The Cape Cod shore of Buzzards Bay is on its way to connecting Woods Hole to Sandwich through a continuous bike path.

The Friends of the Bourne Rail Trail, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing a multi-use pathway to the Town of Bourne and longtime team in our Watershed Ride, is dedicated to filling the 6.5 mile “gap” between the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway and the Shining Sea Bikeway, connecting the towns of Sandwich, Bourne, and Falmouth, and creating 24 miles of uninterrupted multi-use pathway on the Upper Cape. Since the establishment of the Friends in 2016, there has been tremendous support for the project from local residents, elected officials, and regional planning and transit authorities.

The Friends have long promoted the construction of a “rail-to-trail” pathway, removing the remains of the Bourne/Falmouth line and placing a path in its stead. Recently, the Town of Falmouth, long a supporter of a “rail-with-trail” approach, has pivoted and supported the group’s plan. If Commonwealth officials concur, the development of the project will be accelerated by decades at a significantly reduced cost.

What can you do?

If you are a Massachusetts voter who vacations, lives, or works in the area or who just wants to see the development of bike paths throughout the Commonwealth to minimize automobile traffic, write to the Healey Administration to express your support for the trail. Go to the Friends of the Bourne Rail Trail website for guidance on how to call or email the Governor.

A view of Monks Cove, where tracks are a potential candidate for Rail Trail conversion.