Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee - Jan 21st, 2026

Meeting held via remote participation. Materials were available from https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/38622/18.

Police Department Update

(Officer TJ Kelly, APD) Officer Kelly says that helmets are required for bike riders under the age of 16. The penalty for violation can include impoundment of the bicycle for up to 24 hours.

(Scott Smith, ABAC) Mr. Smith notes that the state law that allows e-bikes bans their use on sidewalks.

(TJ Kelly) Officer Kelly says that class 1 and class 2 e-bikes are allowed on the bike path. But it would be helpful if there were signage about e-bike rules.

(Scott Smith) Mr. Smith notes that there are a lot of other electric mobility devices being used on the bike path, which aren't bicycles.

(TJ Kelly) Officer Kelly says there've been issues with these devices on the path. The motorized unicycles, for example, where riders tend to wear full motorcycle safety gear. Those devices need to be used on the roadways. DPW has a sign shop that could be used to make signs. Uniform signage along the entire bikeway would be helpful. Signage at main entry points would be particularly beneficial.

(Matthieu Dean, Guest) Mr. Dean thinks that it would be reasonable to have speed limits on the bikeway, but a blanket ban on e-bikes is too broad.

(Christopher Tonkin, ABAC Chair) Mr. Tonkin says he's opened a conversation with town officials, on the proper way to set a speed limit on the bikeway.

(Jack Johnson, ABAC) Mr. Johnson recalls that we have a set of signs to be installed along the bikeway. The planning department is currently short-staffed, and that's holding up the installation.

(Steve Revilak, Guest) Mr. Revilak has a question about enforcement and a different courtesy issue. Massachusetts has a vulnerable road user law which requires drivers to leave four feet when passing a pedestrian or cyclist. Mr. Revilak says he's occasionally "buzzed" by motorists, who pass as close as a foot. He asks the committee members and Officer Kelly about what to do when a buzzing incident happens.

(TJ Kelly) Officer Kelly says this can be reported to the police department, though it's hard to enforce unless an officer is standing there to witness the violation. This is something APD can focus on as an agency. The department's reporting system records cyclists as vulnerable users.

(Len Greenberg, ABAC) Mr. Greenberg asks what kind of electric vehicles (other than e-bikes) should be allowed on the bike path.

(Steve Revilak) Mr. Revilak suggests that mobility scooters be allowed.

(Christoper Tonkin) Mr. Tonkin says that we have to allow mobility scooters, due to accessibility laws.

Transportation Advisory Committee Update

(Scott Smith) Mr. Smith says the school department has asked for a review of the safe routes to schools program for the elementary schools. He asks committee members to let him know if they're aware of any biking or walking issues for kids going to elementary schools.

(Anton Rapetov, ABAC) Mr. Rapetov knows of a problem area near the Hardy school. Drivers turning right from Brooks Ave onto Lake Street are often queued and try to make right turns after the light has turned red. He's seen a decent number of near misses.

(TJ Kelly) Officer Kelly says the police department can consider enforcement actions there.

(Anton Rapetov) Mr. Rapetov says there are a number of residential intersections with wide turning radii, and drivers tend to take those corners quickly. He wonders if something can be done to tighten up those intersections, so that drivers have to slow down.

Updates from Lexington and Bedford

(Christopher Tonkin) Mr. Tonkin says that Lexington is looking at adding bike parking minimums to their zoning bylaw, similar to what Arlington has.

2027 Bikeway Block Party

There won't be a bikeway block party in 2026. The organizers plan to hold the next one in 2027, and they're interested in including Cambridge and Somerville.

DCR Rotaries

No word on the progress of DCR's planned rotaries for the Mystic Valley Parkway. The ball is currently in Medford's hands, and they have nothing new to report.

Other Business

The committee is joined by Ed Blundell and Sarah Mather of the Arlington Tourism and Economic Development Committee (ATED). They're reactivating the visitor center next to the bikeway. A group from Lexington has offered to donate $7000 to the town to install a water bottle filling station along the bikeway in Arlington Center, but folks in Town Hall don't seem interested in taking up that offer. There is water on the site, so we'd just need someone from the legal department to accept the money, and someone from engineering to install the filling station. Mr. Blundell and Ms. Mather ask the committee if they'd be willing to send a letter of support to the Town Manager.

The committee votes in favor of sending a letter of support.

There is a filling station on the side of Greek Habits. It was installed at the expense of the space's prior tenant, but the new owners aren't interested in turning it on.

ATED is interested in organizing a bike rodeo in Arlington Center. Mr. Blundell asks if the committee would be interested in collaborating on the effort. Committee members express general support for the idea.

Mr. Rapetov reports that Sunrise Living Center installed fencing along their access to the bikeway. The fence doesn't block access, but it does make it more difficult to get through. He's researching to see whether there's an easement for access through the site.

Mr. Tonkin says he plans to collaborate with the Arlington Historical Society when planning the next Arlington bike tour. He'd like the tour to visit historical sites in town.

Meeting adjourned.