Southburians Celebrate Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day was Friday, May 18, and Bike Walk Connecticut invited all Southburians  to join the celebration at any of the 30 events and rides that took place across the state.  Southbury residents who work in cities such as Bridgeport or Waterbury were invited to take advantage of free breakfast, bike storage and shower usage at YMCA facilities.

Southbury First Selectman Ed Edelson cycle-commuted (instead of his usual walk-to-work daily routine) on Friday, along with other elected officials, such as Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch.

At least one Pomperaug District Department of Health employee also cycled to work, in an effort to promote Southbury’s two-year grant-funded ACHIEVE Initiative. The ACHIEVE committee, charged with making Southbury a healthier community through better nutrition, increased exercise, and smoking cessation, is comprised of public health officials, a Region 15 Schools BOE member, elderly services director, land use administrator, planning commission members, Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition and Heritage Village Civic Association representatives.

Edelson serves in an advisory role on the committee and was instrumental in facilitating the ACHIEVE group’s efforts to create Southbury’s Community Garden in Settlers Park, currently under construction and scheduled to officially open early next month.

The ACHIEVE group has its sights set on several projects in the coming year:  a comprehensive map/guide for all Parks and Recreation facilities and a feasibility study for incorporating hiking/biking trails into Southbury’s landscape.

“Friday’s cycle-commute helped illustrate the need for designated bike trails and/or lanes here in Southbury,” according to ACHIEVE grant coordinator Robin Lucas, who biked the 4-mile trek along Route 172, Flood Bridge Rd., and Main Street South.