From: VKSpiro
To: krose@edgartown-ma.us
Sent: 8/6/2009 4:34:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Proposed Chappaquiddick Bike Path
To the Board of Selectmen: 
It is my understanding that a group of Chappaquiddick residents who have incorrectly identified themselves as a "majority" have asked the Selectmen to establish 
a committee to design and seek funding for a bike path on Chappaquiddick. It is also my understanding that the Board of Selectmen is considering the creation of such a committee, 
comprised of three members from Edgartown and four from Chappaquiddick. 
As a long time summer resident and Edgartown taxpayer, I would like to voice my strong opposition to both the creation of such a committee, and to the construction of a bike path on Chappaquiddick. There is no evidence to support the contention of a few that "most" Chappaquiddick residents want a bike path. 
In forging ahead with this project, regardless of the wishes of many Chappaquiddick residents, the Selectmen will be engaging in "taxation without representation." By allowing a hand picked, 
exclusive committe to determine whether a bike path is built, they will be violating the democratic principles which made their election possible. In pushing for the creation of a committee and bike path without bothering to determine ( in a manner which is statistically sound) what Chappaquiddick's really residents want, the Selectmen will also appear to be pandering to the interests of those who stand to benefit commercially from such an ill advised "public works" project. 
I hope you will consider the following questions/ points before advocating, let alone funding, such a project. 
Sincerely, 
Vivian K. Spiro 
21 Old Pocha Road, Chappaquiddick 
1. How many Chappaquiddick property owners stand to benefit, year round, from the construction of a bike path? What demographic data is there to support the contention that "a majority" of Chappaquiddick tax payers would make use of such a path, or favor paying for its construction for use by others? Would the projected year round use justify the expense? 
2. It appears that it will be necessary to re-direct/widen/alter the main road in some places, in order to make room for the bike path. Since the responsibility for/ expense of maintaining ( let alone changing) the road would not fall to the bike path enthusiasts, how do they propose to achieve these changes? How much will these changes cost? What types of surveys will need to be done before alterations of the roadway can be made? If moving the road even a few feet means that private land will have to be taken by eminent domain, who will compensate property owners on what basis? 
3. In view of many recent studies showing the importance of wetlands --as a flood deterrent, water filter, 
habitat for numerous, niche specific plants and animals-- how can the invasion/alteration of any wetlands on a small , fragile island be justified? 
4. Has anyone given any thought to the extent to which thousands of transients, on bikes, could increase the probability of crimes (theft, vandalism and sexual assaults, to name a few) and accidental fires on Chappy? 
5. If a path is built, who will be responsible for cleaning, inspecting. maintaining, re-constructing, and patrolling it ? If a person is injured or assaulted, or has some unfortunate medical "episode" while using the path, who will be available to help? Who will liable, if there is a suit? 
6. What evidence is there that a "mixed use" bike path will keep cyclists off the road? If the bike path abutting the road from Edgartown to West Tisbury is any indicator of how such paths are used, walkers, people pushing strollers, children on bikes with training wheels and joggers may use it, but serious cyclists-- especially those who strive for maximum speed--continue to ride on the road.