FBPC Offers A Series of New Bicycling & Walking Events in 2017

FAIRFIELD, CT. --Whether on foot or by bike, Fairfielders who enjoy the beauty of the town’s roadways and sidewalks will soon have their choice of joining a series of new bicycling and walking events organized for 2017 by the Town of Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee with the first set for Saturday, May 20.

“Since we were established by the Fairfield Board of Selectmen in 2014, our committee has seen steady growth in cycling and pedestrian events in town whether they’re organized by ourselves or others. The warm weather season ahead will offer what we think is an exciting schedule of events we sponsor plus many others that bubble up from the community,” said Keith Gallinelli, chairman of the seven member town appointed committee.

“We try to encourage walking and biking for transportation, recreation, exercise and other quality of life benefits. Walking and biking conserve fuel, improve air quality, reduce traffic and the need for parking, improve health and fitness and can help invigorate the local merchant economy,” Gallinelli added.

The preliminary 2017 Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee Event Schedule includes:

·         National Bike Month “Ride around Fairfield” on Saturday, May 20 with a Sunday, May 21, rain date. The ride, starts at 9:30 a.m. at Southport Beach. The ride marks the debut of town installed air pump and bike repair stations at strategic locations on official town bike routes. The equipment was purchased with state grant money by the Fairfield Health Department.

·         Marshland Meanderings: Birds and Beasts along the Frank Rice Trail System. This family friendly  nature walk led by Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation with Connecticut Audubon Society, will take place Saturday, June 3 at 9 am, rain date Saturday, June 10. Meet up is in the Fairfield Senior Center parking lot.

·         Clean Energy Walking Tour on Saturday, June 10. Starting at 10 a.m. at the Sherman Green Gazebo, the walk sponsored by the town’s Clean Energy Task Force will include brief discussion stops at five of the major solar energy generation stops now in operation. The walk concludes at the Fairfield Recreation Center on Old Dam road and will take about 2 hours roundtrip.

·         Historic Southport Heritage Walk on Saturday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m., rain date Sunday July 23. Explore the history of this scenic section of Fairfield in a walk led by Walter Matis of the Fairfield History Center and Museum. Meet at Pequot Library parking lot.

·         Fairfield’s Great Graves and Ghosts Ride on Saturday, October 21, rain date Sunday, October 22.  Just ahead of Halloween, this ride will focus on a course bringing cyclists to notable graves in different locations of Fairfield. Master story teller Walter Matis of the Fairfield History Center and Museum will provide a quick narrative at select locations on the tour focusing on history, ghosts, legends and tales of macabre from Fairfield’s past. Meet at the museum parking lot 9:30 am. Ride departs museum parking lot at 10 a.m. sharp.

More details will be issued regarding each of these planned events as the dates get closer. For more information on cycling and walking in Fairfield, visit http://fairfieldct.org/bikeped 

PHOTO ID-Town of Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee 2017 members from left to right:  Karen Secrist, William Pollack, Laura O'Brien (Vice-Chair), Linda Lach, Keith Gallinelli (Chair), Edward Lane (Secretary), Don Hyman, Nate Rex, Ann Katis