Cyclists show mettle as they pedal for bikeway
Sep 15, 2021
A cyclist waves to onlookers as he and his fellow riders pedal down Elm Street. Photo by: Sandy Quadros Bowles
The ride took cyclists through Padanaram. Photo by: Sandy Quadros Bowles
The Worcester County Women’s Cycling group enjoyed the ride and the stop at Davoll’s. Photo courtesy: South Coast Bikeway Alliance
Riding under sunny skies and facing strong winds, 111 cyclists pedaled through Dartmouth Sunday, Sept. 12 during the fourth annual Pedal for the Path to help raise funds to complete the South Coast Bikeway.
The ride began at the New Bedford YMCA. Cyclists then traveled through New Bedford, Dartmouth and Westport with an option to continue east to Fairhaven and Mattapoisett.
About $6,000 was raised during the ride. This money will serve as matching funds when the South Coast Bikeway Alliance applies for grants to advance the results of the Closing the Gap Feasibility study.
This study, which was executed by the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, identified and analyzed South Coast biking options connecting New Bedford and Fall River through Dartmouth and Westport.
Several sections of the bikeway exist in Fairhaven, Fall River, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Somerset and Swansea, but a clear route connecting New Bedford to Fall River has not been established.
The next steps include meeting with stakeholders in Dartmouth, Westport and New Bedford and conducting further outreach.
In addition to funds raised by the riders, donations were received from Chase Farm Veterinary Hospital, Plastic Surgery of Southern New England, Cisco Kitchen & Bar/The Black Whale/Joe's Original, Dartmouth Building Supply and Dartmouth Rotary.
For more detailed information on the feasibility study, visit https://srpedd.org/transportation/bicycle-and-pedestrian-networks/scba-feasibility-study/.
