By Terry Gleason

This month, instead of the usual advocacy topic or two, we will begin a series of articles on an on-going road project of interest to many CRW riders. It will also be an examination of the 'process' that should help anyone committed to making bicycling accessible to more people in their community.

Willson Park Intersection Project, Bedford

The Town of Bedford is considering a major redo of its busiest, most complicated, and most dangerous intersection. It's near Town Center where State highways 62, 4, and 225 merge/split. "Willson Park" denotes the intersection as well as the small, historic green space there.

Google Map Street View of Willson Park

In an attempt to address all road users' concerns, the Town has posted a 1 page (5 minutes) survey and assembled a 10 person (Willson Park) advisory committee of residents with various perspectives and concerns.

A quick look at the CRW 'Routes' web page shows there are dozens of established CRW rides that route through this challenging intersection.

If you bike and/or drive through this intersection, please share your concerns, especially safety ones in the survey. If you have experienced 'close calls', report them with as much detail as possible.

The Willson Park Committee (10 people) includes Bike and Pedestrian Committee representatives, but the challenges for a safer intersection design are many. In an preliminary matrix of priorities filled in by each committee member, we see a preference for (increased) traffic flow over bicycle safety.

Next month, we will report on the impact of your survey comments (your participation is important!), discuss when and how to bring in help from State organizations, and review what criteria are now available to evaluate intersections vs the old standard of maximizing vehicles per hour.

CRW has invited Terry Gleason to contribute articles to WheelPeople from his perspective on cycling community advocacy. We hope that these articles will serve to educate CRW members on local, regional, and national issues that directly affect their safety and enjoyment of cycling.

Comments, suggestions, and alternate opinions are always welcomed. Click on “Add Comment” below to share your thoughts and get a public conversation going. Feel free to contact Terry directly via email (BedfordBike@gmail.com [include "CRW" in the Subject]) if you are an active bicyclist advocate and/or wish to do more in your community,