E-Bike Rules Work, Bollard Fixes, and Trails Grant Steps

For a town built on charming stone walls and quiet streets, Farmington is confronting the modern problems of micromobility. At its latest meeting, the Farmington Bicycle Advisory Committee took up e-bike rules, trail maintenance, and a lingering question from parents: why is it still so hard to walk safely to school? The committee’s agenda spanned law, engineering, and street-level fear — a snapshot of a community balancing old-town infrastructure with 21st-century wheels. 🚲

Brought to you by our friends at Farmington Storage — the only storage facility in Connecticut boasting “museum air.” If you own more bikes than family members or keep saying you’ll “ride next spring,” this is your place. Visit 155 Scott Swamp Road or call 860-777-4001. They store everything except your guilt.

Public Comment: Crossing Lovely Street and Holding Your Breath

Rachel Martin, a member of Bike Walk Farmington and the town’s Safe Routes to School champion, read prepared remarks describing the hazardous crossing at Lovely Street and Sylvan Avenue, where cars crest a blind hill at 50 mph. Four years after state approval for flashing beacons, the lights remain uninstalled. An elderly neighbor was previously struck there. Martin said her sons — ages five and seven — still run across the road daily, “terrified that a vehicle will come speeding over the hill at the wrong moment.” Her message: Farmington has the sidewalks; it now needs the will to make them safe.

E-Bikes and Enforcement: “Threat of a Ticket Might Be Enough”

The committee formed a subcommittee to craft local guidelines for e-bike use on roads, trails, and sidewalks. The discussion highlighted three themes:

• Law: As of October 1, state law permits Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on multi-use trails; municipalities may set speed caps (such as 15 mph).
• Access: Class 1 and 2 devices may qualify as ADA mobility aids, making restrictions complex.
• Enforcement: Police representatives acknowledged that officers cannot clock cyclists mid-trail. As Bruce Donald put it, “By the time you get an officer out there, the person could be miles ahead.”

Members named to the subcommittee: Bruce Donald, Bruce Sear, Rich, Ron, Daniel (Farmington Police), and Neil as an occasional participant.

Bollards, Wayfinding, and Trail Upkeep

Bollards. Director of Public Works Russ Arnold and Highway Superintendent James Rosbason will repair and repaint trail bollards, replacing triples with a single fold-down design. AASHTO’s 43-inch ADA minimum clearance was confirmed. Specific locations flagged for attention: Red Oak and River Road.

Wayfinding. The committee revived a long-delayed plan for signs leading trail users to Town Hall, the Library, and Farmington High School. Staff cited liability and ADA issues for unimproved cut-throughs like Rosewood and Basswood. Site inspections will determine whether grades can be smoothed without affecting stormwater basins.

Business access. At Daily Grind, plans call for removing one parking space to add a paved trail connector and crosswalk.

Trail repairs. Members will walk the trail to mark low spots and sinkholes for spot work. Neil and Bruce plan an on-site meeting around 4 p.m. next week.

Programs and Community Work

Library Safety Night. On October 1, more than 20 residents attended a bike-safety session at the Main Library. Topics included visibility, road positioning, and flat-tire repair. The library plans a repeat event in spring 2026.

Bike Walk Farmington. Rachel Martin was named Community Walk Director. Her new pedestrian survey is live, gathering feedback on neighborhood safety and connectivity.

State Trails Grant and Staffing

The state-bonded Recreational Trails Grant remains active. The next step is a formal RFP for design work, to be drafted by Bruce Donald and Public Works after a staffing shortfall left the project idle. Committee members offered to assist with scope language. The grant has a three-year window.

Several members renewed calls for a part-time Bike/Ped Coordinator to shepherd grants and public education. The town previously declined to fund one, citing engineering capacity.

Website Cleanup and Public Outreach

The committee found two parallel town web pages — “Bicycle Committee” and “Bicycling Information.” A subcommittee led by Carolyn will consolidate and update links. The police e-bike law PDF is current; the Trails Council link will be redirected to its main page.

A public forum titled “Vibrant Community Update” is planned for May 2026 (Bike Month) to share progress and gather feedback. Separately, the committee will present a year-end report to the Town Council’s first November meeting, pending agenda space.

Safe Routes to School and Next Steps

Action: Schedule a meeting between Bruce, Brian, James Ratcliffe (Board of Education), and Bridget (program contact). Materials from former engineer Dylan and Maureen will be shared to align departments. Bike Walk Farmington signaled full support and volunteer capacity.

Final Business

Water pressure at the town garage’s new bottle-fill station remains low — staff will check the valve. Next month the committee will debate a possible name change. The minutes were approved (motion by Bruce, second by Ron), and the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

About the Author

Jack Beckett is senior writer for The Farmington Mercury. He survives town meetings on espresso and irony, often in equal measure. If you see him on the trail, he’s probably still taking notes. ☕

Where to Find More (and Message Us on “Twix”)

Say hi on X (we call it Twix) at @WeFarmington. Explore our coverage and archives: Editorials • About the Mercury • Law Enforcement • Historic District Commission • Zoning • Board of Education • Positions Available and more at wearefarmington.com.
Contact us directly through Contact Us and Stay Informed with The Farmington Mercury — your weekly dose of slow, smart local news.

Creative Commons License

© 2025 The Farmington Mercury / Mercury Local
This article, “Farmington Bike Committee Launches E-Bike Subcommittee and Sets Priorities for Trail Safety and Wayfinding,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.

“Farmington Bike Committee Launches E-Bike Subcommittee and Sets Priorities for Trail Safety and Wayfinding”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)