Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Committee

As of July 1, drivers are required to provide 4' of clearance when passing a vulnerable user. Vulnerable users are just about everyone not operating a motor vehicle: people walking, biking, and rolling; road workers, and equestrians.

A driver passing a vulnerable user must exercise due care, which includes reducing speed and increasing clearance to a distance of at least four feet. If a driver cannot pass with clearance of at least four feet, then they must wait to pass (23 V.S.A. § 1033).

Drivers can cross the center of the highway as necessary to make a pass when the left side of the roadway is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic, including other vulnerable users. Drivers should not pass when approaching or on a crest or curve, or when approaching or at an intersection or railroad crossing, or when the view is obstructed upon approaching a bridge or tunnel (23 V.S.A. § 1035).

Read the Full Article on the Local Motion website

On Saturday, July 27^th the Jericho Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee held a workday to rebuild the Wellness Path around the Jericho Elementary School (JES). With the help of committee members and community volunteers, we were able to widen, grade, and resurface the entire trail. A huge thanks to all of the volunteers who came out as we would not have been able to do this without you!

Our hope is that this will provide a better recreation surface for all users in all conditions and keep a key community connection in top shape. The new gravel should reduce muddy spots during the spring and the added width should allow users to pass each other without having to leave the path. We encourage all users to get out and enjoy the path especially now while the gravel is fresh and needs lots of traffic to help it pack down and smooth out!

In addition to being a year-round asset for the students at the elementary school, the recreation path is a key community connection that links several neighborhoods together while allowing users to avoid busy roads. For those not familiar with the Wellness Path or the connections it offers we encourage you to view the town trail map and go explore! Connections from the JES Wellness Path include the Sunny View Dr and the Griswold St neighborhoods. From the Griswold neighborhood, users can access the Jericho Town Forest via the Ross Ln entrance where there are miles of wooded trails to experience. Additionally, once in the Town forest, there is easy access to the neighborhoods off Packard Rd via the Starbird Rd exit.

The "Trails" committee has a new name! In order to reflect a need in Jericho for additional support of bicycle and pedestrian policies outlined in the Town Plan the committee's name was changed to the Jericho Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Committee (approved by the Selectboard on February 1, 2024). The committee will continue its previous focus working on maintaining and promoting the trails throughout Jericho and will add bike and pedestrian safety and connectivity to its purview.

Below is the proposed update to the Mission Statement (approved by the committee members on 2/12/2024). This mission statement will be brought before the Selectboard for final approval sometime in March 2024.

The Jericho Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Committee (JBPCC) serves as an advisory committee to The Town of Jericho. JBPCC will maintain and create public trails and pathways, facilitate public outreach, education, and encourage non-motorized travel and recreation. JBPCC will advocate that these priorities be factored into development applications, town planning, policy, street design, and budgets. The committee works to support Jericho’s vision to expand residents’ alternatives to motorized transportation, ensuring that people with all abilities can travel and recreate safely through connected communities.

The Jericho Trails Committee would like to invite you to (re)discover local hiking trails that are open to the public, These are informal walks intended for you to recognize that these trails exist and can offer some nice peaceful hiking without having to drive too far or hike a mountain. Most hikes are non-strenuous. But, can incur some uphill and downhill slopes. Wear appropriate shoes (not sandals or open toe slides).

Wouldn't it be great to be able to travel throughout Jericho without having to get in a car? Being able to ride or walk trails safely with your family? Getting to neighbors, stores, and local activities without worry of traffic and busy roads?

The Jericho Trails Committee is hoping to recruit a few new members who are interested in promoting non-motorized travel and outdoor recreation in Jericho. We meet on the second Monday evening of every month and are looking for positive and thoughtful people who are excited to work with our neighbors to maintain and expand our local trail opportunities. If that sounds like you, please reply directly to Steve Schwartz (stevovt1@gmail.com), Or, any other JTC member with any ideas and questions you might have.

The Jericho Trails Committee will be walking from the Kikas Valley Trails to Barber Farm, starting at 5pm on June 23.

The Committee members are familiarizing themselves with the area and discussing potential for future connectivity opportunities.

Anyone from the public is welcome to join.

The meeting place is in the small labeled pull-off just before the first house on the left of Tyler Place.

Any questions can be addressed to jdabbott@uvm.edu.

The Jericho Trails Committee has developed a brochure that includes maps of our recreational trails in Town. It provides an overview of trail networks and indicates allowable uses for each. A big thanks to Eric Recchia for his help aggregating maps and providing layout and design. Brochures are available at the following locations:

• Jericho Country Store
• Jericho Cafe & Tavern
• Jericho Market
• HERE! On this website

If interested in creating a trail network in your neighborhood, feel free to contact us. Contact information is available on the JTC webpage. The JTC meets on the 2nd Monday of each month. As the days shorten, no better time to explore the incredible spaces in our community.

Interested in the results of the recent Trails Use Survey? You can check out the full survey results here. We are in the process of analyzing the results and will keep you posted with how they will inform our future activities.

View the SURVEY RESULTS Here

Please feel free to reach out and ask us any questions.

Local Motion, Vermont Department of Health, and Way to Go! are excited to invite you to this new collaboration between SRTS and VDH, growing and continuing the tradition of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Annual Meeting, and we want YOU to join us this year!

When: April 11 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Where: Vermont Granite Museum, Barre, VT

Come join like minded folks in discovering new ideas and gaining new insights to bring back to our community and schools to enhance the provision of safe routes for all road users, especially children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

An exciting program is promised including presentations and networking opportunities that you will not want to miss!

You will come away with useful new ideas, tools, and resources!

The goal is to help you become an even more powerful advocate for making your community and it’s schools a safer place for everyone to walk and bike.

Here is a sample of some of the exciting breakout sessions we're offering this year:

• Reclaiming and Remaking Streets: Lessons from a Student-led Pop-up Project in Rutland

• Building Bridges: A Successful Community-School Partnership in Shelburne

• Funding your Safe Routes Projects: A Panel Discussion

• Playing with the Built World! Tips & Tricks with Finn