Bonne DeSousa is looking to start a bicycle movement in Mattapoisett.

“The aim is to improve bicycling conditions in a whole variety of ways,” said DeSousa.

Broader in scope than the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bicycle and Recreation Path, of which DeSousa is a member, Bike Friendly Mattapoisett is being modeled after the League of American Cyclists Bike Friendly Community program.

DeSousa hopes the town can make changes using the program’s “five E’s” – engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation and planning.

While the Bike Friendly Community designation is usually given to small and large cities, DeSousa said there are thousands of ideas that the town can implement.

“In Mattapoisett, my idea is just to take the concept and apply it in ways that are going to improve bicycling conditions around town,” DeSousa said.

For several months, DeSousa has rallied a group of interested cyclists.

Already, the group helped to establish a tri-town bike club that has gone on several Sunday outings. At their last meeting, cyclists began mapping bike routes using online software that will be put on the Mattapoisett Rail Trail website.

In the engineering category, DeSousa is also working on ideas to improve intersections frequently used by cyclists, starting with those of the Rail Trail – a conversation of which the Selectmen are also a part.

DeSousa would like to see all facets of the town get involved, especially as biking has picked up in the area.

In the future, DeSousa hopes volunteers can work with the Police Department to enhance the safe bike-riding program that officers already do in schools.

And as more bikers could improve tourism in the area, she also would like businesses to get in on the action.

So far, town officials have been very supportive of provisions for cyclists, adding bike racks in public areas and looking for safety solutions on the bike path. With the addition of Bike Friendly Mattapoisett, DeSousa sees only positive outcomes.

“The town will be even better served if bicycling conditions improve at a whole bunch of levels, not just that we get a bike path.”

DeSousa said Bike Friendly Mattapoisett is a fluid group with people attending meetings dealing with subjects they are interest in. For more information, contact Bonne DeSousa at bdesousa43@verizon.net.

Those interested in developments on the bike path can also join the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path's Facebook page.