2 - Town of Colchester

Enhance Pedestrian and Bicycle Travel
The sidewalks in the Town Center add to the character and charm of Colchester and this network should be maintained
and expanded. Sidewalks should be extended throughout the Town Center and certain outlying areas (including
Westchester Village) in order to emphasize pedestrian scale, provide for transportation and recreation, help meet the
needs of the disabled, and enhance Colchester’s character. Rather than defining by a certain distance, the requirements
for sidewalk installation should be based on an overall map that designates desirable sidewalk areas (such as proposed in
this Plan). A detailed sidewalk inventory and Plan should be prepared to monitor sidewalk installation and maintenance.
Pedestrian trails should be considered in other areas of Colchester to provide alternative means of travel and exercise.
During the planning period, it will be desirable to evaluate the possibility of establishing trails on open space
“greenways” that exist (or will be established) in Colchester. Where such trails have been established, they have proven
to be very popular with residents and provide an important recreation and transportation amenity.
Bicycle Routes
The types of bicycle facilities
that may be appropriate in
Colchester include:
• shared roadway,
• wide curb lane,
• shoulder bikeway,
• bike lanes, or
• multi-use path.
Bikeways should also be established throughout the Town Center and certain outlying areas for transportation and
recreation. A bikeway inventory and Plan should be prepared to guide bikeway installation and maintenance. It is the
aim of this Plan to encourage safe, convenient, comfortable, and secure bicycle-riding environments and encourage
bicycle transportation as an important transportation mode and recreation activity.
Each and every time road improvement work is undertaken or a new road is built, bicycle use and needs should be
considered and the suitable type of bicycle facility (as indicated in the sidebar) provided, where appropriate, in order to
create a series of interconnected bicycle routes in the community. Priority consideration should be given to establishing
bike trails along roads which connect higher density residential areas with centers of local activity (business areas,
schools, parks, etc.).
Better signage and marking of bicycle routes is another important step towards reducing conflicts and encouraging more
bicycle use throughout Colchester. In addition, greenways can provide another alternative for bicycle use and
interconnect different parts of town. The eventual development of a system of bicycle routes appropriately designed,
signed and marked to ensure the safety and enjoyment of Colchester residents will be facilitated by the preparation of an
overall concept plan as soon as possible.
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