As construction on the new Veteran's Memorial Bridge over the Taunton River wraps up, a hearing to consider a proposed route for bicycles was held by the Fall River Planning Board on August 23, 2011. Brian Pearson, Chairman of the Fall River Bicycle Committee, spoke before the Board to offer some suggestions for improvements to the proposed route in order to increase bicycling and walking Fall River. He suggested that the new route, to be dedicated to the memory of Private Michael Bouthot, be extended to Lindsey Street rather than the narrower Wellington Street and that the route be clearly marked with signage. He also pointed out that, though the proposed route ends at the boardwalk in Bicentennial Park, the boardwalk itself is off limits to bicycles. He suggested that the Bicycle Committee work with the Planning Board to come up with an alternative route that would connect with a proposed bicycle route along the Quequechan River. Bicycle Committee member Jim Hornsby also submitted testimony. Click here for the Herald News article. Click here for a video of the description of the proposed route. Click here for photos from the Bikeway Summit, here for photos of a bike ride planning committee, here for a recent ride to UMass, and here for the Quequechan River route planning meeting.  For more information, contact Fall River Mass In Motion coordinator Julianne Kelly, at 508-324-2405 or Fall River Bicycle Committee Chairman Brian Pearson.

(Top row) Brian Pearson, Chairman of the Fall River Bicycle Committee, reads a letter addressed to the Planning Board outlining a number of recommendations for improvements to the proposed route. (Middle row) City Planner James Hartnett displays a map of the proposed route before the Planning Board members vote to adopt the new route while Fall River Government Television videographer Phil Sabatino tapes the meeting.. (Third row, left) Mass In Motion Coordinator Julianne Kelly hands out information about bicycling in Fall River to Rick Schwartz as Brian Pearson looks on. (Third row, center and right) Brian and Rick point out the route to Fall River Herald News reporter Michael Holtzman as Jim Hornsby looks on. (Bottom row) The bicycle lane runs parallel to Route 79 North before ending at the western end of Wellington Street where the route would continue on city streets starting with Fulton Street..