Bike Walk Connecticut
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Board
    • Sponsors
    • Contact
  • News
  • Advocacy
    • Current Advocacy Work
    • Past Advocacy Work
    • Complete Streets >
      • Complete Streets Announcement
      • Public Survey
  • Education
    • Share the Road
    • STR Quiz
    • Walk Audits
    • NACTO Bikeway Design Guide Workshop
  • Events
    • 2022 Discover Olmsted's CT Bicycle Tour
    • Annual Dinner
    • Bike Walk Summit 2015
    • NACTO Bikeway Design Guide Workshop
  • Membership
    • Donate
    • Login
    • Volunteer! >
      • Board Candidates
      • Bike Education Instructors
  • Connecticut Bicycle/Pedestrian Groups
  • Resources
    • Ped & Cyclist Traffic Deaths
    • Resources
    • Complete Streets Resources
    • CT Bike Ped Advisory Board
  • Registration

New Signs Along Simsbury Trail Remind Bicyclists to "Alert When Passing"

9/14/2012

 
Picture
The Town of Simsbury has installed signage along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail that reminds bicyclists to make their presence known when passing slower trail users.

“It’s not uncommon to be walking along the trail or taking a leisurely bike ride and suddenly a faster bicyclist zips by without warning,” said Ann Marie Potter of BikeWalkSimbury!  “Someone could easily get injured.  It’s a safety issue and a matter of courtesy for all trail-users, particularly in more congested sections.”

The green-and-white signs read:  “Cyclists Must Alert When Passing.”  One is posted near the Iron Horse Blvd/Drake Hill Road intersection; the second is along Rte. 315 heading to town center from Tariffville.

“We’re hoping that by raising awareness, more cyclists will remember to announce their presence, especially when they’re going by at a fast clip,” Potter said, noting that signs posted along the trail indicate a maximum speed of 12 mph.

 “Many bicyclists do shout out ‘On Your Left’ or ring a bell to announce that they are passing,” Potter said.  “But many don’t.  It’s a problem out there.”

First Selectman Mary Glassman said that as trail-use increases in popularity, it becomes even more important for cyclists, runners, roller-bladers and walkers to practice courtesy.

“We’re proud to have such a gem running through our community,” she said.  “Each year we see more people of all ages having family time together, just taking in the scenery or getting some exercise,” she said.  “We want everyone to enjoy the trail and be safe, no matter how fast or slow they are travelling.”

Trail courtesy, according to Potter, includes staying to the right and passing on the left.  Walkers or joggers with earphones should be able to hear passersby.  Walkers with dogs should keep a short leash and be aware of passing traffic.  Helmets are encouraged.

“A lot of this is common sense,” Potter said. “All trail-users should have a positive experience when they’re out there enjoying a lovely fall day.”

In 2010, Simsbury was named the first “Bicycle-Friendly Community” in Connecticut at the bronze-level and the town is currently seeking silver-level status.  An announcement is expected in October. Farmington also is seeking the designation, which South Windsor received earlier this year.

 - Contributed by Ann Marie Potter for Bike Walk Simsbury.                                                     


Comments are closed.
    Bike Walk Connecticut
    NEWS

    Send us your bike walk related news and time permitting, we'll do our best to post it.


    Topics

    All
    Advocacy
    Annual Dinner
    Bike Education
    Bike Friendly Communities
    Bike Share
    Bike To School Day
    Bike To Work
    B P A B
    Complete Streets
    Cyclist Safety
    Data Collection
    Discover CT Ride Series
    DOT
    Education
    Elections
    Events
    Federal Funding
    Grants
    In The News
    Legislation
    Media Releases
    Members
    N A C T O
    National Bike Summit
    Natl Bike Challenge
    Newsletter
    Pedestrian Safety
    Public Meetings
    Share The Road
    State Funding
    Summit
    TOD
    Traffic Skills 101
    Trails
    Video
    Volunteer
    Walking
    Walk To School Day

Picture
(c) 2012-2016   Bike Walk Connecticut | PO Box 270149, West Hartford, CT 06127 | bikewalkct@bikewalkct.org

Photo used under Creative Commons from Roebot
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Board
    • Sponsors
    • Contact
  • News
  • Advocacy
    • Current Advocacy Work
    • Past Advocacy Work
    • Complete Streets >
      • Complete Streets Announcement
      • Public Survey
  • Education
    • Share the Road
    • STR Quiz
    • Walk Audits
    • NACTO Bikeway Design Guide Workshop
  • Events
    • 2022 Discover Olmsted's CT Bicycle Tour
    • Annual Dinner
    • Bike Walk Summit 2015
    • NACTO Bikeway Design Guide Workshop
  • Membership
    • Donate
    • Login
    • Volunteer! >
      • Board Candidates
      • Bike Education Instructors
  • Connecticut Bicycle/Pedestrian Groups
  • Resources
    • Ped & Cyclist Traffic Deaths
    • Resources
    • Complete Streets Resources
    • CT Bike Ped Advisory Board
  • Registration