According to the Federal Department of Transportation the transportation sector is the leading cause of greenhouse gasses (GHG), making up 28%. According to the American Lung Association’s 2024 State of the Air Fairfield County has some of the worst air quality in the nation. This is an equity issue as the report notes that “People of color were 2.3 times as likely as white people to live in a county with 3 failing grades.”
Walking and biking reduce energy use, improve air quality, reduce parking needs and traffic, improve personal health and fitness and invigorate the local economy through increased access to local businesses and tourism. We can achieve these community‐wide benefits through institutional planning and enforcement.
Achievements to Date
- Town-wide bike route plan
- Four completed bike routes including Shoreline, Mill Plain, Library to Library, Lake Mohegan to Beach and Greenfield Hill route
- Eight bicycle pump/repair stations
- In 2018, published Approved Complete Streets policy, which was “Top Ten” ranked nationally by Smart Growth America
- Numerous education and outreach events and activities
- In the October 2023 RTM meeting, the town passed A Safe and Livable Streets Ordinance, which includes the appointment of a Complete Streets Coordinator
- Fairfield has been awarded $350,000 as part of the Safe Streets for All Planning Grant
- $681,900 grant for adding sidewalks new McKinley Elementary School awarded via Department of Transportation’s Community Connectivity Grant Program July 2024
- 2x/annual “Bike Buses” at two elementary schools, Stratfield and Osborn Hill. Riverfield Elementary School plans to begin in the fall
- The Four Corners project near Stratfield Elementary School, adding brick crosswalks and green islands to ensure safer crossing for students
- Sidewalk improvements and expansions throughout the town
Challenges Ahead
- Continued expansion of bike routes
- Implementation of the Complete Streets plan
- Installation of more sidewalks to expand safe walking alternatives
- Excessive speed of cars
- The town plans to join the Vision Zero pledge in the year ahead
- Hiring a Complete Streets Coordinator
- Bring more bike and walk events to Fairfield Public Schools
- Improving road design to bring safety for all users, including the introduction of bike lanes
Benefits of Biking and Walking
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change
- Reduced congestion and toxic emissions from burning of fossil fuels
- Improved air quality and public health
- Savings on personal transportation costs
- Reduced pressure on Town land use for parking resources
- Economic benefits for local businesses
- Stronger sense of community
2030 Plan Goals
- Implement at least three new routes pursuant to Bike-Walk-Run plan
- Implement three projects pursuant to Complete Streets policy
- Complete implementation of bike route plan and Complete Streets plan
- Annual community outreach and education
- Support state efforts to promote mass transit and transit-oriented design
- Sign on to The Nature Conservancy’s 10-Minute Walk to a Park campaign
How Do We Reach Our Goals?
- Implement Bike-Walk-Run plan during repaving projects
- Using federal and state incentives when possible, apply Complete Streets policies to new projects
- Leverage private funding and partnerships when possible
- Continue outreach and education efforts