Can't Stop, Won't Stop in Hartford

This is the most momentum for active and sustainable transportation that Hartford has ever seen during the Winter.  Well the most momentum since Colonel Albert Pope was on the scene in the 1890's and saturating Hartford with Columbia bicycles.  A season of abnormally warm weather brought to us by global weirdness has even kept the fair weather riders on the road.  The City of Hartford is waking up to the need for safe and sustainable human powered transportation with new zoning regulations that include an entire chapter on Complete Streets design - just approved in January.

College prep students at Center for Latino Progress just signed up for Earn-a-Bike!

• Weekly DIY Member Hours at BiCi Co. - We are holding these twice a week at 97 Park Street.  Wednesdays from 5:30-8:30pm and Saturdays from 1:30-5:30pm.  You can still become a member by buying in or earn your membership by volunteering 10 hours.  More info here.  Fix your own bike, shadow a mechanic and learn new skills, work on bikes to support BiCi Co. projects, or just hang out and talk about bikes!  Right now BiCi Co. Volunteers are working on a group of bikes for a developing Spring Break week project that we're calling BIKE LIFE - HARTFORD!  Stay tuned for more announcements on that soon.    Volunteers can just show up, but it's helpful if you let us know using this survey what days you are planning to attend.

Kevin learning how to straighten a woefully bent derailleur hanger

• BiCi Co. Women's Committee - Sunday, February 14th, 2pm-3:30pm at 95 Park Street, 2nd Floor - Third meeting of the BiCi Co. Women's Committee.  This committee was formed right up front to address known under representation of women riding bikes.  This is a national issue and by looking around Hartford even worse in our city.  Interested in joining the committee or getting into the loop for meeting notes?  Send your contact info to Tony Cherolis.

The Women's Committee is cranking!

• Friday, February 26th - IceBike (and Walk) to Work.  We're doing this every month in Hartford and East Hartford.  7am-8:30am.  Maddie's in East Hartford, right across from P&W on Main Street.  Ashley's in Hartford on Main Street, just south of Downtown.  Topic for discussion - The snow finally arrived.  Are you running studded tires?  Which kind?  Are they really that magical?  Share the event with your friends with this Facebook Event.

Time to put the studded tires on the cross bike.

• BiCi Co. Earn-a-Bike - Starting end of February.  We're recruiting teens and young adults from age 13 to 19.  This program will run for eight weeks and the teen will leave with a bike they tuned up themselves, a helmet, bike lock, and lights.  The teens will also leave with bicycle maintenance and safety skills and a bit of knowledge about Hartford bicycle history and bicycle science.  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-7:30pm at BiCi Co.  Send contact information for the teen and parent / guardian to Tony Cherolis.

• <<SAVE THE DATE>> Bikes vs Cars, Monday, April 4th - After a sellout Bikes vs Cars movie in January Real Art Ways is bringing it back for a second showing on Monday April 4th.  In addition to the movie, there will be a passel of bicycle advocacy organizations and cycling clubs tabling in the galleries before the movie begins.  Let's sell it out again and park even more bikes on the railing.  Even if you're not seeing the movie, stop by for the expo and chat up your favorite (and new) bike organizations.  RAW is highlighting Earth Day in April at their monthly Creative Cocktail Hour on April 21st.  Check that out too.

Lets keep rolling!  Momentum is a terrible thing to waste.

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Open Streets Hartford

Hartford, the city proper, has an unreasonable amount of potential.  Situated in the middle of a very wealthy ring of suburbs and corporate titans, the city has beautiful buildings and wide streets.  The riverfront paths offer spectacular views and a sheltered piece of nature right next to the bustle of downtown.  The cultural amenities and restaurants are varied and world class.  Our neighborhoods are diverse and rich in restaurants, retail, and housing.

What's holding Hartford back, is the lack of feet and bikes on the street.  The transit system isn't up to snuff - yet.  The current street system is set up as a sluice and sewer system for cars.  A flood of suburban employees drive in each morning and flood back out each evening.  If this flowed smoothly like water, we would never have a chance to move to a different solution.  Fortunately cars flow like chaotic gravel being shaken through a funnel.  When the number of cars gets too high, the funnel clogs up and the cars stop.  Stop and go.  Stop and fume.  It's frustrating, and these suburban commuters are waiting for a better solution.  The continuing growth of downtown living options and healthy occupancy rates are evidence of the pent up demand for options to the suburban norm.

In order to reach the economic bustle needed to support the city's overall budget, we need to radically change the script.  How can a city expose suburban dwellers to the wonders of urban living?  Can we demonstrate to the transportation planners a radically different streetscape with humans at the center instead of cars?  With the slow moving changes to infrastructure, it is difficult to imagine levels of improvement that leapfrog out of the car-centric paradigm.  How can Hartford make that jump?  How can the city share the vision widely, before the infrastructure has actually changed?

With vision, and buy in, very significant changes have happened before.  In 1973 the Netherlands banned cars on Sundays.  The ban was due to the oil embargo and only lasted a couple of months, but they never looked back.  The alternative mode share in the Netherlands that exceeds 50% leads to a much more pleasant and human scale built environment.  Everyone that visits the Netherlands comes back changed, and asking questions.  Why can't the US (the really sad bar on the far right) move away from single occupancy vehicle travel?  In Hartford we can't change the entire country, but we can effect local change.  The urban centers are leading the way because we have the most to gain economically from moving to a greater share of transit, biking, and walking.

Source: Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute, IETT Professional Development Workshop, Istanbul, June 14th, 2015

After cycling through Philadelphia during the recent Pope visit and the resulting unplanned Open Streets day, I can see the leap.  It was a magical experience.  The streets were chock full of pedestrians and cyclists enjoying all that the city had to offer - and spending their money locally.  Transportation advocates are rightly calling on additional Open Streets (AKA Ciclovia) days in Philadelphia.  Cities across the country are incorporating Open Streets events, and inviting humans back into the roadway.  Here is a short list.  The list is not inclusive.  There are over 80 Open Streets events in the US.  There is an Open Streets guide and there was a national training and summit for cities looking to hold events based on this model.

• Chicago - Bike the Drive - Started in 2004
• Los Angeles - CicLAvia - Started in 2010.
• NYC - Summer Streets - Coordinated by the NY DOT!  Started in 2014.
• Fargo, ND - StreetsAlive!
• Boston - Circle the City

Here's the vision.  I-Quilt and Envisionfest have coordinated an action packed weekend to promote the dense activities on a Saturday in Hartford.  Let's combine Envisionfest, the CT Cycling Festival, and an Open Streets event to take that vision one step further, a leap really.  Close down a significant number of Hartford streets to through traffic on the day of these events and invite our neighbors to experience the city on a human scale.  Coordinate with the businesses and cultural institutions along and near the route to remain open on the weekend day (or days).  Bring all our city's amenities and connections to bear and lets have Open Streets.  It will take some planning and a boatload of publicity.  Target Envisionfest 2017.  Bring in state and regional funding, because we know that many of the attendees would be coming in from the burbs.  NYC Summer Streets is partially funded by the DOT! 

Once Hartford and the region has "flipped the script" by exposing diverse folks to the beauty of a walkable, bike-able, and car-light urban environment, it will be a much easier discussion when we talk about reduced parking requirements for apartment buildings.  Deleting a parking lane and implementing road diets will be championed as progress.  Reducing the cost of development (less parking cost) along with raising the tax rate on surface parking lots will fill in Hartford's vast parking deserts.  Let's do this!

Thursday, Nov 12th - There is a CT Rides Business Forum.  Send this link to your suburban coworkers and corporate human resources directors.  Breakfast is included and you'll learn about the multiple, enjoyable transportation options available for Hartford employees.  The forum was organized by CT Rides.  By spreading the word, you're doing your part to make change in Hartford's mode share.

SAVE THE DATE, Slow Roll, Dec 6th - The last Slow Roll of 2015 is planned for Sunday, December 6th.  Yes.  You can ride a bike in December.  Put gloves on and have a great time!  We'll be rolling to a local establishment after the ride to warm up and socialize.  Put it on your calendar now, and keep an eye on the BiCi Co Facebook page for additional details.

Important side note - As Hartford moves forward with developments, we need to be aware of the negative effects of gentrification.  There are ways that Hartford developments can serve our entire population, not just the new, well-heeled arrivals.  Here's a good article on countering the negative effects of gentrification - 9 Ways Privileged People Can Reduce the Negative Impact of Gentrification.  The article makes some good points, but it doesn't include the requirement (or set asides) for "affordable housing" in new developments.  As we approach gentrification in Hartford, it can happen quickly, new projects should be looked at critically as a system if they create a core downtown where service workers can't live.  If you look at downtown rents, we are already there.  When that exclusive rent level reaches the neighborhoods, it will push thousands into the suburbs where their access to jobs and services will be degraded.  Transit sucks in the suburbs.  Jobs are further apart.  Cars are expensive and not affordable on a minimum wage full time salary.

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BiCi Co. - Your November Event Calendar

There are a lot of bicycle related events coming up, and calendars can be confusing for some of us (including me).  Here's a short list of the events that you need to know about, particularly those that have to do with Bicycles and BiCi Co.  It feels like a wonderful November Bike-nado.

Cleaning up in our community - BiCi Co.

• Recurring Weekly in November - Demo DIY Bicycle Repair Hours at BiCi Co. (More Info)  Learn to change a tire, adjust a derailleur, or tighten that loose thingy.  We've got you covered, and you will get your hands dirty.
• Wednesdays from 5:30-8:30pm.  Starting on October 21st.  No hours on November 25th due to holiday weekend.
• Saturdays from 1:30-5:30pm.  Starting on November 7th.  No hours on November 28th due to holiday weekend.
• This is your opportunity to sample (for free!) what it would be like to be a BiCi Co. member.
• Local Music and BiCi Co. Social at Hook and Ladder.  Saturday, Nov 7th.  7-10pm at 209 Main Street.   Drink specials.  P.O.S.S.M playing great music, and a hug from Tony C for anyone that walks or bikes there.
• CT Rides Business Forum.  Thursday, Nov 12th.  8-10am, includes a light breakfast.  Learn about your commute options in Hartford.  A forum with local alternative transportation experts.  Great for employees and employers.  (More Info & Registration)
• Wetherfield Ave. Has a Bike Lane.  Thursday, Nov 12th @ Noon.  Come over to the Wethersfield Ave entrance to Colt park at Noon for a photo op and "thank you" to the Hartford DPW for working with the neighborhood organizations that requested bike lanes.   For all the griping and complaining, we'd like to offset a little with our hearty thanks.  For maximum effect, show up on bike - duh!  (Facebook Event)
• BiCi Co. Neighborhood Cleanup! Sunday, November 15th.  10am-1pm.  Meet at 97 Park Street.  Bicicletas and Communidad.  Bicycles and community.  BiCi Co. is reaching out to our friends, neighbors, and fellow bike riders to help clean up Park Street and the South Green neighborhood.  Let's put some shine on before winter hits and covers us up with snow.  Knox Inc. provides the supplies, we supply the human power! (Facebook event)
• Creative Cocktail Hour at Real Art Ways, Thursday, November 19th.  Join Hartford Prints and BiCi Co. at RAW.  "The best of everything Real Art Ways has to give: innovative art, invigorating music, and hundreds of the most interesting and open-minded people to share the experience." (More Info)
• Bike Walk CT Annual Dinner, Friday, November 20th at CCSU, 5:30pm.  Silent auction.  Nominate for People's Choice awards.  Featured speaker - the inspiring Colleen Kelly Alexander.  BiCi Co will be there and provided two "BiCi Co. Family Memberships" for the silent auction.  And the silent auction is choice!  Great for holiday shopping.
• Hartford Cranksgiving, Saturday, November 21st - In its fourth year, this all family friendly event collects food to donate for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Ride fast or slow, but make sure to bring a way to carry the groceries.  (Register Here)
• Final Slow Roll of 2015 and BiCi Co. Social.  Sunday, December 6th. Save the date.  More info soon.  Stay tuned to the BiCi Co. Facebook Page.

Don't forget to share the BiCi Co. Membership and Fundraising Campaign with all your bicycle loving friends!  We are depending on your invaluable grassroots publicity to get the word out.

Cyclists drink locally!

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Why Bike Culture Matters in Hartford

Things start to happen when the voters and organizations in Hartford demonstrate that they are a coordinated group with agreed upon goals.  Transport Hartford is a loosely moderated discussion group on Facebook, less than a year old, but the topics discussed and suggestions made have already influenced transportation projects in Hartford and beyond.  Discussions from Transport Hartford get printed up and handed to state legislators.

VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd

If a candidate for mayor or city council doesn't talk intelligently about transportation, do they know how cities actually work?

Day of voter registration is available at Hartford City Hall.

Slow Roll rides start in Parkville and twice a month (1st and 3rd Sundays) wander Hartford streets.  The rides have organically connected existing bicycle riders and introduced newer cyclists to the ease of cycling for transportation (and fun) in our city.  The rides are sometimes rolling meetings where the next infrastructure comment session or new business tumbles about in conversation as riders pair, separate, and pair again. New bike lanes are explored.  Parks and street routes not obvious to a newer rider are shared.  Speed dating and strategizing, all in the same group.

Increased bike parking at Hartford Public Library

The Hartford Public Library gets more bike parking to serve their large percentage of bicycle mounted clients.  Bike parking gets installed in a small park by the court house when jurors complain about no available bike parking.  Wethersfield Avenue deletes a parking lane and adds bike lanes that serve Colt Park, Bulkeley High School, and is an active transportation gateway to the Southend.  Zion Street and Farmington Avenue add bike lanes.  The Sigourney Street redesign pull in local Complete Streets experts and advocates to evaluate options including a protected bikeway.  Draft updated zoning regulations include forward thinking street types that serve pedestrian and bicycle travel modes.  The I-84 redesign public comment sessions and the working groups all include pedestrian and bicycling advocates.  A Complete Streets Challenge Team, formed by the city, is meeting monthly to identify and push actions that improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.  All these incremental, but real changes.  Before long, I predict that Hartford will even have a network of connected (and safer) cross city bicycle routes.  With engaged leadership, a blossoming and inclusive bike culture, and grass roots organizing, very real changes can take place within three to five years.

Bike parking added to a park near the court house

The Center for Latino Progress is starting a community bike space, BiCi Co., with youth programs and DIY bike repair.  In 2016, BiCi Co. will be offering used bicycles, parts, and accessories for sale.  Many months before BiCi Co. started, a group of local cyclists and advocates were discussing how to best bring a bike shop back to Hartford.  That group found a wonderful partner in the Center for Latino Progress, and can't wait to bring this vision of a membership, teaching bike shop to fruition.

BiCi Co. now has Demo Member Hours to introduce folks to Do It Yourself repair.  Learn new bike repair skills.  Get started as a BiCi Co. Volunteer.  Just hang out and talk about bikes.  The Demo Member Hours are very informal.  For those that haven't been here yet, we're at 97 Park Street.  Enter via the alley to the right of the building.  You don't have to be a member to attend these demo hours.

Demo Member Hours!

Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30pm (except Nov 25th)

Saturdays, 1:30-5:30pm (except Nov 28th)

Support BiCi Co. Here!

For now, enter BiCi Co. via the alley.

Would this be happening without grass roots organizing?  No.  It wouldn't.  Hartford would be stuck in the car-centric street design rut that has until now held the city back.  Streets that aren't safe enough to ride leave all city residents with limited mobility options.  Supporting and growing the advocacy organizations, discussion groups, informal riding groups, and the BiCi Co. project will carry this momentum forward.  Winter is a time for preparing, planning, and ready-making for the re-explosion of cycling that occurs every early spring.  Don't go into hibernation.  The CT DOT projects don't get shelved when the temperature drops.  Public comment sessions continue year round, just like the cyclists on our city streets that don't have the economic luxury of a personal vehicle.  Stay engaged, and help these efforts root even stronger.

Invitation - Come learn about BiCi Co. while enjoying live, local music on Saturday, November 7th.  Hook and Ladder is just two blocks from the BiCi Co. Park Street location.  Bicycle commuters support our local economy, especially when beer is involved.  We'll see you there.  Show up on foot or bicycle and Tony C will give you a free hug!

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I Saw the Sign, It Opened Up My Mind

The title for this article is not just the lyric for a 90’s pop song.  Signs, and their placement, make a world of difference. If you can’t find it, it doesn’t exist for you.  Unless you are interested in obsolescence and avoiding the majority of those interested in your city or product, pay attention to signs.  I’ve noticed in my recent travels that many cities do signage in a more proactive way than Hartford, Connecticut.  Particularly from the viewpoint of a pedestrian or cyclist, there isn’t much to guide you in getting around Hartford and the near suburbs.  Finding the best route from point A-to-B, say for a work commute, usually involves internet research, asking local experts, and then testing the route out on the weekend to determine if you’ll become roadkill when you brave the trip during a morning commute.  In Columbus for example, there were several bike signed routes crisscrossing the city that included bike lanes, multi-use paths, and shared use roads (with Sharrows).

Learning up on history.  This sign was about the Homestead Strike.

The 2014 Parks Plan proposed (and was accepted by the City) a signed and color coded system of bike routes throughout Hartford, connecting the parks, and more importantly providing clear cross town routes for those choosing to make their way via bicycle.  This portion of the parks plan was the only section that received applause during the Parks Plan presentation and public comment session.  Since being adopted very little has been done to implement that beautiful and forward thinking concept.  Hartford residents, cyclists, and Parks users should continue to ask the City (City Council, Hartford’s Mayor, and the Department of Public Works) what they are doing to achieve the vision set out in that plan.

The East Coast Greenway runs directly through Hartford.  This is a nationally significant bicycle route connecting the entire East Coast, from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida.  A significant portion of the trail (~30%) is on multi-use paths and that non-road share is growing.  The purpose of the trail is to provide safe and enjoyable routes connecting cities all along the Eastern seaboard.   The cities and states that embrace these non-car multi-use routes get benefits galore.  Weekend recreational users come from the nearby areas to take short trips, shop, and dine at the nearby restaurants.  Organized regional bike tours choose those cities for tour stops, filling up hotel rooms and restaurants.  Bicycle and hiking tour books list those trails and cities, drawing in out of state visitors that come from all over to experience the day trips and loop rides from a convenient central location.  Cross country cyclists, the tail of the bell curve, carry a lot of weight when making recommendations to others on where to ride – and where not to ride.

I bring up the East Coast Greenway because it is pathetic how little and sparse the signs are for the route in the Hartford metro region.  The East Coast Greenway Alliance has provided signs, and the local committee has valiantly hung them, but they are small and far between.  There isn’t a “Hartford Welcomes the East Coast Greenway” sign on Founders Bridge or at the Bloomfield border, and there aren’t signs directing ECG users to the nearby shopping and restaurants downtown.  Signs noting that there are temporary lockers for panniers at the Science Center and Wadsworth Atheneum would free riders up to economically cavort around the city with their bikes and locks alone.  A half dozen clearly labeled “bike lockers” located on Founders Plaza could be used by commuting employees and bicycle tourists alike.   This is a ripe opportunity for the Hartford Business Improvement District.  Spend a couple thousand dollars bragging about what you’ve already got and shout about the existing East Coast Greenway.  Pull folks off the riverfront and into your business establishments, and advertise that Hartford is welcoming to those that come to town via bicycle.

  

The Gold Street realignment would have improved the East Coast Greenway connection between the Hartford Club and Bushnell Park, but the expensive overreach of the project and a NIMBY short sighted condo board squashed that plan.  There are several infrastructure projects on deck in East Hartford (see page 19 of the linked PDF) that will massively improve the ECG route.  Connecting the multi-use path from Forbes Street to Simmons in the I-84 corridor is one of them.  The CT DOT is also looking at a way to connect Riverside Drive to the dirt road that comes off of the Route 2 off ramp.  Riding up the off ramp to the dirt road is a favorite non-road alternative to Main Street, but you run the chance of getting collared by the state police.  Closing that 400 yard gap shouldn’t be difficult, until you consider that it involves working with both the CT DOT and Pratt and Whitney.

  

Despite wrangling a $500,000,000 tax deal Pratt & Whitney (or someone at UTC corporate HQ) is against routing the East Coast Greenway from Pratt & Whitney Field and down Willow Street.  P&W is building a supposedly “green” engineering headquarters right on Willow Street.  One would wonder why a company trumpeting their environmental chops is against the best routing of a sustainable transportation connection for the both their employees and the community.  UTC just moved its headquarters out of Hartford to Farmington, where the amazing Farmington Valley Trail provides all the benefits that I’ve described above to the towns it passes through. I encourage folks at P&W, UTC, and the Town of East Hartford to ask about the plans and where they stand.  If you’re not asking for it, it will never arrive.

IMPORTANT NOTE - The other huge thing that affects the route of the East Coast Greenway is the I-84 Redesign.  This is the biggest infrastructure and public works project that Hartford will see in our lifetimes.  There is a public comment session next Tuesday (Sept 22nd) in Hartford at the Lyceum.  Go there.  Be loud.  Verbally and in writing include the importance of Complete Streets and the Greenway.  Can't make the meeting, you can still comment online.

Obvious sign showing the way.  Come spend money here.  And I did.

This type of sign is common along the gap.  Where the local amenities are.  Spend money guide map.

That being said, there are already amazing trails in the Hartford metro area that are woefully under-utilized.  Why?  Because there aren’t any signs and the publicity of those resources is non-existent. Only those that read the Beat Bike Blog know about these multi-use paths and trails.  I’ll list a few below:

• The Hockanum River Path – Part of the East Coast Greenway.  You can pick this up at the end of the East Hartford Great River Park trail or jump on behind East Hartford Town Hall.
• The Charter Oak Greenway – This path starts on Forbes Street just a block North of Silver Lane and follows the I-84 / I-384 corridor.  You can ride to Wickham Park on a spur or go straight to downtown Manchester.  This trail almost connects to the Hop River Trail between Manchester and Willimantic.  
• The East Hartford and Hartford multi-use paved paths along the riverfront.  There are several miles of paved paths along both sides of the river.
• North-South off road trails along the dikes and Connecticut River.  One can ride all the way from Hartford North to Windsor on off road trails – on both sides of the river.  Heading South from Great mountain biking right from Downtown Hartford.
• Mountain Biking in Keney Park – Right in our back yard.  Easy carriage paths and rather technical single track.  Keney is such a big park you could camp there for a week without bothering anyone.
• The I-91 overpass between North Downtown and Hartford's Riverside Park.  I wrote a whole article about that under used connection.
• The trail system from New Haven to Westfield, MA.  This nearly cross state route only has a few gaps remaining.  This is also part of the East Coast Greenway route.
• The 5 miles of trail along CT Fastrak between Newington Junction and Downtown New Britain.  

What do we do about this lack of signs?  I suggest we make our own.  I’m tired of waiting for cities, committees, and the DOT to turn their broken rusty gears.  I would love to see Hartford Prints design and hang their own way finding signs that takes walking and biking visitors from Bushnell Park, Downtown North, and the Founders Bridge to Pratt Street.  Hartford Prints could then offer "way finding sign design services" to the other businesses clamoring for the exposure to directed and hungry foot traffic.

Sign for Round Bottom Campground.  I like signs.

Free camping trail side.  Round Bottom!  Like both.

Listed below are other "proactive" things I’ve noticed while riding the Great Allegheny Passage, an economic engine for many cities along its route.  The more of these we do along the Connecticut East Coast Greenway route, the better.

• Camping.  Informal, free (or cheap) primitive camping at ~10 to 15 mile intervals.  These sites are maintained by the local park district or volunteers.  The lean-to shelters are for through hikers and bikers only and are built by the local scout troops.  This would be an ideal amenity in the Riverfront Park on either the East Hartford or Hartford side.  Cyclists that stay at the shelters are guaranteed to stop in your city for groceries, tourist activities, and restaurants.  They’ll also wax ecstatically about the awesomeness of your city to friends.  Examples – Connellsville, PA has 4 lean-to shelters on a grassy rise outside their business district.  I ate a huge breakfast there and they just got free advertising.  Confluence, PA has $5 hiker / biker camping at the city campground, walking distance from the city center.
• Obvious and advertised lodging, hotels, and bed and breakfast directly along the route.
• Mileage signs along the route letting you know how far you are from nearby cities and amenities such as lodging, restaurants, and bike shops.
• Warm Showers hosts to provide options to budget bike tourists.  These bike tourists are usually on a tight budget.  If you can’t get their hotel dollars, they’ll still eat in your city.  Hartford fortunately has an active group of WS hosts, but it would be good to get more of them along the route in other Connecticut ECG cities.
• Connectivity.  Connect the damn segments.  Even if there are on road segments.  Put up clear signs that hook trails into each other so that folks don't have to guess - or miss the connection altogether.

Let’s all see the signs – and where we don’t – we’ll create them ourselves.

Mckeesport.  A narrow bike way under a building overhang, next to rail.  Creative!

While leaving Mckeesport, PA outside of Pittsburgh on the GAP trail I noticed many creative infrastructure solutions that accomodated a multi-use path on a constrained or otherwise challenged corridor.  I challenge the CT DOT and Hartford's DPW to stop being whiners about "corridor width" and look to other cities for solutions.  Part of the solution is a city (and businesses) that cooperate.  We're all in this together.  If mountainous Pittsburgh can be a bike friendly city (with winter, cobblestones, and so many rivers), Hartford has it damn easy.

An unused (so far) rail bridge connection.  I chilled here for a bit.

Can you spot the coal seam?  

Learning about coal from a sign.  Holding in your hand is akin to reading porn.

I'm not sure why, but touch coal feels illicit.  I just want to burn it and act like a romping caveman.  So much history, geologic and human, in that small handful.  And so much slow destruction of our climate.

Entrance to a mine... that horizontal sliver.

Peeking into the mine.  Rotten timbers support the rocks above.  

Ohiopyle is beautiful!

This summer we most definitely made signs for BiCi Co.  You won't catch us under publicizing a new Hartford gem!

Summer BiCi Co service project - Painting signs with Brendan Gingras!

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An Ode to Ohio

Side note - On the day I left on my trip Margo Lynn caught me at breakfast and had me model a knit hat for this Mountain Man competition.  It looks like I'm climbing in the polls, but need your votes to reach the top.  Any winnings will go to BiCi Co.  You can vote once a day for the next week.  Just "skip" the initial pop up and vote for the guy that looks like the photo below.  The theme is fitting as I'm a day away from riding across West Virginia to Pittsburgh.  Ouch.

Vote early and often for your favorite mountain man.

After suffering through Kentucky, the Ohio River Valley route has been a dream.   Starting in Cincinnati through this morning in Portsmouth, Ohio I was almost entirely on route 52.  I was a bit worried that the route would be busy with truck traffic and repeat the Kentucky experience, but I've been pleasantly surprised.  Most of the mileage has had a comfortably sized shoulder allowing me an informal bike lane.  The drivers, car and truck, have been courteous and are passing at a comfortable distance.  Hard to believe that just across the river in Kentucky you'll find a backwards third world nation state of dangerous rednecks.  Don't go there.

A lot of my Ohio River Valley riding looks like this.

I heard that the Ohio DOT has been making strides in Complete Streets design that started when the director from Columbus moved up to the state DOT.  I can believe it.  The Ohio to Erie route from Northeast Ohio to the Southwest Ohio corner was amazing, with much of it on paved multi-use paths.  Even this southern state route 52 hugging the Ohio River is a pleasant ride.  Ohio is rightfully ranked 19th for bike friendliness, leaps and bounds ahead of Kentucky (49th).  Check out the Ohio DOT website for bicycle route information.  Ohio also has 12 bicycle region coordinators identified on their website.  For comparison, only one person on the Connecticut DOT has this role.

Portsmouth is a bike friendly landing spot for lunch after my stealth camp last night off a steep logging road in the Shawnee State Forest.  Portsmouth is an early stop on the TOSRV ride, and they have a large bike mural on the flood wall.  In fact, the entire flood wall is adorned with high quality murals.  A neat little town.

TOSRV mural on the Portsmouth, OH flood wall

Even in the Pea Soup fog, drivers have been courteous in Ohio.

This goes to show that it's about leadership.  A city and state with leaders that appreciate sustainable transportation can really improve things.  Keep this in mind when you're voting.  What are the candidates saying about transportation, biking, walking, and transit?  We spend a lot of time and resources getting from point A-to-B, so our elected leaders should be up to speed on the topic.  If they look at you like you're speaking French when you talk about Complete Streets, they shouldn't be in charge.

U.S. Grant whupped up on the Confederates.  Hooahh! Y'all lost.

Unfortunately, Utopia was a failed experiment.

Sometimes you find your camp spots in the most curious locations.  You might stay in a national forest campground, like the Vesuvius Recreation Area.   Other times you may be in a riverside city park in the ghost town of Cheshire, OH.  The local power plant bought up all the homes and businesses and tore most of them down to prevent future law suits against the coal fired plant in their backyard.   The funny part is, most of the mercury and pollution heads downwind.  Can these power plants buy off the entire Northeast?

Historic hot blast furnace at Vesuvius.  Coal and ore in them there hills.

Cheshire, OH.  View from my camp at the local park.

Entering Pomeroy, OH.  Creative treatment of a concrete retaining wall.

Bridge from Pomeroy to West Virginia - worth a stop.

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I'll Bet on a Casino to Finish the East Coast Greenway

East Hartford will do pretty much anything to lure developers and tax money into town.  There are plans for outlet malls in the old airfield.  Now they are courting a casino development at the shuttered movie theater. A traffic study was completed to determine if the nearby infrastructure could handle the traffic from adding a casino.  Of course there is capacity.  The streets are designed to handle the rush hour traffic from Pratt & Whitney's heyday.  The streets are capable of funneling hordes of UCONN fans home after the seven home games each year at Rentschler Field.  The issue isn't capacity.  The issue is safety for those in the community using these streets everyday.  Silver Lane and the surrounding streets are the opposite of "Complete Streets".

Can East Hartford turn a gamble into sustainable infrastructure?

Is there a silver lining for Silver Lane?  If you've ever bicycled or walked along Silver Lane (AKA State Route 502) you've found it to be a harrowing experience.  The street is designed with the bygone philosophy to maximize speed and flow of cars, with little consideration of how it impacts the non-vehicular road users.  When the road was repaved about a decade ago there was an opportunity to incorporate a road diet and bike lanes, but the CT DOT decided to maintain the full complement of two lanes in each direction to satisfy the peak usage during UCONN games.  Punishing a neighborhood with a a dangerous road design for traffic volumes that only happen on seven days a year shows that there is something wrong with your priorities.  The hilarious part is that the road is marked out with cones during peak game traffic anyway.  Why not stripe the road for everyday use, and put cones up on game days?  Answer - because CT DOT.

The East Coast Greenway through East Hartford needs to be completed.  This parallel East-West route would provide a safe, convenient, and attractive multi-use path for cyclists, walkers, and the disabled.  The East Coast Greenway is a national route, much of it separated from vehicle traffic, and it is making great strides toward completion in Connecticut.  There are two East Hartford CT DOT Projects that could complete segments in the existing gap between Forbes street and Great River Park.  The holdout is Pratt & Whitney.  Despite up to $500,000,000 in state tax benefits lined up for the construction of a new, sustainable, engineering building on Willow Street, United Technologies / Pratt & Whitney does not support the preferred route of the East Coast Greenway on Willow Street.  As a CT taxpayer and former P&W employee, I'm rather confused by the corporate stand on this great project?  There are so many benefits that it isn't worth recounting them here.

A multi-use path parallel to Willow Street is the best route.

Pratt & Whitney has a growing group of bicycle commuters that wish they had safer streets surrounding their large campus.  Main Street and Silver Lane are barriers to increasing sustainable commuting further than grizzled vehicular cyclists.  Pratt & Whitney was awarded a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business recognition in 2014.  In order to take it to the next level, both P&W and the Town of East Hartford need to start addressing Complete Streets design, safety, and connectivity for all road users.

In the interest of promoting bike commuting in Hartford metro, there are a bevy of Bike to Work Breakfast events in the coming weeks.  One of them right across Main Street from Pratt and Whitney.  You can "Pledge" to ride to work in May with Bike Walk Connecticut.

• Friday, 5/15. Hartford:  Hosted by Bike Walk Connecticut.  7:30AM to 9:00AM.  Old State House.  Open to public.  This one is specific to bike commuters.
• Thursday, 5/21. East Hartford:  Hosted by Pratt & Whitney and Goodwin College. 6:30AM to 9:00AM.  339 Main Street. Open to public.  The East Hartford event is welcoming bike commuters, walkers, transit users, car pool.  Pretty much anyone but single occupancy vehicle travelers.  Try something different - www.ctrides.com. 
• Bike to Work Meetups - Groups riding in together to the breakfast events.

Now what?  Take some action.

• Contact Mayor Leclerc and the East Hartford Town Council.  Let them know you are interested in Complete Streets and the completion of the East Coast Greenway route.
• Get involved with the Pratt & Whitney Cycling Club and see what you can do to convince Pratt & Whitney executives that the East Coast Greenway route on Willow Street is an amazing opportunity for the company, the community, and the region.
• Contact the CT DOT and ask how Silver Lane and Main Street are being redesigned as Complete Streets?  There is a Complete Streets policy on the books now at the DOT, and the next time they repave there is an opportunity to make real improvements for the safety of all road users.

Bonus Material - Got a couple minutes?  Fill out this Transit Oriented Development (TOD) survey and note the lack of bike racks and bike lanes.  Also note the lack of blue collar and manufacturing development.

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Here they come! Fair weather bikes join the party.

Hey y'all.  Wanted to share the following, since you're starting to think about bikes again.  The Spring Bike Frenzy is a seasonal disorder in CT.  Bikes are assumed by many to be seasonal, unless one happens to be poor.  We do love our fair weather bicycle compatriots, and understand that it's only a matter of time until the seasonal disorder deteriorates into a year round chronic illness.  Once that fabulous day comes, we'll have less S.A.D. and better cycling conditions for all - year round.

NEXT WEEK - The Connecticut Bike Walk Summit.  Thursday (4/23) is for city employees and Friday (4/24) is for advocates and ordinary cyclists.  This year the summit is nearby in Wethersfield.  You have to register online, and it's only $45 for Bike Walk CT members.  The summit includes lunch and an optional afternoon ride.  I've been to past summits, and I always come away on fire to make change.

NEXT WEEK - Bike (and Walk) to Work Breakfasts in Hartford and East Hartford.   On Wednesday (4/22) an informal group will be meeting before work to chat and socialize at friendly local diners.  Both establishments are "cash only" and have an ATM onsite for your convenience.  By the way, this is Earth Day.  What better day to promote healthy and sustainable transportation.

• 7:00AM-8:30AM at Maddie's in East Hartford.  On Main Street right across from P&W.  Next to Subway.
• 7:00AM-8:30AM at Ashley's in Hartford.  On Main Street just South of Downtown, adjacent to the Hook and Ladder restaurant.
• Discussion Topic - Let's keep talking about the East Coast Greenway.  How do we keep this on the front burner? East Hartford projects and the I-84 redesign can make significant progress towards closing the gaps.

Can't wait for the East Coast Greenway to go down Willow Street!

NEXT SATURDAY (4/25) - Detour de Connecticut.  This FREE, informal ride has been happening the last Saturday of the month for several years now.  If you go the whole distance, it's about 118 miles with half the distance on dirt and trails.  More info and cue sheets on the website.  If you like the D2R2 or other gravel grinder type rides, this is for you.  Bring lights, cash, and energy dense food.  The rain date is Sunday, and you can keep an eye on the blog to see if the date shifted.  Personally, I'm hoping for the rain date because I'm otherwise engaged on Saturday.

After finishing my first Detour in 2013.  

For those with a long attention spans, I want you to put this on your calendar now.  Last year was the first year for the Wethersfield Bike Swap, and we're excited to see it return.  Saturday, June 6th.  Save the date.  If you're interested in vending or displaying show bikes, contact Tom Brown.

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Connecticut is Weak on Bicycle Friendly Businesses

First, I'd like to congratulate the six (6) companies in Connecticut that have been recognized as Bicycle Friendly Businesses.  They have started looking past the immediate horizon and realize that active transportation improves the health and attitude of employees, lowers their cost of living, supports locally focused community and businesses, puts less wear and tear on the roads and parking lots, and is goodness for employee retention.

Many Connecticut corporations and small companies pay no mind to how their employees get to work.  That is reflected in our state's marked under representation in the Bicycle Friendly Business listing.   Of the 150 new BFB's in 2014, only two (2) are from Connecticut.  Of the 800+ total BFB's, you'll only find six (6) - listed below.  For comparison to a similarly sized state in our region, Massachusetts has thirty-two (32) BFB's.  For such a swaggering bikey city that New Haven isn't better represented with more Bicycle Friendly Businesses.

What surprises me is that more companies haven't recognized the benefits.  So focused are we on the next quarter profits, or the next month's business expenses, that we're giving away the long game (and future benefits) of workplaces that step away from the 1-to-1 ratio of parking spots to employees.  Not even considering the catastrophic global weirdness that may be creeping out of scientific predilection and into our weather patterns, there are almost immediate benefits for employers that promote alternates to single occupancy vehicle travel.  Bicycles aren't the only option - car pooling, transit, walking, and telecommuting.  There are oodles of ways to reduce our transportation impacts, while improving quality of life.

Enough negativity for now. Here are the 2014 Bicycle Friendly Businesses in CT.  Congratulations!  You stand out in Connecticut for actually making an effort.  It's an easy application to fill out, and in 2014 it was free to apply.  Let's do better next round Connecticut!

2014 Connecticut Bicycle Friendly Businesses 

• [SILVER] Bicycles East, Glastonbury (new in 2014)
• [SILVER] REI - West Hartford (since 2012)
• [BRONZE] Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven (since 2013)
• [BRONZE] CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hartford (since 2012)
• [BRONZE] Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford (new in 2014)
• [BRONZE] Whitcraft LLC, Eastford (since 2011)

League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly Business Program, Bicycle Friendly Community Program

Connecticut's website promoting alternate commutes - www.CTrides.com

Simple ways to make your company more Bike Friendly:

• Visible and convenient bike parking.  If you can put it under an overhang or patio, that's ideal.  Bike parking near the main entry doors, and more convenient than the surface parking lots advertises that your company respects and promotes human powered transportation.
• Put up some Share the Road signs.  After P&W put up Share the Road signs on the roads looping our campus, my negative vehicle interfaces fell dramatically.  
• Showers and lockers.  I've got a short commute, so I don't need a shower when I arrive by bike.  Many potential bike commuters with longer commutes or lower fitness levels may feel that a shower is required to polish up before tackling the work day.
• Bike Commuting, Telecommuting, Transit, and Carpooling Info Sessions.  Schedule and hold lunch and learn sessions that highlight the options and allow your local experts (and outside advocates) to share best practices and safety tips.
• Hold a Bike to Work Day or breakfast event (bagels and coffee) at your campus or support your local Bike to Work Day.

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