Dec. 29, 2022

To the Editor:

The Selectmen are being short sighted in cancelling the Wareham Bike Path. Wareham already has the money in its Community Preservation Act funds to pay for it. This path would connect residents to the new park and marina, Wareham stores and the Wareham Commuter Rail train station. It will go to the new Wareham Middle School. It SHOULD continue to Onset Avenue, the beach, the new bandstand, and shops including the new Onset Bay Center, and continue along to the new bike path on Cranberry Highway, right to the Buzzards Bay Commuter Rail station and the new waterpark and Cape Cod Canal! All these noted places are projects the state, town, CPA and the feds have put millions of dollars on. This would make them more accessible and give an incentive to people who are afraid of biking because the roads and sidewalks are dangerous, not well lit and not accessible.

Bike paths are hugely successful as connectors for neighborhoods, increase access to safe and free exercise opportunities and are huge tourist draws. They are great for all ages and all residents can use it daily. Examples of this are all already all over the Cape and major cities in Massachusetts and across the country. This would be a huge investment in Wareham with little future costs because the project can (and should) be completely funded with CPA money.

The Feds and state also offer funds and other incentives for bike path projects. The street and sidewalks along Minot and Onset Could be priority projects.

Right now few benefit when CPA money is used to buy private waterfront property (that is already non-buildable because of flooding and environmental laws), the town loses vital tax income, and few residents can access the land. The bike path offers a benefit for all - residents, business, access to public transit and a free, safe and healthy way to get around town.

Theresa ONeill

West Central Avenue, Wareham