MassPaths Bikepath Snow Plowing Report
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Bikepaths are an integral part of the bicycle transportation network, and these reports are provided to encourage their use by bicyclists who might otherwise not venture out in the snow, and to encourage their proper maintenance (which includes snow plowing) by the responsible agencies given in bold type below. Paths with significant foot traffic become unskiable within a day, and remain a mess for everyone if they are not plowed while the snow is still soft.

This morning, the snow started falling early in the morning so that there were a couple of variably plowed inches by rush hour. Almost all of the paths I encountered except the BU Bridge sidewalks were plowed and passable. There may be drifting later today if the forecast high winds occur. With snow (and sleet and freezing rain) falling through the day, more plowing will be needed by nightfall.

Please send updates and reports on the conditions of other paths in Massachusetts to Doug Mink.

Stony Brook Reservation
4+ miles of paved bikepaths
Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation
These paths aren't plowed because they get relatively little transportation use and because they are used by cross-country skiers like me. Today, I had a meeting at the park headquarters 3/4 of the way down from the highest point in Boston, so I biked up Washington St. and took the snow-covered path down the hill to avoid twisty Enneking Parkway, where I later heard that there had been several spinouts already. There was a bit over one inch of snow and no footprints so it was great snow biking, quiet and surrounded by trees.
Arnold Arboretum
1.5 miles of park roads which are mostly closed to automobile traffic with no intersections
Boston Parks and Harvard University
The roads were plowed, but not to bare pavement.
Arborway "Bike Lanes"
1 mile of wide paved shoulder which is unmarked but usually clear of parked cars during rush hour
Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation
The DCR plowed the Arborway to the curb for most of this stretch, and these pseudo-bikelanes should be clear by evening.
Jamaicaway Bikepath
1.5 miles of mostly bike/ped-separated paths paralleling a busy 4-lane parkway; two intersections with traffic lights
Boston Parks Deparment
The path was plowed except for the stretch from Kelly Circle north to the Jamaica Pond boathouse. It also was slightly sanded and salted. The plow did a great job following the curved parts of the trail, and I expect the entire trail will be clear by my trip home tonight.
Olmsted Park Paths
3/4-mile of mostly bike/ped-separated paths built over Riverdale Road, across Leverett Pond from the Jamaicaway.
Brookline Park Department
I forgot to look because I was too busy getting across Route 9.
Muddy River Path
12-foot-wide 0.6 mile shared bike/ped path with no intersections
Brookline Park Department and DPW
The path was plowed to packed power about the same as the Jamaicaway path.
B.U. Bridge
Easy connection to Charles River bikepath Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation
The sidewalks were plowed to bare pavement by Boston University; the plow was still out when I went over around 11:00 am.
Charles River Bikepath
Narrow, shared bike-ped path with few intersections
Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation
The Cambridge side path was plowed to packed powder from the B.U. Bridge at least to Hawthorn St., where I got off.

Thank the DCR for plowing the path during snowfalls at 617-626-1250. Contact Christina Doctoroff in DCR Community Affairs

J.F.K. Park
Wide, shared bike-ped path from river to Harvard Square
Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation
Plowed, but I rode the riverside path and only looked at it.
Lincoln St. to Cambridge St. MassPike Bridge
Bike/Ped connection from Harvard Square to Allston's Harvard Ave. district via Franklin St.
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
Not checked.
Southwest Corridor Bikepath
Separated Bike/Ped path with poorly-designed intersections
Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation
Not checked, but the draft DCR snow plowing policy would put much of this path at Level 2, "dedication of snow removal resources within first 24 hours after storm event."
Melnea Cass Bikepath
Separated Bike/Ped path
Boston Parks or Transportation Deparment
Not checked yet, but probably not plowed.
Neponset Trail
Mostly paved Bike/Ped path
Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation
Sometimes the park manager plows this path.
If you use this path regularly and want the DCR to plow it, let them know at 617-626-1250 or contact Christina Doctoroff in DCR Community Affairs. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/aboutDCR.htm.
Somerville Community Path
Wide rail trail from Davis Square to Cedar St.
City of Somerville
Not checked, but probably plowed.
Red Line Linear Park Path
Alewife MBTA station to Davis Square over Red Line
City of Cambridge City of Somerville
Not checked yet, but probably plowed here and there.
Cambridge Bike Lanes
Striped lanes of varying widths on major and connecting streets
City of Cambridge
The lanes on Mt. Auburn St. west of Harvard Square were not plowed.
Fresh Pond Bike Path
Parallel to Fresh Pond Parkway in Kingsley Park
City of Cambridge
Not checked.
Alewife Parkway Bridge Sidewalk
Connection from Minuteman Bikepath to Fresh Pond and beyond
Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation
No report yet.
Minuteman "Commuter Bikeway"

Towns of Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, and Bedford
This path is not plowed ever. Contact Clear the Trail to help get the Town of Arlington to plow their section of the trail.
Northampton Bikeway
East-west across the City of Northampton
City of Northampton
Craig Della Penna, who lives next to the path, reports that it is the intention of the DPW to make it passable ASAP after a storm. If the storm is significant, then they plow it repeatedly --sometimes 10-12 times during the course of the storm to ensure its usability.
Norwottuck Rail Trail
Northampton to Amherst
Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of State Parks and Recreation
No report yet.