DAVID A. TYLER
5396 Rice Road
Trumansburg, New York 14886
November 5, 2008
Edgartown Board of Selectmen
P.O. Box 5158
Edgartown, MA 02539

RE:	Chappaquiddick Bike Path

Dear Board:

I have been a summer resident of Chappaquiddick since the late 1960=s, and our family has owned our home at 4 North Neck Road for over twenty years.  I am writing in opposition to the subject bike path based on long experience personally with both automobiles and bicycles on the Chappaquiddick Road.  I and members of our family have used the road for automobile travel, bike travel, walking and running over many years.  I recognize that there is a vocal minority that has requested the building of a bike path on Chappy.

From my observations as recently as this past summer, there appears no reason why the automobile, pedestrian and bicycle users cannot peacefully coexist on the road as they have in the past.  The 25 mph speed limit ensures that the speed of bicycles and automobiles can navigate the same piece of pavement harmoniously at the same time.

The only problem I have experienced, most recently this summer, was a group of bicyclists (4 in number) who were riding two abreast and were reluctant to get into single file when a gentle toot of the horn was made behind them.  Obviously, the two abreast mode would be even more of a problem on a dedicated bike trail, where for instance an oncoming bicycle traveling perhaps at high speed came around a corner to find the trail blocked in its full width by oncoming bicycle riders.

Our family has had no problems as cyclists (me, my wife and two young children in years past) going from North Neck Road to Wasque or East Beach.  In short, the continued harmonious coexistence of  automobiles and bicycles on the Chappaquiddick Road can be easily ensured by a sign at the Ferry Point  where bicycles come off the Ferry, reiterating the rules of biking, like traveling single file and staying on the right hand side of the road, etc.  Something also reminding people that these rules and the speed limits for cars are enforced on a regular basis might also help, and strict enforcement of these rules would be necessary, hopefully, only occasionally. 

I understand that those with professional expertise in this area have also presented you with many good reasons why the bike path is not necessary but rather counterproductive.  It seems we have more of a solution here in search of a problem, rather than the converse of that statement.

In terms of safety, environmental impact, and preservation of the rural and natural character of  Chappaquiddick, not to mention the fiscal burdens of building a bike path, with I assume would involve not insignificant Eminent Domain and construction costs.   This should be a relatively easy decision for your Board.

Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,

David A. Tyler