CITY OF NEW HAVEN PROMOTES BIKING TO WORK AND ROAD SAFETY

(5/7/2009) NEW HAVEN- May is National Bike to Work Month. Elm City Cycling, Yale University and the City of New Haven encourage all employees to bike to work in May and throughout the year.

Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. encourages individuals who live and/or work in New Haven to participate in a Bike to Work celebration this Friday May 15, 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. in front of City Hall. Elm City Cycling will be sponsoring a Bike-to-Work Breakfast at this event. The following will also take place at this event:

• CT Transit will be on hand to demonstrate bike storage on public buses.

• New Haven Parking Authority staff will highlight the plan for Union Station

• Yale University will give an update on the “Y” Bike Program around campus

• City officials will speak to Downtown & Farmington Canal Greenway projects

• Free coffee & breakfast provided by Bru Cafe and the City of New Haven.

National Bike to Work Month is promoted by the League of American Bicyclists. Last year, the LAB recognized New Haven with an honorable mention as a bike-friendly community. New Haven has the highest number of bicycle commuters of any city in Connecticut by a significant margin and one of the highest percentages in the United States.

To gain full certification and to promote cycling throughout New Haven, several projects are planned including new bike parking at Union Station, bike markings in Downtown New Haven and extensions to the Farmington Canal Greenway.

As always, residents and employees are encouraged to practice Street Smarts. Street smarts go beyond simply obeying the traffic regulations or driving below the speed limit. Street Smarts call for your attentiveness at all times; your patience with others; and your willingness to share the road.

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660