Bike Fitchburg urges crosswalks, bump-outs and Vision 0 inclusion for Agora pavilion area

Mark Wilkerson, a Bike Fitchburg board member and founder of a local rides nonprofit, told the Transportation & Transit Committee on July 9 that pedestrian and bicycle access at the Agora Pavilion and along East Sherrill Parkway becomes hazardous during events such as the farmers market. "I counted 75 cars in less than a half hour," Wilkerson said, describing congested conditions and limited marked crosswalks between Research Park Drive and Woods Hollow Road.

Wilkerson's AARP-style audit identified several problems: no curb cuts or marked crosswalks at key desire lines, on‑street parking that limits sight lines, and an increase in event-related foot and bicycle traffic that the existing infrastructure does not safely support. He proposed a menu of fixes ranging from quick, low-cost measures — flexible delineators and temporary bump-outs — to longer-term options such as signalized crossings and pedestrian islands. He asked the committee to recommend that staff transmit the suggestions to the consultant preparing the Vision 0 safety action plan and to include the items in the 2028–2037 capital improvement program and the 2028 budget.

Ross (staff member) told the committee that physical curb work can take a year or more while flexible delineators can simulate bump-outs "much, much quicker, and cheaper." A committee member with long experience working near the Agora suggested moving the farmers market off Sherrill Parkway, saying the pavilion is privately owned and relocating the event could address the root cause of the congestion. "It's time to move the farmer's market off of Sherrill Parkway," the committee member said, urging coordination with the pavilion owner and event stakeholders.

Other speakers who operate community trishaw and age-friendly ride programs described how the multiuse path becomes inaccessible during events and recommended high-visibility crosswalks and targeted bump-outs that restore parking while improving pedestrian sight lines. The committee discussed submitting the ideas to the consultant rather than directing Public Works to do one‑off projects, so the interventions can be prioritized in the city's comprehensive safety plan.

Next steps: Wilkerson asked that the committee recommend the audit recommendations be sent to the Vision 0 consultant and considered for inclusion in the CIP; Ross and several members said they would add the locations to the safety-action plan scope for consultant review. No formal vote on specific construction funding occurred at the meeting.