Roger, 
Here are somelinks that contain relevant information on multi-use paths: 
http://www.brucefreemanrailtrail.org/pdf/LA-Metro-Bike-paths-safety-property-values.pdf 
http://www.wright.edu/~jeffrey.hiles/essays/listening/ 
David F. Clinnin

Hi Dave, 
Thanks for the great letters and Links. I've posted them and I know your neighbors will be better informed because of them. 
I just want to take this opportunity to express my views. My concern is the possibility of the present road on Chappy being ruined by the necessary tree cutting, brush clearing and grading that would occur if a path were put along the Chappaquiddick Road. This would be a year round devastation to address a two to three month "problem". The proposal by the Chappquiddick Path Committee at this point is solely to "Survey" the Chappaquiddick Road, to determine a conventional path (Similar to W. Tisbury Road, Oak Bluffs County Road, Katama and Herring creek road and the V. Haven Road.) along the road, set off by some sort of separation. No other proposal has been publicly debated. Certainly we could debate the issue with the presently available Survey from 1996. For example, a path along Litchfield rd. which could relieve the Chappaquiddick Rd. by allowing some bikers and hikers to take the shortest route to Wasque and providing those along that road to path upon which to bike even while the Litchfield road continues to be ignored by the Highway Dept. 
Too, there is the route via Hotel Ave. to Narragansett to Indian Trail road which if maintained could be a mutiuse trail, away from traffic. 
These and any other alternatives are ignored by the CPC "Survey of Chappaquiddick Rd." 
A careful reading of the Letter from Highway Dept shows little support for an unpaved path. As you know too well the Highway dept has much trouble keeping up with the wash boarding of the various unpaved roads in town with various excuses about it being too dry or too wet to grade. As evidence of this lack of maintinance, look to the 3rd lane for ferry waiting made by moving telephone poles and "hardening" the shoulder (at my request to avoid a three lane paved area down there (again to address a two month problem)). This shoulder remains an eyesore, doesn't get the line off the road and presently, there is a fresh water pond in the road for days after the slightest rainfall, the gravel sprayed helter-skelter over the paved portion of the roadway. My guess is that Mr Fuller, Highway Superintendent, will advocate paving as it is just too hard to maintain it otherwise. 
Anyway, thanks again for your input and I hope you have a Happy New Year. 
Yours, Roger. 

Roger, Happy New Year to you and your family too! The asymmetry of the "problem" existing only 2-3 months of the year is intriguing and inescapable. MV is a destination and a resort - with the beauty and benefits come the warts. The best solution would be a path that disappears each Fall without a trace and reappears on June 30th like the roll up paths the trustees put down over the dunes. Sadly, that solution would not work for a bike path. On the location of the path, happily most of the bikers don't seem to want to go to Wasque. Dyke Bridge is their predominant destination. As well, the passage from Chappaquiddick/Dyke Road is much straighter than Chappy Landing to Dyke Road and perhaps presents less potential for accidents. There is not currently a proposal to develop Wasque Road, as I understand things. On Litchfield Road - unmatched for a stroll or jog, and Susie and I walk almost every morning to town. This is among our greatest Chappy pleasures. But the road is virtually unbikable in many spots. I'd be interested in a non-paved path for bikes if it could be maintained better than the road has been maintained. What did you think of the brush clearing across from the Community Center including and adjacent to the new cemetery? Enjoy the Winter - see you next Spring. Dave and Sue Clinnin

Dave, The clearing Bill Brine has done reminds me of Boston Commons, Central Park in New York and Forest Park in St. Louis, except for the stunted growth of trees the winds of Chappaquiddick provide. It is nice to have a little openness along the road. I loathe to see the day it might become a parking lot/drive and chainlinked tennis court (once again for a 2-3 month "problem") . As for the rest of the 14 acres, I hope Bill can find a way to refrain from developing it. As for the cemetery, well, they are always fun at Halloween. 
Roger