Cash, Crashes and Crushed Guardrails—Bike Board Goes Full Throttle 🚲
BOARD GRABS THE BAG, SLAMS THE BRAKES
FARMINGTON, Conn. — “Why don’t we call the meeting to order at 7:04?” Vice‑chair Brian barked, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee launched straight into green‑dollar glory.
Policy pit‑bull Bruce Donald led with the bombshell:
“Ten million a year for two years is on the Bond Commission agenda. Add leftover dough—about $30 million for trails.”
Donald then slipped in a second course: DOT’s omnibus bill HB‑1377 hides another $50 million. “Stay tuned,” he winked.
HELMETS UP, E‑BIKES DOWN
One bill survived the session:
“Helmets for 18 and below—that passed, and it’s fantastic,” Donald crowed.
The big e‑bike overhaul jack‑knifed:
“50 cc equals a 4,000‑watt e‑bike—they didn’t think this through. Threats of ‘really draconian enforcement’ killed it.”
Rich Frisk wanted equal rebates for pedal purists. Donald admitted the idea “fizzled” but vowed a rematch next year.
GAP STUDY, BOY SCOUT HEADACHE & A GUARDRAIL MAULING
Donald flashed an embargo‑heavy PDF—CRCOG’s $630,000 East Coast Greenway gap study:
“Bloomfield to Copaco works; south of Albany Avenue is wallet‑murder. We’ll jog through Keney Park.”
Meanwhile, a Boy Scout fence‑fix project stalled over who signs the check—town or Trails Council. Committee punted.
Frisk logged a trail hazard:
“Guardrail crushed, fence busted, debris everywhere on the East Hartford spur.”
Donald: “Glad the fence worked—Highway gets a call first thing.”
SIDEWALKS, RIGHT‑OF‑WAY & A NEW SHERIFF
Assistant Town Engineer Dylan Haskins explained why sidewalks don’t sprout like dandelions:
“It varies street by street—typically a 50‑foot right‑of‑way.”
Ron Maribito begged for continuous paths, not orphan slabs.
New Board‑of‑Ed rep James Ratcliffe missed the action (graduation duty) but left a motto via Brian:
“We’ll eat this elephant one bite at a time.”
RIDE RUMBLINGS & POLITICAL WHISPERS
September charity ride? Maybe. Beneficiary? TBD. And Donald dropped this side‑car:
“Looks like former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart is running for governor—should be interesting.”
Gavel down at 8 p.m.—members pedaled home dodging potholes and politics.
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About the Author
Jack Beckett fuels deadlines with bottomless dark roast from the Main Street coffee truck—beans strong enough to qualify as Class 3. He files copy, then files for caffeine rehab.
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This article, “Helmet Law Rolls, E‑Bike Bill Wrecks: Farmington Bike Board Nabs $30 M Trail Jackpot,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY‑ND 4.0.
“Helmet Law Rolls, E‑Bike Bill Wrecks: Farmington Bike Board Nabs $30 M Trail Jackpot”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY‑ND 4.0)
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