New trail to Ryerson is celebrated along with National Walk to School Day 

In the Summer of 2021, BPAC initiated an effort to bring together the Town, Schools, and Madison Land Trust to allow biking or walking to Ryerson and Brown Schools from Summer Hill Road.  A trail was identified from the Lenore Drive neighborhood off Summer Hill, through MLCT and Town owned land, to the schools.  Both the MLCT and Town were instrumental in clearing the trail for this purpose.

In October, Ryerson Elementary School celebrated the trail in conjunction with national Walk to School Day, hosting an event to bring the school community out to promote good health, school spirit, and safer routes for students to walk and bike to school.  

Meeting before school, over 50 second and third grade students joined their parents, teachers, principal, and Superintendent in walking the newly designated trail to Ryerson Elementary.  Rain cancelled the days designated for other grades, but the turnout and enjoyment spoke to the desire and support for safer routes to school for all students.  

Bike/Walk Master Plan

Madison BPAC’s primary charge from the BOS is to create a long-term Bike/Walk Master Plan for Madison.  Three Road Safety Audits (RSAs) have been conducted to help guide what bike/walk improvements should be included.  The first RSA focused on our shoreline roads in 2019, and a second RSA, centered on the Green Hill schools’ campus, was completed in 2020.  A third RSA covering route 1 from Hammonasset to Clinton was completed in 2021, and a fourth RSA is tentatively planned for Madison’s Downtown streets.

Community Crosswalk Guidelines Developed for the Town

At the Board of Selectmen’s request in the Fall of 2021, and with the Town’s Engineering input, BPAC developed a set of guidelines for the town to use in allowing Community Crosswalks. Community Crosswalks use paint to color and create patterns that are designed to highlight community spirit and bring artistic vibrancy to a pedestrian crossing.  

This effort was initiated by a request from the Madison Diversity and Inclusion Committee, who will apply for the first use of this option, currently awaiting approval by the BOS.

Honorable Mention awarded by the League of American Bicyclists To Madison for its first Bike Friendly Community Application.  

In June, 2020, Madison was among eight first-time applicants to earn an Honorable Mention from the League of American Bicyclists for their Bike Friendly Community application.  This was Madison’s first time applying and the feedback gave helpful input on how to make biking safer and more accessible in Madison.  

Madison BPAC Outreach

Shoreline Safety Signs Initiative

During the pandemic, BPAC’s safety signs were displayed for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers on our shoreline roads.

Social Media

From late spring into fall, BPAC created weekly posts for Facebook and Instagram. 

BPAC Website

Check out our website for more information about BPAC or to get in touch with us.
www.bikewalkmadisonct.org

In the Fall of 2021, the Board of Selectmen voted to upgrade BPAC from an ad-hoc to a permanent committee.   

Thank you for your interest in Madison BPAC!