7.2.2026 Bicycle Pedestrian Blue Ribbon Committee

The City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire's Bicycle Pedestrian Blue Ribbon Committee convened on July 6, 2026, to discuss ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects aimed at improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and connectivity. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the Fleet Street reconstruction project, including proposed changes to traffic flow, sidewalk widening, and the introduction of a contraflow bike lane to enhance bicycle access while maintaining on-street parking. The committee reviewed design options, public input, and the project's timeline, with plans to present recommendations to the City Council in July. Additional discussions covered maintenance and paving projects such as Middle Street and Woodbury Avenue, emphasizing ADA compliance, safety improvements, and potential integration with the city's bike and pedestrian master plan. The committee also addressed community outreach, education efforts, and coordination with other city departments to align multimodal transportation goals with broader city planning and sustainability objectives. A motion to approve the previous meeting's minutes was passed, and future agenda items were proposed, including presentations from the planning department on safe routes to school and mapping of crash locations to inform infrastructure priorities.