From Mayor Bill Finch:
In celebration of Bike Week (May 13-17), Mayor Bill Finch and the City of Bridgeport will host events that promote bicycle riding in the city.
“Bicycle riding is a healthier, more sustainable mode of transportation and we are working hard to make bike riding safer and more accessible,” said Mayor Finch.
Last year, Bridgeport was one of nine municipalities in Connecticut selected to share a $20 million federal grant–the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program. The City’s share was $1.6 million which will partially be used for construction of the Bridgeport portion of the Pequonnock River Trail. The trail aims to connect segments of existing trails along the Pequonnock River to create a continuous greenway from Long Island Sound and Downtown Bridgeport, through Trumbull, to the Monroe-Newtown town line.
A portion of the grant awarded to the City will be used to implement a bike share program for Bridgeport, which would allow riders to share bicycles on a very short-term basis.
To give members of the public an opportunity to learn more about the potential bike share program, the City and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host an information session on Monday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and will be held at CreateHereNow, 1042 Broad Street.
On Tuesday, May 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., a second meeting regarding the potential bike share program will also be held at CreateHereNow. The City and EPA are targeting leaders in local bicycle community along with other key stakeholders. To RSVP for either of these events, please email Davey Ives Davey.ives@bridgeportct.gov
“This federal funding gives us a nice start toward bringing a much-needed bike share program to our City, but this is just the first step,” said Mayor Finch. “I encourage everyone who is interested in learning more about this potential program to attend the information sessions.”
On Friday, May 17, Mayor Finch will once again participate in Bike to Work Day, riding his bike to the office from his home. Residents who would like to join Mayor Finch on his bike ride are asked to meet at Chris’ Spoke & Wheel, 2355 East Main Street. The ride is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Refreshments will be served following the bike ride outside of the Margaret E. Morton Government Center.
To RSVP for the Mayor’s Bike to Work Day event email Mayor@bridgeportct.gov
Oh, give me a break!
Keeping down bus fares would have been a better use for this money given many people can probably no longer afford cars given the increased tax rates …
*** FINCH SHOULD SET UP BIKE PARKING AREAS ALONG THE WAY AND CHARGE FOR THE TIME AND SPACE, ‘CAUSE THE WONDERFUL SIGHTS WHILE FOLLOWING THE CITY BIKE ROUTES SHOULD BRING BACK TOURISTS YEAR AFTER YEAR! *** “WOW, WE’RE PASSING A LIVE ZOMBIE ON THE LEFT, DEAR!” ***
ISN’T IT NICE THE MAYOR IS PEDDLING HIS ASS ALL OVER BRIDGEPORT?
Good! Maybe he can use the proceeds to supplement our tax increase.
It will be a happy day when Bill Finch pedals his ass out of town.
I’d rather walk than ride a block with this guy.
Why in the world is the federal government giving money for this nonsense? Where in the constitution does it say giving money away for bike paths?
He talks the talk but does not bike the bike. A “potential program?” i.e., more salary for someone to talk about it another year from whatever grant. Not many will show up to this meeting. Maybe a few mayoral apologists and paid staff.
Is that Finch on a girl’s bike?