Vision 88: Support Towards Implementation

Bicycling is a defining part of life on Cape Cod. From casual riders and family outings to daily commuters and long-distance cyclists, two-wheeled travel is a year-round presence across the region. While Cape Cod’s roadways offer beautiful, scenic cycling routes, many prefer the comfort and safety of dedicated off-road paths.

Vision 88 is a regional goal to create a continuous, 88-mile shared-use path stretching from Woods Hole to Provincetown. In recent years, investments have expanded the Cape’s trail network, and additional rail trail segments are currently in design. The Cape Cod Rail Trail from Yarmouth to Wellfleet, with an extension underway to Barnstable; Falmouth’s Shining Sea Bikeway; the Old Colony Rail Trail in Harwich and Chatham; the Cape Cod Canal bike paths; and the newly opened shared-use path along Service Road in Sandwich provide a framework for this vision.

The Cape Cod Commission’s 2027 Unified Planning Work Program includes a task to support this effort. Staff will support implementation of Vision 88 through expanded data collection, regional coordination, documentation, and public engagement. This work will include a comprehensive inventory of bicycle projects, an online comment tool for residents and visitors to share feedback, and a public outreach campaign to better understand needs and priorities.

Staff will also develop an interactive online bicycle map similar to the Mass Trail Tracker that will be updated as new trail segments are completed. A dedicated Vision 88 website will serve as a central hub for project updates, mapping tools, public input, and the final report.

Beginning in summer 2026, staff will collect data across existing and planned trail corridors, with work continuing as needed into 2027. An online comment tool and interactive map are expected to launch in fall 2026, followed by a draft report in spring 2027 outlining existing conditions, recent progress, and future opportunities for bicycle infrastructure across Cape Cod.

Public outreach, including meetings, pop-up events, and digital engagement, will take place throughout spring and summer 2027. A final report, incorporating public feedback, is anticipated in fall 2027.

Together, these efforts will help move Vision 88 from concept to implementation, supporting a safer, more connected Cape Cod.