Mission Statement: Cape Cod & Islands Chapter

Rob Miceli, President

Some goals of the Cape Cod Chapter are:

• acceptance of bicycling as a safe and enjoyable means of touring scenic Cape Cod and the Islands;

• support of bicycling by government, law enforcement, and planning organizations devoted to sustaining the environment and ambience of Cape Cod;

• create of a strong community of bicyclists on Cape Cod and the Islands through sharing of information, resources, and opportunities for bicycling in all its forms among enthusiasts and neophytes, residents and visitors;

• promote of a strong statewide MassBike through expansion of membership and sponsorship on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Programs & projects:

Establish liaison with local governments and the Cape Cod Commission.

Projects:

• establish a seat for MassBike on the Cape Cod Commission’s Transportation Program;

• encourage the formation of bicycle committees in the towns on the Cape and Islands and help them become effective advocates for bicycling in the community.

Support the passage of laws friendly to bicycle transportation in the Massachusetts legislature.

Projects:

• lobby legislators representing Cape Cod districts for the passage of legislation before the General Court, one that would pass into law such bills as one that clarifies the rules of the road for both motorists and cyclists.

Promote safe bicycling practices through education programs, public communications, and the support of appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Projects:

• run bicycle training and safety education videotapes on local community television stations;

• offer MassBike’s Cycling Skills classes , developed to help train participants to cycle more safely and effectively;

• promote andorganize events that encourage bicycling to work and to school.

Promote the construction of facilities that encourage bicycling.

Projects:

• work with MassHighway, the Cape Cod Commission, and town transportation agencies to design road reconstructions that are in compliance with the Massachusetts bicycle accommodation law (Chapter 90E, Section 2A);
  
• identify and map regional bike routes and work with the state, Cape Cod Commission, and towns to improve pavement conditions, and filling in gaps and missing connections;
  
• work with towns to become “bicycle-friendly communities” by designing facilities that invite people to bicycle to desired destinations such as town centers, historic sites and the Cape’s many beaches. Such facilities may include dedicated bike paths, route signs for cyclists, “share the road” signs, bike lanes on roads where feasible, bicycle logos painted on streets where feasible, and bike racks. Such efforts may include changes in bylaws and local comprehensive plans, and working closely with the towns department of public works.

Plan and support bicycle events and rides on the Cape & Islands in cooperation with organizations that promote a healthy environment and a reduction in automobile traffic.

Establish mechanisms for communicating matters of interest to bicyclists across the Cape and the Islands.

Projects:

• create a chapter website;

• issue timely press releases to the Cape Cod Times, local community newspapers, and public access television stations;

• maintain an email “hot line” for chapter members. Content may include organized events (rides, rallies and meetings); opportunities for cycling (guides to attractive routes and interesting sites to visit); legislation before the Massachusetts legislature affecting bicycling; local problems involving roadway design, construction, inappropriate enforcement, inadequate facilities; and solutions suggested or found.

Issued July 2005 (rev. September 2005)