Burlington Bike Path Task Force

The Burlington Bike Path Task Force was established by a City Council resolution in October 2010 to look at how to make comprehensive upgrades to Burlington's Waterfront Bike Path as well as the rest of the city's path network.  The Task Force is charged with recommending improvements to be made and recommending a financing mechanism to fund the work.  The City Council asked for a report back by October 2011.

Some Burlington Bike Path Task Force materials can be found below -- the official site of the Burlington Bike Path Task Force can be found on the Burlington Parks & Recreation's website.

For any additional information, please contact Parks & Recreation Director Mari Steinbach (802-864-0123) or Local Motion Executive Director Chapin Spencer (802-861-2700).  We'd welcome your involvement!

 

PUBLIC FORUM: MARCH 14, 2012 @ 5:30pm

Review the Power Point presentation here

Review the 2-page fact sheet here

 

BIKE PATH IMPROVEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY -- RELEASED FEB 2012
Read the Study's Executive Summary here

 

MEETING #4: JUNE 27, 2011 @ 7:30am
Burlington Dept of Parks & Recreation

 

MEETING #3: JANUARY 11, 2011
At Parks & Recreation Offices, 645 Pine Street
Meeting Notes
Meeting AgendaResults of Online Bike Path Survey

 

MEETING #2: DECEMBER 7, 2010
At Miller Recreation Center, 130 Gosse Court
Notes from the Public ForumMeeting AgendaPress Release

 

MEETING #1: NOVEMBER 5, 2010
At ECHO, 1 College Street
Meeting AgendaDraft Meeting Notes

 

BACKGROUND MATERIALS
Members of the Task ForceCity Council Resolution Establishing Task Force2002 Bike Path Improvement Feasibility Study2005 Island Line Sign & Amenity Plan2010 Report "Estimating Tourism Expenditures on the Burl. Bike Path"  

Bike Path Attracts People & Dollars

A 2010 report confirmed our hunch – that the Burlington Bike Path & Colchester Causeway attract lots of visitors and money to the region.

Using CCMPO automated trail counts, a 2008 Local Motion survey of path users, and VT tourism data, the UVM Transportation Research Center report found:

• 30% to 50% of path users are visitors from outside Chittenden County
• The path welcomes over 100,000 users between May and September (800 people/day on average)
• Path visitors cumulatively spend $4.5 million annually during their days on the trail (lodging, food, rentals, etc.)
• Each day the Causeway Bike Ferry operates, non-local ferry passengers spend $13,700 in our region.
• During weekdays, about 22% of path users are using the path to get to work, school, stores, etc.

The report includes additional information including percentage of path users walking, biking, running, and inline skating and the percentage of cyclists wearing helmets.  The report is still being laid out for publication.  Download the report here.  For more info, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thank you to the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization, the UVM Transportation Research Center, the City of Burlington, the Town of Colchester and the 30 Local Motion volunteers who conducted the 2008 survey (especially survey coordinator and former LM Board Member Don Thomas).

The City also completed a trail survey in 1992.

 

Champlain Islands Trail Report

In February 2005, Islands stakeholders completed the Champlain Islands Trail Report to evaluate on- and off-road options in Grand Isle County, between the existing Island Line Trail to the south and Quebec's Route Verte to the north. The Rutland Railroad's abandoned Island Line corridor was a major focus of that report. The corridor is mostly in private ownership, the report's recommendations and conclusions are a result of extensive outreach to landowners. The study was managed by the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce and overseen by the Island Line Steering Committee. Download the current version of the report below. For info, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Click a link below to download one of two versions of the report:

Champlain Islands Trail Report - 2005 (6 MB)

 

Lake Champlain Bikeway / Island Line Improvement Plan

In 2009, the Island Line Steering Committee completed and presented to County towns a new study based upon the opportunities and constraints identified in their previous report. Unfortunately, only a few sections of the Island Line were identified as having the potential for development as a rail-trail in the near term. As a result, the Lake Champlain Bikeway / Island Line Improvement Plan focused on improvements to the existing route through the Islands, the Lake Champlain Bikeway - specifically, the development of bicycle rest areas that would not only provide users with opportunities to stop and enjoy the lake and the spectacular views, but would also encourage riders to patronize local businesses, farm stands, and enjoy the area's natural attractions. In cooperation with the towns, the committee will also continue to pursue future opportunities to develop the railbed as they arise.  To view the report, click on the link below.

Lake Champlain Bikeway / Island Line Improvement Plan - 2009 (4 MB)

 

South Street Improvements in South Hero

A two-year planning process completed in 2004 determined that 3-foot shoulders should be added to South Street in order to make it safe for bicyclists and pedestrians. South Street is the connection between the causeway and the village center. The voters approved the local match for a scaled down project in 2009.  The revised design will have the section of South Street between Martin Road and Landon Road rebuilt with two foot shoulders. For more info, contact South Hero Administrative Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

South Hero Village to Allen Point Access Linkage Feasibility and Alignment Study - June 2004

The Feasibility and Alignment study for South Street is available to download. Right Click or Control Click a link below to download the full report or text only.

Text Only (3.09 MB)

Full Report (19.2 MB)

 

Causeway Bike Ferry Development

Local Motion continues development work on the Colchester/South Hero Causeway Bike Ferry. A federal earmark secured by Senator Sanders and a state transportation enhancement grant is funding the planning and engineering for the improvements needed to expand service. Local Motion has hired consultant Lamoureux & Dickinson to serve as the project manager. They will guide this project through the design, permitting and construction stages. Local Motion hopes to expand this popular but limited ferry service throughout the season.   For more info, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  

Island Line Sign & Amenity Plan (2005)

To help tie individual path sections together into a regional trail, stakeholders contracted with Landworks to develop a comprehensive sign and amenity plan for the trail. Products from this study include a trail logo, design of a comprehensive sign system, and identification of needed amenities (water fountains, parking, bathrooms, etc) along the trail. As this trail becomes more popular, clear signage and well-placed amenities will ensure the trail offers a safe and enjoyable experience to the growing number of trail users. For info, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Click the link below to download the plan:

Island Line Sign & Amenity Plan (10.2 MB)

 

Forum on Bike Path Task Force's Rehab Plans

Give the Task Force your feedback on the consultant's Bike Path Improvement Feasibility Study.  Read 2-page fact sheet here. See meeting presentation here.

Local Motion helped launch this planning process in late 2010 to ensure this beloved but aging trail continues to be a vital community asset and regional attraction.

Burlington Bike Path Feasibility Study Public Forum
March 14th, 5:30pm to 7pm
Contois Auditorium, City Hall, BTV

The volunteer Bike Path Task Force will solicit public input on the feasibility study and then include your feedback into its presentation to the City Council this spring.

Funding Update: The Task Force is discussing how to fund the $12-17M worth of bike path and shoreline stabilization improvements.  Various funding sources (including federal, state and private) will be necessary, but significant local funding will be needed.  The Task Force will be recommending a local ballot item for November 2012.

Didn't make the meeting? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Download the study's Executive Summary here.

 

Burlington Bike Path Improvement Study (2002)

The City of Burlington is proposing substantial upgrades to its popular and often congested waterfront bike path. Improvements include trail widening in high-use areas, removing safety hazards, and providing gravel shoulders for joggers when feasible. Sections of the Burlington path are now 25 years old. Download the report here or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Burlington's Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator. The City is now working to secure funding for the improvements.

 

Champlain Path Feasibility Study

In 2003, stakeholders completed a plan for extending the trail south to South Burlington, Shelburne, and Charlotte. Much of the proposed path alignment parallels the active rail line – a "rail-with-trail" approach. The estimated project cost for the entire 13-mile stretch was $6 million. For a copy of the report, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization.