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Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning
Central Massachusetts is committed to bicycle and pedestrian mobility. As transportation costs and congestion increase, people look for cost effective, healthier and environmentally conscious methods of travel. Both walking and biking are growing as recognized daily transportation modes and it is important to develop safe and efficient facilities for use by pedestrians and bicyclists.
CMRPC serves as a forum for bicycle and pedestrian planning activites throughout the region. Staff partners with local organizations and groups to identify needs and support their bicycle and pedestrian planning efforts. Staff meets with WalkBike Worcester, a local advocate of bike and pedestrian planning, and with the public health community to address bicycle and pedestrian issues.
CMRPC completed its Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in 2011 and updated the document in 2018 as two seperate Regional Plans. The plan contains information on existing policies and facilities, and proposes an action plan on how to implement future accomodations to the region's roadways and trail network. It emphasizes the need to complete and connect long-distance trails and to improve walkability in Town Centers and commerical areas.
2021 CMMPO Regional Bicycle Compatibility Index (BCI)
IN 2018, the CMMPO released a Regional Bicycle Plan that proposed a series of routes between the CMRPC’s forty (40) communities to act as a multi-modal network. Derived from this plan, CMRPC staff have begun taking a closer look into the region’s road infrastructure and its ability to support bicycle accommodations. The BCI, formulated by the FHWA, provides a comfort level analysis of roadways in terms of its compatibility to easily integrate bicycle infrastructure, while also determining the perceived safety of bicyclists. The BCI is intended to support stakeholder decision making in prioritizing segments to build upon the region’s multi-modal network.
Regional Bicycle Plan & Regional Pedestrian Plan
The 2018 CMMPO Regional Bicycle Plan serves as an update to the 2011 Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan. In order to allow for a more thorough analysis, the two components of the former plan have been split for the current update. This decision was made to reflect MassDOT’s current efforts with the Statewide Bicycle Plan and the Statewide Pedestrian Plan. The 2018 Regional Bicycle Plan has seven major associated tasks: Existing Conditions/Data Collection, Analysis of Existing Conditions, Strategies/Facility Recommendations, Implementation/Benchmarking, Documentation, CMMPO Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Public Participation/Outreach.
CLICK HERE: Final CMMPO 2018 Regional Bicycle Plan
CLICK HERE: Final CMMPO 2018 Regional Bicycle Plan Maps
(Note that the final document is available for viewing/download via DropBox.)
The CMMPO Regional Bicycle Plan is intended to identify opportunities for encouraging and enhancing bicycle travel within the CMMPO region. The recommendations contained herein should be used as a guide for local jurisdictions in taking advantage of these opportunities. The intent of this plan is not to secure funding for every project, but to identify potential opportunities. The CMMPO Regional Bicycle Plan will serve as the bicycle component of the upcoming CMMPO Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).The goals of the Regional Bicycle Plan must be consistent with the goals of Mobility2040, the current LRTP, but also the LRTP that will begin development over the next year. Implementation of the recommendations of this plan will provide for a comprehensive bicycle transportation network that is focused on accessibility, mobility, and safety.
The 2018 CMMPO Regional Pedestrian Plan serves as an update to the 2011 Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan. In order to allow for a more thorough analysis, the two components of the former plan have been split for the current update. This decision was made to reflect MassDOT’s current efforts with the Statewide Bicycle Plan and the Statewide Pedestrian Plan. The 2018 Regional Pedestrian Plan has seven major associated tasks: Existing Conditions/Data Collection, Analysis of Existing Conditions, Strategies/Facility Recommendations, Implementation/Benchmarking, Documentation, CMMPO Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Public Participation/Outreach.
Final CMMPO 2018 Regional Pedestrian Plan
Final CMMPO 2018 Regional Pedestrian Plan Maps
(Note that the final document is available for viewing/download via DropBox.)
The CMMPO Regional Pedestrian Plan is intended to identify opportunities for encouraging and enhancing pedestrian travel within the CMMPO region. The recommendations contained herein should be used as a guide for local jurisdictions in taking advantage of these opportunities. The intent of this plan is not to secure funding for every project, but to identify potential opportunities. The CMMPO Regional Pedestrian Plan will serve as the pedestrian component of the upcoming CMMPO Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).The goals of the Regional Pedestrian Plan must be consistent with the goals of Mobility2040, the current LRTP, but also the LRTP that will begin development over the next year. Implementation of the recommendations of this plan will provide for a comprehensive pedestrian transportation network that is focused on accessibility, mobility, and safety.
Bikeshare Exploration in the CMRPC Region

Central Massachusetts Cycling Hub
In contribution to the 2021 Bay State Bike Month, CMRPC has developed a limited series blog and virtual campaign to promote and encourage cycling in the region. During the months of August and September, the Bike Blog will feature weekly content pertaining to all thinking bicycle.
The month of September the vrtual campaigns that encouraged bicyclsts to share their experiences with us as they ride in Central Massachusetts. These shared experiences will be featured in the weekly blog postings to inspire future riders.
In culmination of these projects, the CMRPC has created the Central Massachusetts Cycling Hub to be the center of activity during August and September.
Be sure to check in regularly to stay up to data on weekly postings, videos, and links, as well to submit your experiences!
Regional Count Program

Walkable Communities
Walkable Communities Workshops are held throughout the region and are 2-3 hour sessions for elected officials, interested citizens and community officials in the fields of planning, engineering, law enforcement and education. The workshops are an educational tool on how to make a community more pedestrian friendly and how to address walking and bicycling issues within the region.
In 2012, CMRPC Staff conducted Walkable Communities Workshops in the Towns of Shrewsbury and Southbridge.
Resources & Documents
Regional Trails