Advocacy
If making Connecticut a great place to bike and walk matters, we can't keep it a secret! It all comes down to making our voices heard, whether at the local, state or federal government level.
Federal, state and local government policies and programs affect our choices and how we live on a day-to day basis -- such as whether active transportation options like walking and cycling are safe, attractive choices, or not.
Bike Walk Connecticut focuses on getting good active transportation laws, policies and funding at the state government level.
Do you have suggestions for BWCT to pursue with legislators? We'd love to hear from you! Click below to share your ideas with us.
Legislative Advocacy Priorities for 2020
Download as a PDF
Summary of our Legislative Reception in January 2020
PRIORITY I - STATE LEGISLATION
Create an ‘Act concerning bicycle & pedestrian safety in Connecticut’
Pedestrian Safety at Crosswalks (H.B. 5934, Raised Bill 7203).
We need to do more to protect pedestrians. We recommend amending the crosswalk law to its pre-2007 statutory language when motorists in Connecticut were required to stop for people ‘at’ crosswalks. Nationally, Connecticut shares in the preventable epidemic of pedestrian fatalities, where 425 pedestrian fatalities have occurred in our state between 2008 and 2017, and unfortunately, the trend is on the increase. During those years, U.S. pedestrian deaths have increased 35%, while walking as an activity increased less than 1%, yet traffic deaths of motor vehicle occupants went down 6%. We also support the proposal of a legal indicator that allows a pedestrian to communicate crossing intention, requiring approaching traffic to stop, without forcing that pedestrian to step into harm’s way in front of traffic.
Speed Limits in Municipalities (Committee Bill 6590).
This bill allows municipalities to lower a speed limit by 15 mph on any Office of State Traffic Authority (OSTA) roadway with a currently approved speed limit of 35 mph or less. This would apply to roads entirely in their jurisdiction only, providing municipalities a tool to address speed-related safety concerns in their area. Connecticut is among a minority of states that don’t allow local jurisdictions to set their own speed limits. Yet, a community is likely to be more knowledgeable about assessing the most appropriate speed limits where they live. The locals experience their roads daily, and are likely to establish speed limits taking into account all road users. Studies indicate that small changes to the speed traveled by motor vehicle drivers can cause reductions in risk. A 5% decrease in mean speeds typically leads to decreases in injury-causing crashes by 10%, and in fatal crashes by 20%.
Make Dooring of a Bicyclist or Pedestrian Illegal & Establish Penalty Progression.
‘Dooring laws’ are laws that require people in a vehicle to open their door with a degree of care for moving traffic. A typical dooring law requires that a person opening a vehicle door ensure that it is reasonably safe to open the door, that opening the door will not interfere with moving traffic, and that the door is not open for any more time than necessary. Dooring collisions are likely one of the more common bicyclist-vehicle collision types, particularly in urban areas. Rhode Island’s law reflects a modern formulation of the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) provision on dooring. Forty one states have a dooring law. Connecticut is one of only nine states without one.
Penalties for Distracted Driving When Violation Results in a Motor Vehicle Accident (H.B. 5282).
Financial consequences change behaviors, so increasing penalities for distracted driving will help increase accountability for motorists whose carelessness, caused by moments of distraction, lead to injury or worse, fatalities, to our most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
Make Traffic Impact Studies (TIS) review of bicycle and pedestrian access and safety mandatory.
Make it mandatory to include bicyclist and pedestrian access, safety, circulation, parking and connection to multi-use paths and bike lanes whenever a land development proposal triggers the state traffic Commission (STC) to require a Traffic Impact Study. Currently, a review of bicycle and pedestrian impact is recommended as part of the TIS. Requring one would give consideration of the health, safety and welfare of all road users at the design phase of a site planning process, and not as an after thought.
Secondary Focus – Legislation that addresses Connecticut’s Trails
Establishment of a Greenways Account (H.B. 7058)
This bill assures that funds obtained from the sale of ‘Greenways’ motor vehicle license plates are directed, as originally intended, to be used for the development, construction and maintenance of ‘Greenways’ in Connecticut. When the public invests in a ‘Greenways’ license plate, we believe that they anticipate that their dollars invested in those plates are being utilized for that purpose, so they should be.
CT Recreational Trails Bonding
Support bonding for the CT DEEP Recreational Trails & Greenways Grants Program at the level of $3 million in the FY 2020-21 bonding package. This level of bonding was supported unanimously by the Environment Committee and was included in Section 69 of the substitute for S.B. 876. Since 2016, the Recreational Trails & Greenways Program has invested $10.2 million into 60 matching grants to municipalities and nonprofits. Unfortunately, there is no remaining bonding authorized to support the continuance of this successful program, despite a backlog of over $12 million in funding requests being received in the last grant round alone.
PRIORITY II - CT2030 TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Make revisions to assure it is a true multi-modal plan.
We urge legislators to support revisions to CT2030 to assure it includes all modes of transportation, especially programs and facilities for the safety and access of pedestrians and bicyclists. Whereas earlier state transportation plans have included a program of bicycle and pedestrian projects, CT2030 has only 4 sectors – Highways, Mass Transit, Airports and Ports. Within these sectors, there is little to no mention of the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians. In fact, the only specific mention of funding for pedestrian or bicycle programs is regarding pedestrian facilities within the $52 million Community Connectivity Program. Bicycle & pedestrian investments have a clear relationship to economic development and community health, and should be part of a comprehensive transportation plan.
PRIORITY III - COMPLETE STREETS
A solution for Connecticut’s safety, health, environment and transportation needs.
Each year in our state, approximately 1,500 pedestrians and 550 cyclists are hit by motor vehicles, leading to serious injuries and fatalities. At the same time, physical inactivity is a looming public health crisis. Complete Streets offers a solution to both, by planning, designing, and building transportation infrastructure with all users in mind to provide a safer and more efficient network so everyone can walk, bike, drive, or take transit to their destinations.
Complete Streets’ benefits are substantial - revitalizing our main streets, enabling our communities to thrive economically, and improving safety and sustainability. Thanks to Connecticut’s Complete Streets Policy established in 2009, Connecticut has many success stories, however significantly more opportunities remain. We urge the state and towns to provide funding, and give priority to vigorous implementation of Complete Streets, streets designed for safe mobility for all road users, including the most vulnerable - those walking and bicycling, using transit, and those with disabilities.
Download as a PDF
Summary of our Legislative Reception in January 2020
PRIORITY I - STATE LEGISLATION
Create an ‘Act concerning bicycle & pedestrian safety in Connecticut’
Pedestrian Safety at Crosswalks (H.B. 5934, Raised Bill 7203).
We need to do more to protect pedestrians. We recommend amending the crosswalk law to its pre-2007 statutory language when motorists in Connecticut were required to stop for people ‘at’ crosswalks. Nationally, Connecticut shares in the preventable epidemic of pedestrian fatalities, where 425 pedestrian fatalities have occurred in our state between 2008 and 2017, and unfortunately, the trend is on the increase. During those years, U.S. pedestrian deaths have increased 35%, while walking as an activity increased less than 1%, yet traffic deaths of motor vehicle occupants went down 6%. We also support the proposal of a legal indicator that allows a pedestrian to communicate crossing intention, requiring approaching traffic to stop, without forcing that pedestrian to step into harm’s way in front of traffic.
Speed Limits in Municipalities (Committee Bill 6590).
This bill allows municipalities to lower a speed limit by 15 mph on any Office of State Traffic Authority (OSTA) roadway with a currently approved speed limit of 35 mph or less. This would apply to roads entirely in their jurisdiction only, providing municipalities a tool to address speed-related safety concerns in their area. Connecticut is among a minority of states that don’t allow local jurisdictions to set their own speed limits. Yet, a community is likely to be more knowledgeable about assessing the most appropriate speed limits where they live. The locals experience their roads daily, and are likely to establish speed limits taking into account all road users. Studies indicate that small changes to the speed traveled by motor vehicle drivers can cause reductions in risk. A 5% decrease in mean speeds typically leads to decreases in injury-causing crashes by 10%, and in fatal crashes by 20%.
Make Dooring of a Bicyclist or Pedestrian Illegal & Establish Penalty Progression.
‘Dooring laws’ are laws that require people in a vehicle to open their door with a degree of care for moving traffic. A typical dooring law requires that a person opening a vehicle door ensure that it is reasonably safe to open the door, that opening the door will not interfere with moving traffic, and that the door is not open for any more time than necessary. Dooring collisions are likely one of the more common bicyclist-vehicle collision types, particularly in urban areas. Rhode Island’s law reflects a modern formulation of the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) provision on dooring. Forty one states have a dooring law. Connecticut is one of only nine states without one.
Penalties for Distracted Driving When Violation Results in a Motor Vehicle Accident (H.B. 5282).
Financial consequences change behaviors, so increasing penalities for distracted driving will help increase accountability for motorists whose carelessness, caused by moments of distraction, lead to injury or worse, fatalities, to our most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
Make Traffic Impact Studies (TIS) review of bicycle and pedestrian access and safety mandatory.
Make it mandatory to include bicyclist and pedestrian access, safety, circulation, parking and connection to multi-use paths and bike lanes whenever a land development proposal triggers the state traffic Commission (STC) to require a Traffic Impact Study. Currently, a review of bicycle and pedestrian impact is recommended as part of the TIS. Requring one would give consideration of the health, safety and welfare of all road users at the design phase of a site planning process, and not as an after thought.
Secondary Focus – Legislation that addresses Connecticut’s Trails
Establishment of a Greenways Account (H.B. 7058)
This bill assures that funds obtained from the sale of ‘Greenways’ motor vehicle license plates are directed, as originally intended, to be used for the development, construction and maintenance of ‘Greenways’ in Connecticut. When the public invests in a ‘Greenways’ license plate, we believe that they anticipate that their dollars invested in those plates are being utilized for that purpose, so they should be.
CT Recreational Trails Bonding
Support bonding for the CT DEEP Recreational Trails & Greenways Grants Program at the level of $3 million in the FY 2020-21 bonding package. This level of bonding was supported unanimously by the Environment Committee and was included in Section 69 of the substitute for S.B. 876. Since 2016, the Recreational Trails & Greenways Program has invested $10.2 million into 60 matching grants to municipalities and nonprofits. Unfortunately, there is no remaining bonding authorized to support the continuance of this successful program, despite a backlog of over $12 million in funding requests being received in the last grant round alone.
PRIORITY II - CT2030 TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Make revisions to assure it is a true multi-modal plan.
We urge legislators to support revisions to CT2030 to assure it includes all modes of transportation, especially programs and facilities for the safety and access of pedestrians and bicyclists. Whereas earlier state transportation plans have included a program of bicycle and pedestrian projects, CT2030 has only 4 sectors – Highways, Mass Transit, Airports and Ports. Within these sectors, there is little to no mention of the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians. In fact, the only specific mention of funding for pedestrian or bicycle programs is regarding pedestrian facilities within the $52 million Community Connectivity Program. Bicycle & pedestrian investments have a clear relationship to economic development and community health, and should be part of a comprehensive transportation plan.
PRIORITY III - COMPLETE STREETS
A solution for Connecticut’s safety, health, environment and transportation needs.
Each year in our state, approximately 1,500 pedestrians and 550 cyclists are hit by motor vehicles, leading to serious injuries and fatalities. At the same time, physical inactivity is a looming public health crisis. Complete Streets offers a solution to both, by planning, designing, and building transportation infrastructure with all users in mind to provide a safer and more efficient network so everyone can walk, bike, drive, or take transit to their destinations.
Complete Streets’ benefits are substantial - revitalizing our main streets, enabling our communities to thrive economically, and improving safety and sustainability. Thanks to Connecticut’s Complete Streets Policy established in 2009, Connecticut has many success stories, however significantly more opportunities remain. We urge the state and towns to provide funding, and give priority to vigorous implementation of Complete Streets, streets designed for safe mobility for all road users, including the most vulnerable - those walking and bicycling, using transit, and those with disabilities.
Legislative Advocacy Priorities for 2019
Bike Walk Connecticut’s advocacy plan is about active involvement in efforts to improve Connecticut’s bicycle and pedestrian culture, so that our state is a safe, attractive and feasible place to bike and walk. This plan includes (1) advocating for passing new laws and revising existing statutes; plus a non-legislative advocacy component comprised of (2) informing and educating the public about CT’s bike/ped laws and (3) calling for implementation and enforcement of the laws. All three segments of advocacy are represented here in Bike Walk Connecticut’s 2019 advocacy priorities.
NEW LEGISLATION (1)
A) Amend crosswalk legislation to its pre-2007 statutory language to require motorists to stop for people ‘at’ a crosswalk instead of ‘in’ a crosswalk.
B) Make dooring a bicyclist or pedestrian illegal. Adopt a law to provide a fine for motorists who open the door of a motor vehicle when it is not reasonably safe to do so. Connecticut is only one of nine states without this type of law.
C) Amend CT Recreational Statues regarding liability on premises to include railroad property, railroad rights-of-way and utility corridors to which public access is permitted.
D) Research legislation that allows traffic enforcement cameras (in urban areas and school zones), providing warning signage to alert drivers as they approach area where the program is in use. Pursue in collaboration with CT DOT, CT Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, communities, and local advocacy groups.
NON-LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY (2) & (3)
E) Advocate for vigorous implementation of the Complete Streets law. Expand CT DOT’s Complete Streets policy at both state and municipal levels; provide access to Complete Streets resources for CT’s towns and municipalities.
F) Support Vision Zero initiative. Set annual goals to reduce Connecticut’s bicycle and pedestrian traffic fatalities. Enable municipal control of town road speed limits (vs. control by Office of the State Traffic Administration - OSTA).
G) Support dedicated state funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs, especially those focused on safety, increasing access for bicycle networks, improving transportation mode options, and eliminating gaps. Recommend that funding be allocated with objective, strategic criteria based on factors such as congestion mitigation, connectivity, population density, economic impact and cost.
H) Provide public outreach, education, awareness campaigns, brochures, and handouts. Work in collaboration with Watch For Me CT and local groups across the state, to promote safety for CT’s cyclists and pedestrians.
I) Collaborate with CT DOT on bicycle/pedestrian projects and committees such as CT’s Active Transportation Plan, and Strategic Highway Safety Plan’s (SHSP) Non-motorized Emphasis Area (EA) team.
J) Align with League of American Bicyclists at the National Bike Summit as the CT state coordinator to set up and attend Congressional meetings with legislators on Capital Hill on National Bike Lobby Day (Mar 12, 2019). Promote Bike Friendly America program in CT.
Bike Walk Connecticut’s advocacy plan is about active involvement in efforts to improve Connecticut’s bicycle and pedestrian culture, so that our state is a safe, attractive and feasible place to bike and walk. This plan includes (1) advocating for passing new laws and revising existing statutes; plus a non-legislative advocacy component comprised of (2) informing and educating the public about CT’s bike/ped laws and (3) calling for implementation and enforcement of the laws. All three segments of advocacy are represented here in Bike Walk Connecticut’s 2019 advocacy priorities.
NEW LEGISLATION (1)
A) Amend crosswalk legislation to its pre-2007 statutory language to require motorists to stop for people ‘at’ a crosswalk instead of ‘in’ a crosswalk.
B) Make dooring a bicyclist or pedestrian illegal. Adopt a law to provide a fine for motorists who open the door of a motor vehicle when it is not reasonably safe to do so. Connecticut is only one of nine states without this type of law.
C) Amend CT Recreational Statues regarding liability on premises to include railroad property, railroad rights-of-way and utility corridors to which public access is permitted.
D) Research legislation that allows traffic enforcement cameras (in urban areas and school zones), providing warning signage to alert drivers as they approach area where the program is in use. Pursue in collaboration with CT DOT, CT Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, communities, and local advocacy groups.
NON-LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY (2) & (3)
E) Advocate for vigorous implementation of the Complete Streets law. Expand CT DOT’s Complete Streets policy at both state and municipal levels; provide access to Complete Streets resources for CT’s towns and municipalities.
F) Support Vision Zero initiative. Set annual goals to reduce Connecticut’s bicycle and pedestrian traffic fatalities. Enable municipal control of town road speed limits (vs. control by Office of the State Traffic Administration - OSTA).
G) Support dedicated state funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs, especially those focused on safety, increasing access for bicycle networks, improving transportation mode options, and eliminating gaps. Recommend that funding be allocated with objective, strategic criteria based on factors such as congestion mitigation, connectivity, population density, economic impact and cost.
H) Provide public outreach, education, awareness campaigns, brochures, and handouts. Work in collaboration with Watch For Me CT and local groups across the state, to promote safety for CT’s cyclists and pedestrians.
I) Collaborate with CT DOT on bicycle/pedestrian projects and committees such as CT’s Active Transportation Plan, and Strategic Highway Safety Plan’s (SHSP) Non-motorized Emphasis Area (EA) team.
J) Align with League of American Bicyclists at the National Bike Summit as the CT state coordinator to set up and attend Congressional meetings with legislators on Capital Hill on National Bike Lobby Day (Mar 12, 2019). Promote Bike Friendly America program in CT.
Advocacy Priorities for 2018
Download the full document
Download the full document
- Crosswalk Legislation
Current Connecticut crosswalk legislation requires motorists to yield to pedestrians “in” crosswalks. Prior to 2007, motorists in Connecticut were required to stop for people “at” crosswalks. BWCT believes it is very important to amend the crosswalk law to its pre-2007 statutory language. For this victory to have meaning, however, outreach and education will be critical.
Action: BWCT will work alongside the CT Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board (BPAB), and other partners to advance a
crosswalk legislation amendment. - Trail Bond Funding
In January of 2016, the Bond Commission allocated $7 million to build, expand, or enhance recreational trails. Aft er the recent, protracted budget deliberations, funding for additional grants no longer exists (although a placeholder does).
If restored, this bonding would be the only source of funding available in 2018 in Connecticut that could be
invested in a wide variety of recreational trail projects, including feasibility and design.
Action: BWCT will work with CT Forest & Park Association, East Coast Greenway, Farmington Valley Trails Council, and others to restore bonding for the CT Recreational Trails Program. - E-Bike Legislation
Connecticut lacks legislation specifically classifying or regulating e-bikes (bicycles with electric motors). This
leads to gray areas and confusion. The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board recommends a legislative fix that is
based on a decade of research, mirrors that of other states, and permits local regulation of e-bike use on trails.
Action: BWCT will work with BPAB to advance e-bike legislation. - Support Partners on Additional Advocacy
BWCT is eager to support our partners on additional advocacy efforts. Topics may include coordinating on safety and education campaigns, speed limit policy changes, and Complete Streets advocacy, to name a few.
Action: We will work on an issue-by-issue basis to evaluate opportunities to assist our partners.
2016 Advocacy
HB 5403: Bike Walk CT and Tri-State Transportation Campaign Support HB 5403 on pedestrian & cyclist safety
HB 5403: Bike Walk CT and Tri-State Transportation Campaign Support HB 5403 on pedestrian & cyclist safety
Advocacy Priorities for 2016 - 2017
Download the full document
Download the full document
- Adopt Mode Share Goals for Biking and Walking
If you’d like to see the headline “ConnDOT Announces Goal to Triple Travel by Bicycling and Walking in Connecticut by 2020,” that’s what mode share goals are about. To really move the needle for biking and walking, Connecticut should adopt explicit annual statewide mode share goals for bicycling and walking as modes of active transportation, with targets for 2018, 2020, 2025, and 2030; establish a baseline by end 2016; and conduct annual household surveys thereafter. Massachusetts, California have set mode share goals. So has Portland, OR, which aims to “create the conditions to make bicycling more attractive than driving for trips of three miles or less.” Connecticut should adopt similar goals. - Align Other Relevant State Plans
Connecticut needs to do a better job of aligning relevant state policies, plans, programs—and especially their execution—with complete streets and active transportation goals and policies. Our plans for climate action, transit oriented development, public health, smart growth and Plans of Conservation and Development, greenways, and tourism all need to address active transportation--not as an after-thought, but as a significant part of the plan. Whenever transportation is an overlapping issue, bike ped advocates need to make sure that everybody is pulling in the same direction. - Adopt Sound, Strategic Funding Criteria
Connecticut must fund bike ped projects based on sound, objective, strategic criteria that prioritizes projects based on such factors as congestion mitigation, connectivity, population density, crash patterns, economic impact, social equity, and cost. - Ensure Dedicated State Funding
With Let’s Go CT! calling for $101 million in bike ped funding over five years, Connecticut is making progress on dedicating state funding to bike ped projects. As advocates, we want to see more examples of dedicated state funding for bike ped projects and programs, especially those focused on safety, and eliminating network gaps and increasing access for bicycle networks. - Hold Governments Accountable for Complete Streets
Our complete streets law and state, regional and municipal policies are only as good as their implementation. As advocates, we need to hold state, regional and municipal governments accountable for implementing complete streets law and policy. - Enforce the Vulnerable User Law
Connecticut enacted a vulnerable user law in 2014 but to the best of our knowledge, has never enforced it. As advocates, we need to investigate obstacles to enforcing the law and remove them. - Lead by Example
We’d like to see Connecticut state government leading by example on active transportation through programs for state government. Possibilities include providing bicycle parking for employees and visitors at state offices, promoting bike commuting beyond Bike to Work Day, and having other agencies follow DEEP’s lead in becoming accredited Bike Friendly Businesses. - Set Goals for Reducing Cyclist and Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities and Crashes
In connection with our State Highway Safety Plan, Connecticut should set specific annual goals for reducing and eliminating cyclist and pedestrian traffic fatalities and crashes. Bike Walk Connecticut would like to see the state join the multi-national road traffic safety project known as Vision Zero. Vision Zero aims to end traffic deaths and injuries on our streets and roads. No level of fatality on our streets and roads is inevitable or acceptable. Our Share the Road campaign is our primary public education effort. While it clearly plays into reducing cyclist and pedestrian fatalities, our Share the Road campaign is not the same as advocating for the state to set goals for reducing fatalities. - Monitoring Legislative Proposals: As always, Bike Walk Connecticut must also be on the look out for legislative proposals—good and bad—during the legislative session and respond accordingly.
Some of our prior advocacy work includes:
- Getting the 2015 Bike Bill passed
- Getting the Vulnerable User Bill passed in 2014. We supported advance legislation to protect "vulnerable users" of the roadways each year since 2010. The bill was usually fairly well supported, but but was not brought to a vote in one chamber or another in several legislative sessions. We got the bill passed in 2014.
- Getting the 2009 Complete Streets legislation passed, along with legislation requiring a statewide Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board.
- Getting the 2008 3-Foot Safe Passing law passed, which requires drivers to provide a safe distance of at least 3 feet when overtaking a cyclist.
- While federal transportation funding programs have been in flux, we provided updates to our members and urge them to contact their elected officials.
- Additionally, we work at the state agency level with our Departments of Transportation, Energy & Environmental Protection, Public Health and Economic & Community Development to advance the interests of our growing ranks of cyclists and pedestrians.
