Transportation Planning

Transportation Planning

Greater Lowell Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan

Safe and Connected Streets for All

Imagine a region with safe sidewalks, connected bike lanes, and accessible transportation for all. The Greater Lowell Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (GLBPP) is a collaborative effort between NMCOG, the Northern Middlesex Metropolitan Planning Organization (NMMPO), project consultant Toole Design Group, the GLBPP Advisory Committee, and the Greater Lowell community to improve walking and biking infrastructure. Together, we aim to: 

  • Close gaps in bike and pedestrian networks 

  • Enhance safety for all road users 

  • Build a connected, sustainable transportation system 

  • Ensure community voices shape future investments 

The GLBPP builds on prior efforts such as Envision 2050, the region’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, and the Greater Lowell Vision Zero Plan, and it aligns with NMCOG’s commitment to safe, multimodal transportation options that enhance community connectivity and quality of life.

Want to stay informed about project updates, surveys, and community events? Sign up for the Greater Lowell Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan email distribution list!

Inform the Plan!

Community engagement is a core element of the GLBPP. We are seeking to engage residents, workers, and visitors across the region through a public outreach process that includes:

  • An online survey and interactive map — click here to take the survey

  • Pop-up outreach at community events — see the full schedule of events below

  • Public workshops and meetings: RSVP today for our July 8 community workshop!

  • Walk audits and stakeholder meetings — these will be announced in late summer or early fall

  • An advisory committee of regional and municipal stakeholders

View the GLBPP Public Engagement Plan.

Upcoming Pop-Up Events

Catch us at community events to complete the survey and share your input:

  • Acre Fest (June 7)

  • Tewksbury Farmers’ Market (June 12)

  • Dunstable summer concert series (June 25)

  • Chelmsford Market on the Common (June 28)

  • DIY Lowell Sidewalk Inventory (June 28)

  • Billerica Farmers’ Market (June 30)

  • Gallgher Terminal Commuter Pop-Up (July 3)

  • Roudenbush Summer Community Market in Westford (July 15)

  • Southeast Asian Water Festival (August 16)

  • Additional locations to be posted soon!

July Public Workshop

Creating the Network Public Workshop:

Tuesday, July 8
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA

We’ll provide an overview of existing conditions, what we’re hearing in the regional survey, and other known barriers to a regionwide network. Following a brief presentaiton, we’ll roll up our sleeves and work together on identifying potential new walking, biking, and rolling paths to connect our communities to resources, services, schools, and each other. RSVP today — A full agenda will be posted to the event page soon!

Later this summer, we will have another workshop where the community can weigh in on draft network recommendations.

Project Schedule and Key Documents

The GLBPP is being developed through a collaborative, step-by-step process designed to gather input, analyze existing conditions, and shape a shared vision for safer, more connected walking and biking routes across the region. The project timeline—from early data collection and public outreach through draft recommendations and final plan adoption—is provided below so you can see what’s happening now and what’s coming next.

Presently, Toole Design is analyzing region-wide data, on the ground conditions, and recent planning initiatives to develop an Existing Conditions Review. NMCOG is concurrently leading spring and summer public and municipal engagement events to invite the community to provide input on barriers to walking, biking, and rolling, opportunities for improvement, and suggestions for closing the gaps in the region’s existing bike and pedestrian network.

Key project documents will be shared here as they are developed. Advisory Committee materials are posted in the next section below.

  • Public Engagement Plan

  • Project Fact Sheet

  • Survey promotion flyers

Greater Lowell Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Advisory Committee

NMCOG is working with an Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from the Greater Lowell community to guide this plan and support the vision for safer, more connected streets. The GLBPP Advisory Committee plays a central role in shaping the plan by providing input on draft materials, identifying local priorities, and ensuring recommendations reflect the diverse needs of the region’s communities.

The Advisory Committee serves as both a forum for collaborative dialogue and a working group that advises on key milestones, including the public engagement strategy, infrastructure priorities, and plan recommendations. The committee convenes throughout the planning process to review draft content and guide the development of a safer, more connected, and inclusive regional walking and biking network.

GLBPP Advisory Committee Meetings

The Advisory Committee will next meet on Monday, June 16 at NMCOG’s office (672 Suffolk Street, Suite 100, Lowell). Discussion will focus on the existing conditions analysis and plans for summer outreach and engagement.

  • GLBPP Advisory Committee Meeting #2 Agenda

  • Meeting presentation (to be posted after the meeting)

The Advisory Committee met for a kickoff meeting on Tuesday, May 6. Committee members discussed the role of the committee, a vision and goals for the plan, and upcoming engagement opportunities. All meeting materials are posted below:

Advisory Committee Members

  • Aubrey Brown, Interpretative Ranger, Lowell National Historic Park

  • Doug Chandler, Middlesex Canal Commission (MCC), Middlesex Canal Association (MCA) & Friends of Regional Towpaths and Trails (FORTT)

  • George DeLuca, Lowell Resident

  • David Ganong, Pepperell+ incorporated

  • Marlies Henderson, Billerica Planning Board / OSRPC

  • Liz Ivanov, Farley White Management Co., Pepperell

  • Wendy Jepson, Town of  Billerica, Former race director for Berna's Great Legs 5K

  • Robert Klinkhammer, Town of Chelmsford BPAC

  • Kyle Parker, Safe Streets Tewksbury

  • Phil Posner, Board Member, The Bike Connector

  • Amber Stearns, Bay Circuit Trail Coordinator

  • Ray Tice, Town of  Billerica , Community Member, Longtime Bike Commuter

  • Joshua Warhurst, Chelmsford Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee

  • Ethan Yang, DIY Lowell/ Resident of downtown Lowell

Contact

For more information or to get involved in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning process, contact:

Amanuel Regassa
Transportation Planner II
978-454-8021 x112
aregassa@nmcog.org