The Minuteman Commuter Bikeway extends from just north of Alewife Red Line MTBA station in Cambridge through Arlington, Lexington, and Bedford. Its length is nearly 10 miles, of which 0.1 are in Cambridge, 3.3 are in Arlington, 5.2 are in Lexington, and 1.1 are in Bedford. It was the 500th of the rails-to-trails conversions in the United States. Within its first year it was reportedly the busiest of these trails. It serves as a successful prototype for other efforts in Massachusetts to provide additional trails.
The initial dedication was October 3, 1992 for the Arlington portion. The Lexington portion was dedicated May 30, 1993. It was named the Jack Eddison Memorial Bikeway. Although officially completed on November 20, 1993 when the Bedford portion was dedicated, parts of the Bikeway were used since the spring of 1992. This Bikeway has brought change to Lexington by offering an alternative form of transit. See the briefing on Commuting on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway by Tom Fortmann.
The name includes:
A map of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway is available from the Lexington Visitor's Center.
The Friends of Bedford Depot Park is "Honoring and Preserving Our Local Railroad History in Bedford, Massachusetts, and Surrounding Communities". Therein is much history, with photos.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy provided experience and support for the development of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, and continues to advocate help plan, and secure funding for additional trails.
The "Masshighway is Building Better Bicycling" information page indicates that MassHighway funded the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway with $2,148,000 and the Alewife Extension for $250,000. It has a crude map of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway and points to a more detailed screen version in pdf format.
The Community Path is Proposal for a new bike path from the current Davis Square extension from the Minuteman (that joins it just north of the underpass under Rt 2) to Lechmere. It has support from Somerville government.
The Minuteman Bikeway to Minuteman Historical Park Connection proposal made in 1997 describes a desired extension west of Route 128 south to Wood Street near the Park.
The Al Lester Memorial Bench is a special place to pause at the entrance to Parker Meadow, 100 yards south of the Revere Street crossing. Al Lester has remained an important witness, as articulated by his parents, Virginia and George Lester, who regularly speak to students about drunk driving. They received the National Commission Agains Drunk Driving Citizen Activist Award for 2000 (See the tenth award of eleven there).
A unique Wedding of Solo to Tandem Bicyclists occurred at the Al Lester memorial, at the entrance to Parker Meadow 0.2 miles east of Revere St.
A significant Proposal on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway has occurred between inline skaters.
Return to Lexington bicycle routes.
Return to Bicycling in Lexington