By Jane McInerny.
I have been an avid recreational bicyclist since I was a teenager. I fondly remember the thrill of bicycle camping in the Loire Valley, through the Champlain Islands, on Nova Scotia and the Chincoteague Islands.
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990 and became power-chair dependent for mobility in 2005.
One way I have tolerated my progressive disability has been to explore as much as possible by power chair. My attitude is, “If a bicycle can be ridden on a pathway, so can a wheelchair.”
You can imagine my delight when I realized that I live within “rolling” distance of an extensive network of cycling trails in Lower Mills known as the Neponset River Greenway. Since moving to Dorchester in 2019, I have spent many hours exploring this resource that is maintained primarily by the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Traveling along the Neponset River is unimaginably scenic as it runs for roughly five miles from Mattapan through a tree-lined area in Milton, by the old Baker Chocolate factory in Dorchester, and on to Pope John Paul II Park.
In July, a key connection between the Greenway and Morrissey Boulevard to the Boston Harborwalk opened to the public. When my able-bodied friend Gail told me that she was coming for a visit, I was eager to show her this new jewel, but hard pressed to figure out how we could share the trek together. I use a quantum power chair, which has a maximum speed of 6 mph and a range of over 20 miles. I wanted to do more than have her walk with me along the segments. I wanted to share the experience with her.
Fortunately, Boston’s bike rental system— known as Bluebikes— is a great option. You can rent standard and electrical bikes at these kiosks using an app that you can download to your smart phone. They even have a map that tells you what kind of bikes are at which station and your walking distance to the closest bicycle.
We could have walked up and rented a bike at Ashmont MBTA station (Red Line from Alewife), which is about 10 blocks from my apartment building. But my friend, who hasn’t ridden a bike in about 20 years, was less than excited to ride a bicycle a mile down Dorchester Avenue to get on the Greenway trail at the Milton MBTA stop. Instead, we drove to the Butler Street station (off Adams St. in Dorchester), right along the Neponset River Greenway and rented an E-bike. There was plenty of free two-hour parking on the street with the option of Pay-to-Park for longer.
The e-bike was in good operational order and simple for a novice user. Gail noted that she was exerting as much energy as if she were walking briskly. She pedaled comfortably behind me in my power chair as long as I remembered to signal her with my hand when I intended to stop.
The paved pathway is comfortably wide, smooth, and flat, initially traveling between Cedar Grove Cemetery and the above-ground extension of the Red Line, the Ashmont-Mattapan trolley. After rolling through a bridge overpass of approximately 1000 yards, you are treated to a bucolic Neponset river view complete with a working drawbridge on your right. Contrast this with the view of Logan Airport-bound planes overhead and heavily trafficked Rte. 93 on the distant right horizon.
This section leads to a traffic light with dedicated pedestrian signal that facilitates safe passage across busy Granite Avenue and marks one entrance to Neponset II Park leading to an extensive network of trails and recreational spaces offering tremendous views of the water and wildlife.
Heading straight on the path takes you behind several commercial buildings on the left with playing fields and the Keystone apartment building on your right. Just when you think you might be lost, you come upon a directional sign pointing toward Tenean Beach.
This is followed by a futuristic interlude where you are literally passing underneath some of the state’s busiest highways. The fantasy vibe was heightened when we encountered people fishing underneath the highway. Subsequently, you can deviate from the trail to take a loop around Port Norfolk, which has a beautiful view of the wetlands around the Neponset River.
The semi-industrial waterfront also has marinas, and a winery, and distillery offering tastings and food. After traveling for a few blocks off of the dedicated trail, you reconnect with the trail following along small, sandy Tenean Beach with a playground, several covered patios, and sports courts.
Shortly after this, the trail turns sharply to the left toward the entrance to the newly constructed connector on the right in about 500 feet. This transition is marked with excellent signage of the surrounding area, including a detailed map with the location of stores and restaurants.
Your efforts are rewarded with a unique view of the Prudential building in the distance. It appears to be suspended above a super-highway traversing behind the Ramada Inn and several newly constructed apartment buildings. Past that, you follow the signs that direct you onto a wooden bridge that runs parallel to Rt. 93 and offers two spectacular viewing platforms in front of the iconic Rainbow Swash painted by the artist Corita Kent on large gas tanks in Dorchester’s harbor in 1972.
The path then hooks up with Morrissey Blvd and takes you over Dorchester Bay while offering a view of UMass Boston and the John F. Kennedy Library to the right on Columbia Point.
Alas, our trip farther north to South Boston was terminated by a transition from bridge to a pathway that was not properly graded for smooth passage of my power chair. Still, Gail and I were exhilarated by our trip and were ready to do the return journey.
On the way back, we explored some of the side paths and arrived safely at Butler Street station. Helpful odometer stats included a total distance of 15 miles with battery at 30 percent power. The total bill for renting the bike for a little over two hours was $33. The thrill of the opportunity to share this with my friend: priceless.
Jane McInerny is a retired medical physician who lives in Dorchester’s Harmon Apartments on the campus of The Boston Home.
