The Hartford headquarters of Connecticut's Department of Energy & Environmental Protection recently earned a Bike Friendly Business Award from the League of American Bicyclists. The award is for businesses or workplaces that promote a bicycle-friendly culture. DEEP won a bronze-level award based on its facilities and programs. Bicycle-friendly building improvements include bicycle racks in the on-site parking garage and onsite showers. The agency holds bike safety and bike repair classes and promotes cycling events, such as the Capitol Bike to Work Day and the Discover Hartford Bicycling Tour. DEEP joins almost 500 award winners nationwide, including local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
DEEP's Green Team applied for the award to inspire other agencies and businesses to become more bicycle friendly. It's part of the Green Team's outreach program to mentor other organizations to go green and start green teams of their own. To get started with a green team, contact the DEEP Green Team co-chairs Connie Mendolia, 860-424-3243 or Mary Sherwin, 860-424-3246. To get started bicycling, visit the Connecticut advocacy group Bike Walk CT. Bike Walk Connecticut’s September 24 news post noted that an upcoming edition of WNPR's Where We Live was scheduled to feature a discussion of Hartford's iQuilt project and making the city more bike- and walk-friendly. We asked you to tell us: what's working for pedestrians and cyclists in Hartford? What's not? What small changes would make a big difference? Thanks to all of you who responded!
Twenty percent of respondents said they were not very familiar with iQuilt; 27 percent said they were somewhat familiar with iQuilt; and 34 percent of respondents said they were very familiar with iQuilt. Nineteen percent of respondents did not answer that question. Here’s what else you had to say, below. Learn more: iQuilt Plan iQuilt pocket guide Hartford's Intermodal Triangle Project Congratulations to South Windsor for becoming Connecticut's next Bicycle Friendly Community! South Windsor earned the League of American Bicyclists' Bronze designation in Fall 2012. The League awards Bicycle Friendly Communities at five levels (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) and, with this diverse round of applicants, there are now 242 BFCs in 47 states. With the guidance and expertise of the BFC program, these communities are propelling the growth in bicycling nationwide. According to recent census data, bicycle commuting grew 80 percent in the largest BFCs, but only 32 percent in non-BFC cities, from 2000 to 2011. South Windsor Walk and Wheelways led the celebration on Saturday, Oct 20th with a Torch Ride and cycling tour of South Windsor following the ceremony. Passing the Tourch from one Bicycle Friendly Community to another! Rob O'Connor, South Windsor Walk and Wheel Ways; Steve Mitchell, Bicycle Advocate for East Coast Greenway and Town of Simsbury; South Windsor Mayor Tom Delnicki; and Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman. Photo Credit: Bike Walk Simsbury Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman and South Windsor Mayor Tom Delnicki head the only Bicycle Friendly Communities in CT. Photo Credit: Bike Walk Simsbury
Connecticut’s fall “Still Revolutionary” campaign, the second phase of the state’s two-year, nearly $27 million dollar marketing effort designed to foster economic growth in Connecticut, includes an inviting glimpse of cycling in Connecticut.
Watch the ad below. Bike Walk Connecticut joined with the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and six other advocacy groups in the following letter to Governor Malloy on preserving funding for bike/ped infrastructure projects in Connecticut.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 25, 2012 The Honorable Dannel P. Malloy Governor of Connecticut 210 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 RE: Federal Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Funding Dear Governor Malloy: With the passage of the new federal transportation law, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), Connecticut and its metropolitan planning organizations will now decide how to use the funds allocated to the newly created “Transportation Alternatives” (TA) program. This new program consists of money previously dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian projects via the Transportation Enhancements, Recreational Trails, and Safe Routes to Schools programs, and has, unfortunately, been cut by roughly 33 percent under MAP-21. In addition, states now also have the option of diverting half of these funds to non-bike and pedestrian projects, and opting out completely from the Recreational Trails program. Between 2008 and 2010, 135 pedestrians and cyclists were killed on Connecticut roads. In order for Connecticut to achieve its goals of smart growth, improved safety, the economic revitalization of downtowns and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical that the state maintain, if not increase, its current levels of funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Connecticut has made great strides in recent years to become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. The General Assembly passed a Complete Streets law in 2009 that is ranked as one of the best in the country and ConnDOT Commissioner James Redeker reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to accommodating all users of the road at an April 2012 forum in Bridgeport. It is our understanding that the state has again affirmed its support for non-motorized transportation by deciding not to opt out of the Recreational Trails program for the 2013 federal fiscal year. We thank you for this commitment to complete streets and non-motorized transportation, and urge you to build upon it. To this end, we urge the state to: 1. Direct 100% of the state’s Transportation Alternatives funding to improving the safety of our roads for all users and to building community infrastructure and trails that encourage walking and bicycling. It is crucial that the state continue its commitment to complete streets, smart growth and active transportation. 2. Promptly award Transportation Alternatives grants via both metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and state-administered processes. Under MAP-21, half of a state’s Transportation Alternatives funding is sub-allocated directly to MPOs serving more than 200,000 residents, and these MPOs administer the funds. 3. Fully maximize Connecticut’s investments in safe, accessible streets by utilizing all MAP-21 funding programs to fund multi-modal projects and incorporating complete streets principles into the design and implementation of all transportation projects. Bicycling and walking projects can be funded via several federal transportation programs, including the Surface Transportation Program (STP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). 4. Fully spend remaining funds from the Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails programs. For the good of the economy and the health, safety, and quality of life of all Connecticut residents, we urge Connecticut to maintain current levels of funding for bike and pedestrian projects and continue investing in complete streets, smart growth, and active transportation programs. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. Sincerely, Kelly Kennedy, Executive Director, Bike Walk Connecticut Roger Reynolds, Senior Attorney, Connecticut Fund for the Environment Lori Brown, Executive Director, CT League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Mark Abraham, Board Member, Elm City Cycling William Dornbos, Connecticut Director, Environment Northeast Amanda Kennedy, Connecticut Director, Regional Plan Association Veronica Vanterpool, Executive Director, Tri-State Transportation Campaign CC: State Senator Andrew M. Maynard, Transportation Committee Co-Chair State Representative Antonio Guerrera, Transportation Committee Co-Chair Connecticut DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty
Hundreds turned out for Bike Walk Connecticut's 2012 Discover Hartford Bicycle Tour on Saturday, Sept. 29. Watch the Channel 8 video below and read the accompanying story about Discover Hartford and EnvisionFest here.
Scroll down for photos too! Have some you'd like to share? Send them in a zip file to us at bikewalkct@bikewalkct.org
2012 Discover Hartford Bicycle Tour Photos
Have some Discover Hartford photos you'd like to share? Please send them in a zip file to us at bikewalkct@bikewalkct.org. Thanks! |
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