Before I lived in Belmont, I lived in Somerville for two years. The Somerville Community Path was directly in the backyard of the house that I rented with a few of my friends fresh out of college. Directly abutting the Community Path was a wonderful experience. It provided easy access to Davis Square and other parts of the city by foot or bicycle, and it made my commute to work incredibly pleasant and safe. It is well-lit and shoveled in the winter. Walking along the path in the winter was something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. I only have positive things to say about that path. Thus, I strongly and vocally support the construction of Belmont’s own community path.
Lexington, Weston, and Arlington all have lovely paths going through their towns; and they are all greatly loved by surrounding residents. The Belmont Community Path will connect the Waltham Wayside Trail with the Fitchburg Cutoff Path. This will allow Belmont residents to easily and safely bike to Bedford, Weston, and even Boston without ever having to be on the road with cars. It will also be a vital link in the Mass Central Rail Trail, which will one day connect communities from Northampton to Boston.
On a personal note, I live very close to the proposed bike path, and I prefer to bike to work when the weather is nice. This path will make my commute significantly safer, and I’m sure that will be the case for many others as well, especially for the students at Belmont High School who currently have no easy way to cross the railroad tracks to get to their school from the north side of town.
Andrew DiBiasio, Flett Road