The benefits of walking or riding a bicycle may not only contribute to your own personal health, but also to the well being of your community, and the planet. The town of Fairfield has been nationally recognized as having one of the top ten Complete Street policies adopted in 2018.
Fairfield’s policy—designed to help plan a better street environment for all types of users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public-transit riders, and motorists—was ranked seventh nationally in Smart Growth America’s “ Best Complete Streets Policies of 2018.” This annual evaluation of U.S. towns and cities places equal emphasis on policy and implementation, and also measures the degree to which the benefits are shared by low-income residents and communities of color. The policy hopes to promote safe access to destinations for everyone regardless of age, ability, income, race, ethnicity, or mode of travel.
According to Smart Growth America, complete-streets improvements not only make cities and towns safer, but also more livable and walkable, leading to healthier communities, revitalized neighborhoods, and higher property values. These policies also provide better access to services for both seniors and children, who are less likely to drive and are often the most vulnerable in our communities.
The Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, working with the Fairfield Health Department, now has three approved bicycle routes around town. These routes have been marked with signage and, where possible, road lines and “sharrow” markings. In addition to the bike routes, the Department of Public Works has installed eight bicycle repair stations and pumps around town.
The bike routes and repair/pump stations were made possible through a grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and obtained by the Fairfield Health Department.
The three routes are as follows (Strava links included) Shoreline: From Southport Beach to Ash Creek.
https://www.strava.com/routes/12962612
Lake to Beach: From Lake Mohegan to Penfield Pavilion. https://www.strava.com/routes/13140001
Library to Library: From Fairfield Woods library and to the Main Library at the corner of the Post Road and Old Post Road. https://www.strava.com/routes/28273025
The eight repair stations and pumps are located at Southport, Penfield and Jennings Beaches, the Main and Fairfield Woods Library, Riverside Park and the parking lot behind Saint Timothy’s Church off of Congress Street.
Here is a link to the google map showing all routes and repair stations or pumps: map
“The Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee’s mission is to encourage safe walking and cycling as a means of enjoying the beauty of Fairfield. In the midst of this Coronavirus pandemic, I hope everyone can safely get out for a rejuvenating walk or ride,” said Keith Gallinelli, chairman of the committee.
