Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation And Placemaking topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDC members pitch a 'non-rail trail' and bike racks to boost downtown visits
Summary
Committee members discussed creating a mapped "non-rail trail" loop through Pembroke, installing bike racks in the village and pursuing grants or sponsor donations; members noted prior studies, state land-permission requirements and possible volunteer projects like Eagle Scout inventories.
Committee members discussed a proposal to create a mapped "non-rail trail" through Pembroke to guide cyclists to local businesses and parks, and they explored options for placing bike racks and small amenities to make downtown more welcoming.
Members suggested signage directing riders from rail-trail access points through Pembroke to Pembroke Pines, Memorial Field and conservation areas, and recommended a focused inventory of candidate locations. The group reviewed prior conversations about a bike-rack installation near a downtown parking lot and discussed costs: participants mentioned single-rack prices in the low hundreds and grouped commercial racks costing several hundred dollars plus a concrete pad and anchor hardware.
Speaker 1 noted some potential legal constraints: portions of the preferred strip of land are state-owned and would require state permission before mounting a rack. Speakers suggested pursuing grants (including UNH Cooperative Extension support) and local sponsorship or donated racks; members flagged Eagle Scout projects and Pembroke Academy volunteer work as low-cost implementation paths.
Committee members asked staff to revisit the earlier bike-rack recommendation, scope grant opportunities and talk with regional planning and public-works contacts about permissions and siting. The group did not adopt a formal funding commitment at the meeting but expressed support for pilot placements and further research.
Next steps: compile cost estimates and candidate sites, contact regional planning and UNH Cooperative Extension for technical assistance, and explore sponsor or grant funding to install pilot racks.
