Walk and Bicycle

The ways we choose to get around can have a major impact on the environment. Vehicles powered by fossil fuels cause 36 percent of Winchester's greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from passenger cars, trucks and SUVs. In contrast, walking and bicycling are pollution-free, fun, good for your health, inexpensive compared to purchasing and maintaining a vehicle, and available to residents of all ages - no license required.

Winchester is a fairly compact community - about 4.5 miles at its widest point. Most destinations are within 2-3 miles of each other. The Town maintains approximately 90 miles of public ways, as shown below.

      _{Winchester's roadway network. Source: The Road Book: Conditions, Performance and Plans. Town of Winchester, Massachusetts. October 23, 2017.}

Most of the busier streets in Winchester have sidewalks. In addition, several roads are marked with "sharrows" that indicate they are for both bicyclists and motorized vehicles. Winchester will also soon begin a $165,000 Town Traffic Master Plan Study approved at the 2021 Fall Town Meeting, which will help identify roadways and intersections that could be improved not just for vehicular traffic, but also pedestrians and bicyclists.

There are bike racks located in multiple locations downtown, and at all elementary schools, the McCall Middle School, and Winchester High School. 

For those looking for a more lengthy trip on a path that is mostly separate from vehicular traffic, Winchester is also fortunate to host the Tri-Community Greenway. The Greenway is a 6.63 mile multi-use path that runs through Winchester, Woburn and Stoneham. The Greenway begins at the Wedgemere Commuter Rail Station at the corner of the Middlesex Turnpike and Bacon St. (at Ginn Field), and runs north roughly parallel to the Aberjona River through downtown Winchester, the Jenks Center, Winchester High School, the Swanton St. Diner, Muraco Elementary School, Davidson Park (at Cross St.) and then north on Washington St. toward Woburn. The Greenway passes under Interstate 93 and for approximately 2 miles through Stoneham, ending at Recreation Park off of Franklin St. It also includes a spur trail to Horn Pond in Woburn that begins adjacent to the Department of Public Works facility near the corner of Main St. and Lake St.

Want to share ideas for improving walkability and bikeability in Winchester? Feel free to contact Sustainability Director Ken Pruitt or Winchester's Traffic and Transportation Advisory Committee (TTAC). The TTAC works to ensure all residents, even the most vulnerable, can move throughout town safely, comfortably, and expeditiously year-round. TTAC meets monthly. Meetings are posted on the Town of Winchester calendar and are open to the public.