Council backs Safe Streets plan, refers e-bike sidewalk ban to committee

The Chicopee City Council on June 2 voted to endorse the Chicopee Safe Streets 4 All Safety Action Plan, aligning the city with Vision Zero principles and opening eligibility for state Department of Transportation funding.

Councilor Mary Elizabeth Pniak-Costello, who moved the order, emphasized long-standing local work on street safety. Patrick Collins advised the council that the plan would make certain streets eligible for DOT funding and that a draft is available on the Planning Department website. Lisa Bienvenue, speaking during public input, said she was "thrilled" to see the Safe Streets plan and urged council endorsement.

Separately, the council considered an ordinance (item 17) to prohibit most forms of non-human powered transportation on sidewalks and to set a $100 fine for violations. Councilor Courchesne successfully amended the draft to exempt mobility devices protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and to allow brief sidewalk use in exigent circumstances; Councilor Avery noted state-level safety conversations and the role of Vision Zero. The amended ordinance was referred to the Ordinance Committee for further drafting and review.

Councilors asked that program materials and draft documents be made available to the public; Councilor Pniak-Costello requested a hard-copy explanation or a link for residents. The endorsement (MO-12) and the referral on the e-bike ordinance passed without objection. The council did not adopt the ordinance on first reading; it will return to committee for refinement and public review.