GLOUCESTER — Public Health Director Karin Carroll and Cape Ann Mass in Motion Grant Coordinator Jennifer Donnelly are encouraging Cape Ann residents to participate in a community survey and upcoming remote forums about bicycling.
The survey and forums seek to determine the level of community interest in a regional bicycling master plan and to promote safety on local roadways, and are being funded by a $1,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to Cape Ann Mass in Motion, a coalition overseen by the Gloucester Health Department.
Cape Ann Mass in Motion is part of DPH’s Municipal Wellness and Leadership initiative, which seeks to prevent obesity and lower rates of chronic disease by increasing opportunities for healthy food access and active living.
The funds are being managed by MassBike, a DPH technical advisor for Mass in Motion communities across the state and statewide advocacy group promoting a bicycle friendly environment and encouraging bicycling for recreation, fitness and transportation. To learn more, click here.
The two-part survey is open to all residents, of all ages, of Essex, Gloucester, Manchester and Rockport and the deadline to complete the survey is Nov. 30.
To participate in the question and answer section of the survey, Cape Ann residents can scan the code below:
Residents will be asked which community they live in, whether they own a car, whether they own a bike, how often they ride their bike, improvements that could be made in their community that would encourage them to bike, whether they wear a helmet, and so on.
The second part of the survey asks residents to mark an interactive map with bicycle routes and mark destinations, barriers and locations for potential bike shares. To complete the second part of the survey, scan the code below:
Overall, the survey takes between 10 and 15 minutes to complete.
“We’re encouraging everyone who lives on Cape Ann to participate in the survey,” Donnelly said. “Whether you ride a bike, want to ride a bike, or don’t, we want your input, as we all share the roadways. This is an important opportunity for our communities to better understand transportation opportunities and healthy living habits available to us, and we hope to have as many people participate as possible.”
A virtual community forum will also be held for each community this month via Zoom. The forums will provide residents with the opportunity to provide more feedback on bicycling in their community, and all of the input Cape Ann Mass in Motion receives in the forms and through the survey will be compiled and shared with the region and individual communities.
Essex’s forum will take place on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. To call into the meeting, call 312-626-6799, alternate 346-248-7799. The meeting ID is 853 8341 0901.
To join the forum from a computer or smart device, click here or scan the code below:
Gloucester’s forum will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. To call into the meeting, call 312-626-6799, alternate 346-248-7799. The meeting ID is 869 2779 8508.
To join the forum from a computer or smart device, click here or scan the code below:
Manchester’s forum will take place on Friday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. To call into the meeting, call 312-626-6799, alternate 346-248-7799. The meeting ID is 96 8523 5213.
To join the forum from a computer or smart device, click here or scan the code below:
Rockport’s forum will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. To call into the meeting, call 312-626-6799, alternate 346-248-7799. The meeting ID is 810 9536 6146.
To join the forum from a computer or smart device, click here or scan the code below:
For further instructions and guidance on how to join a remote meeting, click here or scan the code below:
Anyone with questions about the survey or forums is encouraged to contact Donnelly at jdonnelly@gloucester-ma.gov.
About Cape Ann Mass in Motion
Overseen by the City of Gloucester Health Department and funded by Mass in Motion and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Cape Ann Mass in Motion Coalition represents the communities of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. Those involved in the coalition work to advance policy, systems, and environmental change as it relates to healthy food access and active living for all members of our community. For more information or to get involved in the coalition, contact Cape Ann Mass in Motion Grant Coordinator Jennifer Donnelly at jdonnelly@gloucester-ma.gov.
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