2008/2013 Orleans Bikeways Plan

1. 2008/2013 Orleans Bikeways Plan Orleans Bikeways Committee Alison Flynn, Chairman Kevin Higgins, Vice Chairman Patricia Bradley, Secretary Jim Demaree John Fallender Mike Macke Maureen O’Day Jon Fuller, Selectman Liaison February 2, 2007

2. Bikeways Committee Objectives • Preserve, promote, and enhance Orleans biking and walking resources. • Actively monitor existing bike and pedestrian routes and provide recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for improvements related to user safety and convenience and needs such as toilets, racks, water, etc. • Aid in the promotion and safe growth of cycling and walking in Orleans and on Cape Cod. • Provide recommendations and support regarding future bike and pedestrian routes. • Assist in the implementation of these recommendations. • Make recommendations to Orleans Board of Selectmen to make Orleans a more Bikeable and Walkable community.

3. Preserve, promote and enhance Orleans biking and walking resources Initiatives: • Rail Trail preservation and enhancement • Participate and support the Town’s efforts to assure a safe crossing for Bicyclists and Pedestrians across the busy Orleans Main Street intersection • On a regional basis, work with the Outer Cape Bikeways Committees and State Officials to assure that the newly reconstructed Rail Trail is properly maintained. • Promote an Orleans “Friends of the Trail” to monitor and work with the State and Orleans to maintain the trail’s beauty. • Maintenance • Assist in the Budget Planning Process to assure that adequate maintenance of Bicyclist and Pedestrian routes are included in the Town budget

4. Preserve, promote and enhance Orleans biking and walking resources Initiatives: • Bicyclist & Pedestrian Road & Route Signs • Evaluate and recommend signs to promote biking & pedestrian safety, and traffic flow • Maintain and update Information Kiosks to provide Bikers and Pedestrians with information and directions to our Town facilities • Recommend and arrange budgeting for Highway, Parks, and Police Department in support of Biking and Pedestrian routes • Bicyclist & Pedestrian Routes & Maps • Evaluate current and future biking & walking routes • Incorporate Bike/Pedestrian Routes on the Orleans map and identify designated parking areas • Design & arrange printing of the Orleans Bikeways Map and safety information that will be available to bikers and pedestrians • Incorporate biking and walking information on the Orleans web site

5. Actively monitor existing bike & pedestrian routes Initiatives: • Provide recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for improvements related to user safety and convenience and needs such as: • Signage • Crosswalks and signals • Comfort Station and drinking water • Bike racks • Benches • Information Kiosks • Integrate with current and future Bus Routes • Pavement condition • Brush constriction

6. Aid in the promotion and safe growth of cycling & walking in Orleans and on Cape Cod Initiatives: • Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Programs • Evaluate available safety information for all ages • Work with the Orleans Police Dept., to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety through education at schools and special events • BicycleSafety Training for Orleans residents and Foreign Summer Workers. • Implement the Massachusetts Safe Rides to School program • Promote Orleans as a Bikeable Walkable Community • Promote biking and walking in Orleans through Massachusetts and Cape Codspecial events such as: • Mass Bike Week, Bike to Work Week, The Coast to Coast Bike Ride, Parades and Multi-Town fund raising events such as the Tour de Trail. • Work with Town Committees/ Departments, Mass Bike, State Officials and adjacent Towns promoting coalitions and community involvement • Evaluate Bike Safety/Accidents and assist Town Officials to improve Biking Safety

7. Provide recommendations and support future bike and pedestrian routes. Initiatives: • Determine optimal routes and construct bike/walking pathways to connect the Village Center with East Orleans, South Orleans, Rock Harbor and Skaket areas (OS-22) • Assist in the feasibility evaluation of a safe trail connecting Orleans to South Orleans with access to East Orleans • Explore the various alternatives such as through or adjacent to the Watershed, the Route 6 right-of-way or adjacent to Route 28 • Work with Chatham, Harwich & Brewster to explore the feasibility of connecting Orleans to Harwich, Chatham and Brewster • Determine grant availability and apply for funding

8. Provide recommendations and support future bike and pedestrian routes. Initiatives: • Provide support to the Town in the selection, design and implementation of additional Bikeway and Pedestrian Routes/Trails for Orleans main roads and school routes (T28) • Bay Ridge Road Link to the Rail Trail • Safe Rides to School Program • Evaluate and advise Town of current Crosswalk, sidewalk, signals that impede biking and pedestrian safety • Make recommendations for future safety improvements • Investigate future additional bikeway extensions , bike lanes, sidewalks in Orleans • Beach Road • Tonset Road • Monument Road • And other areas as opportunities arise

9. Current Status of Bikeways Initiatives • Bay Ridge Rail Trail Link • Concept developed • Presented to board of Selectmen • Received approval to continue project development • Orleans to South Orleans • Preliminary project development • Included on 2008-13 work plan • Rail Trail • The Rail Trail will be completely reconstructed by June 2007 . • In conjunction with Regional Bikeways Committees apprised State Officials of Rail Trail conditions • 2005 Town Survey • As appropriate incorporate initiatives and comments from the Town Survey into the Bikeways Plan and Comprehensive Plan.

10. Results from 2005 Town Survey related to Biking and Walking # 14.Would you agree to expansion of safe biking facilities in Orleans? These could include a new bike trail from the Town Center to South Orleans, a Bay Ridge Lane connection to the Rail Trail, and/or a bike lane to East Orleans? Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree 37.59% 36.30% 7.11% 10.11% 7.76% # 12. Do you think it is a good idea to develop connecting paths in the Village Center to make the area more walkable? Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagre Strongly Disagree 42.12% 40.26% 6.95% 7.92% 2.18% #23. Community Facilities & Services To help us plan for the future, the Town should (1) increase support for the following activities or services, (2) maintain support at the present level or (3) decrease support? Assume that an increase in support could mean an increase in taxes. Increase Maintain Decrease Bikeways47.78% 43.33% 6.71% Sidewalks 31.61% 59.66% 6.06%

11. Bikeways Calendar Project Development Moving Together Massachusetts Biking and Pedestrian Conference AmeriCorps Rail Trail Maintenance Work with Town Committees/ Departments, State Officials, Mass Bike and adjacent Towns promoting coalitions and community involvement. Plan Update 2008-13 Coast To Coast Tour de Trail International Workers Safety Training

12. Community InvolvementPromoting Safe Biking and Walking in Orleans Board of Selectmen Board of Health Orleans Improvement Association It starts with the local community building coalitions Parks & Beaches Water Commissioners Bikeways Committee Adjacent Towns Chamber of Commerce Police & Fire Departments Highway Department Planning Board Recreation, Schools & Community Mass Bike, DCR & Cape Cod Commission