Nickerson State Park typically also want to get to the beaches, currently
primarily at Linnell and Crosby landings. Brewster’s commercial points constitute important destinations
and improving bike access would have a significant economic impact on local businesses. Improving
access to these destinations means improving signage, increasing public awareness of bike routes, and
expanding bike racks at the destinations. Increasing safety along bike routes will mean using less
travelled alternate routes to 6A where possible, providing bike lanes, and improving marking at critical
intersections and crossings (see Goal 4). Key destinations include the following:
Recreation sites: Bay and pond public landings, Freemans Way Fields, Nickerson State Park
ponds
Government services: Town Hall, post office, Brewster Ladies Library, schools
Shopping: Foster Square area, Brewster General Store, Lemon Tree Village Shops
Employment centers: Ocean Edge
Near term actions:
1. Prepare a biking map that shows routes and key destinations
2. Install bike racks at key Town-owned destinations and work with businesses to install racks in
shopping locations.
3. Improve road safety marking at intersections where bike routes cross major roads (all CCRT
crossings, Route 6A and Route 137)
4. Increase toilet facilities at recreational destinations as needed seasonally.
Long term-actions:
1. Plan for bike lanes on routes to key destinations as part of the Pavement Management Plan.
2. Discuss with DCR and Mass DOT the construction of a tunnel under 6A to improve access from
the CCRT and Nickerson State Park to Linnell and Crosby landings or a future bayside beach
access.
Goal 3: Improve links to regional routes
There is proven demand, particularly among more experienced road bicyclists, for routes across the
Cape and some necessarily pass through Brewster. The CCRT is the obvious regional route through
Brewster, and signage has recently been put up to direct regional cyclists to it. The Cape Cod
Commission’s Regional Transportation Plan indicates a “6B” alternative to travelling on Route 6A which
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comes into Brewster on Satucket Road from Dennis. Likewise, improving the bikeability of Route 137
eastbound could create a connector to the Harwich bike network.
Long term actions:
1. Improve signage indicating regional routes
Goal 4: Enhance bike safety
The combination of heavily traffic, narrow roads with no dedicated bike lanes or paths, and bicyclists
and drivers operating in unsafe ways can create dangerous situations. Brewster residents and visitors
will increase biking as a means of transport if they feel safe on bike routes. At the same time, bicyclists
must practice safe behavior by observing road rules and wearing safety clothing and helmets. The tragic
accident in 2013 involving a foreign summer worker underscores the need to educate bicyclists about
safe road behavior. The Town and businesses can play a significant role in educating the public about
safe biking. Biking safety will also be enhanced by the conditions of bike routes, and particularly by
creating well-marked crossing points where bike and vehicular traffic intersect.
Near-term actions:
1. Construct bike lanes and wider sidewalks on 6A as part of the re-paving program
2. Discourage vertical curbs, where possible
3. Improve safety marking at key intersections and crossings – signage and road painting (see
Appendix A, Proposed Bikeway Crossing Guidelines).
4. Provide incentives to encourage the purchase and use of helmets
5. Promote bicycle safety information at tourist destinations, such as inns and other local
businesses
6. Provide bicycle safety information at the Brewster Information Center
7. Encourage reflective material on bikes and clothing
8. Work with local bike shops to provide safety information with bike rentals
9. Conduct a bike safety program in the Brewster schools
Long-term actions
1. Construct bike lanes and paths on secondary roads
2. Improve sidewalks and dirt roads where there is bike travel
Goal 5: Expand public outreach about biking in Brewster
Expanding biking in Brewster will have economic and environmental benefits and enhance the Town’s
reputation as a forward thinking and green community. Public outreach to promote biking must go hand
in hand with improving biking conditions and safety education. Many public outreach activities can be
done in the near term.
Near-term actions
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1. Prepare a Biking Brewster guide for distribution at the Information Center, library, resorts and
B&Bs, bike shops, and on the Town website. The guide should include a map which also can be
displayed at key locations around town, including kiosks on the CCRT.
2. Provide biking information to people as they purchase beach stickers at the Information Center.
3. Organize bike tours to show bike routes.
4. Coordinate outreach with the Regional Transit Authority.
5. Coordinate branding Brewster as a bike friendly town with the Chamber of Commerce.
6. Create a “Biking Brewster” cell phone and tablet app.
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4. Near-term action plan
The list of actions below are intended to, first, take advantage of other investments the Town and State
DOT are taking, such as the Route 6A re-paving, and second, to begin to show progress in making
Brewster bike friendly without other major investment. Over the longer term, other actions can take
place as resources are made available and as other investments are made, most notably under the
Pavement Management Plan.
Goal/Activity Specific actions Responsibility Estimated
Costs1
Goal 1: Expand recreational
biking opportunities
1.a Establish a Nickerson
connector from Freeman’s Way
Fields
Research parcel ownership on
Silas Road for connector
Negotiate agreement with DCR
on use of Silas Road as
connector and responsibility for
installing bikeable surface (e.g.
hardpack)
Town staff NA
1.b Incorporate bike lanes,
sidewalks, and improved
crossing design into repaving
projects as part of the
Pavement Management Plan.
Integrate biking design into
repaving for Underpass Rd. and
Millstone Rd, both near term re-
paving priorities
Brewster
DPW
TBD by Town
meeting 2015
1.c Install biking signage on
Lower Rd
Add “share the road” signs and
shared lane painted figures on the
pavement
Brewster
DPW
$800 – painted
figures
(4@$200)
$600- signs (2
@ $300)
Goal 2: Increase bike access to
key destinations in Brewster
2.a Install bike racks at town
facilities and businesses
Inventory bike rack needs at
Town facilities
Purchase and install bike racks
(estimate 10 initially)
Work with Chamber of
Commerce and businesses to
develop a branded bike rack
program for businesses
Town staff,
Bikeways
Committee
$660 per unit=
$6600
2.b Incorporate bike lanes,
sidewalks, and improved
crossing design into repaving
See Activity 1.b, above
Brewster
DPW
1Adapted from: Federal Highway Administration, Costs for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Infrastructure Improvements,
UNC Highway Safety Research Center, October 2013
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projects as part of the
Pavement Management Plan.
Goal 4: Bike safety
4.a Improve safety marking at
key intersections
Establish standards for marking
intersections on the CCRT, Rt.
6A, and other Town roads (See
Appendix A for proposed
Guidelines)
Install intersection markings on
CCRT as part of Pavement
Management Plan and Route
6A as part of repaving program
Brewster
DPW
$31,100 per
CCRT crossing,
$2,620 per Rt.
6A crossing,
$2,820 per other
Town Rd crossing
4.b Conduct a safety
orientation/program for Ocean
Edge employees and other
businesses
Participate in orientation
program for Ocean Edge
summer employees, distribute
helmets, reflective decals/tape
Bikeways
Committee
$500
4.c Provide safety materials
and publicity at the Visitors
Center and bike shops
Prepare display at Information
Center with safety information
including MassDOT bike safety
brochure
Bikeways
Committee,
Brewster
Police
Department
$200 display
and materials
4.d Install “Share the road
signage” on 6A
Brewster
DPW
$2000- signs (10
@ $200
4.e Continue bike safety and
helmet program in schools
through BPD
Brewster
Police Dept.
Grant funds
Goal 5: Build public awareness
of biking opportunities and
safety
5.a Provide biking materials at
Brewster Visitors Center
Prepare display as part of
safety program (above),
including brochure and map
(schedule for 2016 after
completion of 6A repaving)
Bikeways
Committee
$500 for display
and materials
(brochure costs
below)
5.b Create Biking Brewster
Brochure
Design standard biking map
Print brochure for widespread
distribution
Bikeways
Committee
$2,000
Brochure and
map design
$1000 printing
(5,000 copies)
5.c Install maps on CCRT kiosks Map design and production for
kiosks
Bikeways
Committee
$1000
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APPENDIX 1: PROPOSED BIKEWAY CROSSING GUIDELINES
The objective of these guidelines is to standardize crossings so that drivers become accustomed to the
signage and treatment and are better prepared to stop when bicyclists and pedestrians are crossing.
Three crossing treatments are proposed for three different types of crossing situations. The most heavily
marked, for the CCRT, is required in light of the heavy bicycle traffic on that bikeway. A special
treatment for Rt 6A will alert drivers at the most important crossings (see Bikeways map). The graphics
of the proposed markings and treatments described below are presented on the pages that follow.
1. CC Rail trail- Routes 124, 137, Millstone and Underpass roads*
a. Marking/treatment: 10’ -12’ stamped pavement; 2’ yellow (thermoplastic) lines* outside of
crossing pavement, curb extensions.
b. Signage: Warning “Biking Crossing” 200’ from crossing; “Bike crossing” with arrow at crossing;
“State law, Stop for pedestrians...” at crossing; motion activated warning light (as in Harwich).
Costs per crossing
Signs 6 @ $300 $1,800
Curb extensions $13,000
Stamped pavement (12 linear ft. at $50) $600
Thermoplastic $700
Warning light $15,000
Total $31,100
2. Route 6 A:
a. Marking/treatment: 10’ stamped pavement, 2’ white lines outside of crossing pavement (white
- to be consistent with other white pavement markings as required by State DOT standards.)
b. Signage: Warning “Biking Crossing” 200’ from crossing; “Bike crossing” with arrow at crossing;
“State law, Stop for pedestrians...” at crossing; possible flashing light
Costs per crossing
Signs 6 @ $300 $1,800
Stamped pavement (10 linear ft. at $50) $500
Painting $320
Warning light $7,000
Total $9,620
Total w/o warning light $2,620
3. Other Town Roads
a. Marking/treatment: Thermoplastic longitudinal lines, 2’ white lines outside of crossing
pavement
b. Signage: Warning “Biking Crossing” 200’ from crossing, “Bike crossing” with arrow at crossing;
“State law, Stop for pedestrians...” at crossing.
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Costs per crossing
Signs 6 @ $300 $1,800
Thermoplastic $700
Painting $320
Total $2,820
* CCRT intersections will be phased in according to the Town paving schedule. Thermoplastic lines can
be tested at one intersection to determine performance in winter and whether they should be set in the
pavement.
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Curb Extension
Shared lane image
Share the Road sign
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Stamped pavement at the Stony Brook Mill
Crossing Ahead sign
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Motion activated flashing light at Harwich CCRT crossing on Rt 124
Crossing sign