FAIRFIELD, CT - The Town of Fairfield will be launching a new bike route in the Greenfield Hill area. The 18-mile bike route (https://www.strava.com/routes/11661013) will connect two existing bike routes and be marked with signage intended to both guide cyclists on the route to follow as well as to inform drivers of the need to be on the lookout for cyclists and safely share the road.
The Fairfield Health Department used funds from the State’s Preventative Health Block Grant (PHBG) to create Fairfield’s first official bike route in 2013 in partnership with multiple community organizations. The first bike route was about three miles in length. Since that time, the Health Department and the Fairfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee (FBPC), established in 2014, have partnered in the successful implementation of several bike routes: the Library to Library Route, the Lake to Beach Route, and the Shoreline Route, all of which can be found on the FBPC webpage: https://www.fairfieldct.org/bikeped.
“Research shows that people with safe places to walk and bike near their homes are more likely to get enough exercise,” said Santina Jaranko, Assistant Director of Health for Community Health at the Fairfield Health Department. “I’m pleased that we can continue to expand our bike route network throughout town in partnership with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee.”
“Part of our committee’s mission is to work with our Town leadership and residents to create the conditions that incentivize more walking, biking, and rolling in our community,” said Nate Rex, FBPC member. “As an avid cyclist myself, I really enjoy riding on these roads in Greenfield Hill and it’s my hope that the new designated bike route will encourage more people to get out and explore this area on their bikes.”
“I’m so pleased to have our Town departments and volunteer committees working together to implement the recommendations of our Bike & Pedestrian Master Plan and our award-winning Complete Streets Policy. The idea is to make our streets more accessible for all types of users — people with disabilities, cyclists, runners, walkers — not just cars – to improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Brenda Kupchick, Town of Fairfield First Selectwoman.
Signage for the Greenfield Hill Bike Route will be installed later this year. For more information about the Fairfield Health Department and Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, visit fairfieldct.org.