Milton residents worried about armed invasion from Mattapan win battle over bike path

The Globe reports Milton selectmen this week voted to oppose a proposal to have a bike path along the Neponset cross the river at Capen Street.

Although selectmen said their vote for a two-bridge crossing is actually pro-Boston, because keeping the path entirely there would provide "better access" to Boston residents, it's a big win for residents in the Capen Street area worried about ruffians and ne'er-do-wells crossing over from Mattapan Square:

Referring to Mattapan Square, another resident, Andrea Synnott, wrote that she and her husband "worry about the safety of our kids if the neighborhood is made more accessible to a busy commercial area with high crime. I believe it would cause fundamental changes to an otherwise quiet and isolated neighborhood."

Because, of course, there is currently no way for thugs to cross the Neponset from Mattapan Square. No word if Miltonians would be further assuaged by armed border crossings.

Via Mike Ball, who recounts the history of bike-path NIMBYism in Massachusetts.