Letter to the Editor, Lexington Minuteman

December 13, 2009

The Minuteman Bikeway in Lexington was plowed last week! After last winter’s frustrating and continually jinxed attempts to keep the bike path clear of snow, the fact that we have actually managed a proper plowing is sweet news, indeed.

Those who followed the Bikeway plowing saga last winter know that, between the severe winter conditions and the arrangement made with the Town regarding Bikeway plowing (i.e., the work would be paid for with private donations, but plowing would be done only once town roadways and sidewalks were cleared), the bike path was under ice in Lexington most of the winter. We were able to change the terms of the agreement with the Town in mid-winter (i.e., we hired a contractor who was not employed by the Town, and we were allowed to open the gates), but it was too late: there was too much ice on the path and the winter remained very cold. Finally, during the last snow storm in February, our contractor’s plow broke down.

This year we were ready, even though last week’s storm wasn’t expected, and our plow contractor, John DeNapoli, plowed the 5.5 miles of the Bikeway just after the snow changed to rain. What would have been crusty ice if we hadn’t plowed it is now clear pavement. Bicyclists are braving the cold and commuting to work or riding to town, joggers are out in force, and folks are out there walking their dogs or just enjoying the serenity of the bike path. Already many have voiced their thanks and asked how they can help. Since the Selectmen continue to be reluctant to commit resources to this effort, at least for this year, we must turn to Bikeway users and other donors for support.

If you’d like to help keep the Bikeway plowed in Lexington through the winter, please send contributions as checks made to the Friends of Lexington Bikeways, with “Plowing the Bikeway” on the memo line, and mail to Abe Shenker, 6 Stedman Rd, Lexington, MA 02421.

Peggy Enders
Chair, Bicycle Advisory Committee
Member, Friends of Lexington Bikeways

[The Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Friends of Lexington Bikeways meet together monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 7 pm in the Town Office Building. Find out more about both groups at http://www.lexingtonma.gov/committees/bicycleadvisory.cfm. And to join the discussion about bicycling in Lexington, sign up for the Lexington Bicycle Newsgroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bike_lexington/.]