Transportation Planning

Franklin County Bikeway

project pic

Riverside Greenway in Greenfield

Project Overview

Planning for a Franklin County Bikeway began over twenty years ago when a local group, called the Franklin County Bikeway Committee, began identifying ways to get around the region without cars.  Comprised of local elected official, planners, business people and citizens, the group originally formed in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s.  However, it quickly became apparent that Franklin County had much more to offer in terms of bicycling for transportation:  scenic, low traffic country roads; generally flat terrain in the central portion of the county; and numerous employment, educational, and recreational destinations that are close enough to reach by bike.  Changes in federal transportation funding in the early 1990s made it possible for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments to take the early vision of the Bikeway Committee and lead building it.

Current Activities

The Franklin County Bikeway totals approximately 44 miles in length, and primarily consists of a loop through Greenfield, Deerfield, Montague and Gill, with a spur north to the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center and downtown Northfield, and two southern spurs: one to the Town of Sunderland and one through Leverett Center to Hampshire County. The Bikeway network consists of several “off-road” bikepaths that provide connections suitable for all levels of riders.  In addition, most of the network consists of “on-road” or “shared roadway” sections that make use of predominantly low traffic roads.  These sections may be suitable for all levels of riders in some areas, but some portions are best used by experienced cyclists due to higher traffic volumes and vehicle speeds.

Construction of the central core of the Bikeway was completed in phases with the off-roads paths being built first.  The 1-mile segment in Greenfield known as the Riverside Greenway was completed in 2004.  This section runs along the Green River from Riverside Drive to Nash’s Mill Road and connects a residential area of town with the Greenfield swimming area.  In 2008, work was completed on the Canalside Trail, a 4-mile off-road path in the towns of Montague and Deerfield which connects Turners Falls with Deerfield.  This segment includes a rehabilitated railroad bridge that provides magnificent views of the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers.  Franklin County Bikeway logo signs have been installed on the shared roadway segments of the Bikeway. These segments connect the off-road paths to each other and provide continuous routes to Northfield, Amherst, and Sunderland.

During 2008 and 2009, an Update to the Franklin County Bikeway was prepared. This update identified bicycling connections in the eastern and western portions of Franklin County, and rated the routes for different levels of riders. Due to the more hilly terrain in east and west county, some routes are very challenging and best suited for experienced cyclists. The 2009 Franklin County Bikeway Plan Update is available. As part of the Update, several bikeway maps for the county were also developed. They can be viewed by clicking the appropriate link below:

If you have any questions or would like to offer comments onthe Plan Update or maps, please Elizabeth Giannini by email or at (413) 774-1194 ext. 104.

Future Plans

The Franklin Regional Council of Governments has begun working with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the States of Vermont and New Hampshire to identify routes and connections for a Tri-State Bikeway. This Bikeway would connect in Franklin County in the Northfield area. In addition, cooperative planning with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission that represents Hampshire and Hampden Counties, continues to explore inter-regional bicycle connections. An important goal is to implement ways to access the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hampshire County.

This page was last updated on 08/03/2010 .

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