Minuteman Bikeway facts for kids
The Minuteman Bikeway is a 10-mile (16-kilometer) paved path in the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts. It's a "rail trail", which means it used to be a railroad track! This path is great for many activities.
The bikeway starts in Bedford and goes all the way to Alewife station in Cambridge. Along the way, it passes through Lexington and Arlington. You can see cool places like Spy Pond and the famous Lexington Battle Green from the path.
At its Cambridge end, the bikeway connects to other paths. These include the Fitchburg Cutoff Path and the Cambridge Linear Park. These paths can lead you to the Somerville Community Path and even to the Mystic River bike path. There's also a path to Fresh Pond Reservation.
At the Bedford end, the Minuteman Bikeway connects with the Narrow Gauge Rail Trail and the Reformatory Branch Rail Trail.
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How the Bikeway Started
The Minuteman Bikeway has a long and interesting history. The path follows a route very similar to the one Paul Revere took on his famous ride in 1775. That ride helped start the American Revolution.
Before it became a bikeway, this path was used by railroads. The first railroad tracks were laid east of Lexington in 1846. More tracks were added west of Lexington in 1873.
People started talking about turning the old railroad line into a trail in 1974. The trains stopped running completely in 1981. In 1991, the plan to build the bikeway was finally approved.
The first part of the bikeway, from Arlington to Lexington, opened in September 1992. The section from Lexington to Bedford opened a bit later, in May 1993. In 1998, the bikeway was made even longer, reaching Alewife station in Cambridge.
The path was repaved in Arlington in 2002. In 2008, the Minuteman Bikeway was honored by being added to the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. This shows how important and well-loved it is!
The land for the bikeway is owned by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). They lease it to the towns it passes through.
What People Do on the Bikeway
Many people in the area use the Minuteman Bikeway for different activities. The main use is for casual biking. It's a great place to ride your bike for fun or to get around.
People also enjoy walking, jogging, and inline skating on the path. In the winter, if there's enough snow, you might even see people cross-country skiing. The bikeway is now plowed in the winter, so it's often clear for use.
Only wheelchairs and emergency vehicles are allowed to use motors on the path. Other motorized vehicles are not permitted.
Future Plans for the Bikeway
There are exciting plans to make the Minuteman Bikeway even better and more connected.
One idea is to connect the bikeway from Lexington to the Battle Road Trail. Another plan is to link it to the Charles River bike path. This would happen through Fresh Pond Reservation and an old railroad line.
In 2014, officials announced a big plan. The Somerville Community Path will be extended. This extension will create a continuous 4.5-mile route. It will connect the Minuteman Bikeway all the way to Boston’s Charles River Bike Path. This means you could ride your bike from Bedford almost to downtown Boston!
Gallery of Views Along the Bikeway
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Bedford Depot Park, with an old train car
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In Bedford, near Wiggins Avenue
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Lexington Depot
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Spy Pond, Arlington
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Snow on the path, Arlington
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In Cambridge, near Alewife station and the junction with the Fitchburg Cutoff Path
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Bike parking at Alewife station
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Connector to Cambridge Linear Park
Images for kids
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At Lake Street Intersection, Arlington
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At Uncle Sam Plaza
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Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum, Arlington MA
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At Arlington Center
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