Farmington Bike Committee Spokes Its Mind: Website Fixes & Safe Routes Debated

🚴 Revamping the Farmington Bicycle Advisory Committee Website: All the Wheels & Words You Missed 🛠

Date: November 13, 2024

Watch the Full Meeting on YouTube

Improving the Town’s Cycling Website for Simplicity

The Farmington Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting kicked off at 7:12 p.m. with Ronald J. Goralski and Brian FX Connolly in attendance, among others. Early on, committee members tackled an important topic: the town’s cycling-focused website. “We need to reformat the website to be more cohesive,” Ronald J. Goralski said, emphasizing a user-friendly experience that prioritizes quick access to trail maps and local resources rather than a lengthy introduction to the committee.

Brian FX Connolly echoed this sentiment: “People aren’t here for War and Peace —they want maps, trail statuses, and educational resources.” The team agreed that while committee information is important, it shouldn’t overwhelm visitors. Instead, the focus should be on destinations, trail guides, and safety tips.

Watch the Website Reformatting Discussion

Addressing Outdated Links and Adding New Resources

The committee also addressed several non-functional links on the town’s website, particularly those meant to point to cycling resources. “That Farmington Patch link is dead,” said Neil Kelsey. Carolyn agreed, noting that several links needed updating or eliminating. Ronald J. Goralski offered to help: “If you can send me links, I can make the switch. At least the links will be updated, even if we’re still figuring out presentation.” The group focused on finding educational resources and mapping tools relevant to both the casual rider and those traveling through Farmington.

The meeting took a slight turn when Ronald J. Goralski discussed the “Warm Showers” project, a free hospitality exchange network for touring cyclists. “It’s like a no-money Airbnb for cyclists,” Ronald J. Goralski explained. “With the East Coast Greenway going right through Farmington, it could be a neat option for adventure cyclists needing a place to stay overnight.” Several members agreed it would be a good addition to the resources page.

View Discussion on the Warm Showers Project

Safe Routes to School: Engaging the Community

Ronald J. Goralski gave an update on the Safe Routes to School initiatives. He explained the importance of distinguishing between different biking projects, such as the fifth-grade bike safety education and the Bike to School Days. “We don’t want to mix them up; they serve different purposes,” said Ronald J. Goralski. The Safe Routes to School project is aimed at creating safe pathways for children to bike or walk to school, involving coordinated efforts with the town and local police.

Neil Kelsey chimed in, noting, “Engagement from schools is critical here. We’ve had successes but also some disappointments, like East Farms choosing not to participate due to safety concerns.” However, the committee remains hopeful for a larger involvement in spring 2025.

Upcoming Farmington Valley Trails Council Meeting

A quick reminder from Ronald J. Goralski: the annual Farmington Valley Trails Council meeting is happening Friday evening at the Avon Senior Community Center. “It’s a good mix of walkers and cyclists from the area,” said Ronald J. Goralski, highlighting the guest speaker who has MS and hasn’t let it slow down his passion for cycling. “The story is incredibly inspiring,” Ronald J. Goralski added. It’s definitely a meeting to catch if you want to hear about progress, stories, and all things trails.

Speed Monitoring Sign Initiative on Route 177

One hot topic was the installation of a speed monitoring sign on Route 177. The Traffic Review Board approved it with modifications, and the plan is for a temporary speed sign to be installed in March/April, with a rotation every 6-8 weeks. “The data shows temporary measures work better,” explained Dylan (Assistant Town Planner), the Assistant Town Planner. The committee members unanimously liked the idea of rotating signs, ensuring they serve broader regions rather than just staying put.

“We could even put it near Brickyard Road or The Flats during high-traffic times,” said Neil Kelsey, drawing approval from the group.

Watch the Route 177 Speed Monitoring Sign Discussion

Future Cycling Infrastructure: Meadow Road Sidewalk Plans

Dylan (Assistant Town Planner) also brought up plans for a new sidewalk along Meadow Road, connecting Route 177 to New Britain Avenue. “We should have something to share by the next meeting,” said Dylan (Assistant Town Planner), promising detailed plans for the long-anticipated project. The committee will also look into adding crosswalks to enhance connectivity between neighborhoods, particularly targeting Judson Lane and West District school routes.

“It will be a five-foot-wide sidewalk,” Dylan (Assistant Town Planner) confirmed, clarifying that due to utility conflicts, a full-blown bike path wasn’t feasible. But this connectivity is a step forward in providing a safe, accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

View the Future Projects Overview

Meeting Wrap-Up and Next Steps

The meeting concluded with a plan for a subcommittee meeting to focus on website improvements. The team tentatively set a Zoom session for Wednesday, November 20, at 6 p.m. to finalize updates and share links. Dylan (Assistant Town Planner) also reminded everyone of the need to set a calendar for next year’s regular committee meetings. A quick vote settled that the meetings will continue on the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.

Ronald J. Goralski ended the meeting on a light note, “If you guys have a list of links to send by next week, that’d be great. Let’s try to make this website as useful as possible—people are looking for maps, not a dissertation!”

Catch the Full Meeting Video for More Details!

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Jack Beckett ☕️ Senior Writer, The Farmington Mercury

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