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Bicycle Rails to Trails

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Simsbury & South Windsor Ceremony 2012
Farmington Canal: Rail to Trail Web site

 

Welcome to the Town of Simsbury Bicycle Page!  We hope this site helps you with anything bicycle-related you may need.  Simsbury was Connecticut’s first town to be designated a bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.  Town officials, citizens, and volunteers work extremely hard to maintain our trails and roads to allow ample resources for our bicycle community.  Whether it’s the East Coast Greenway Trail, the Stratton Brook State Park trail, or our Share-the-Road mentality, please check out all that Simsbury has to offer for bicyclists!

Do you see a problem with the trails?  Please report it to the First Selectman!

 

New Signs Along Simsbury Trail
Remind Bicyclists to “Alert When Passing”

 

The Town of Simsbury has installed signage along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail that reminds bicyclists to make their presence known when passing slower trail users.
“It’s not uncommon to be walking along the trail or taking a leisurely bike ride and suddenly a faster bicyclist zips by without warning,” said Ann Marie Potter of BikeWalkSimbury!  “Someone could easily get injured.  It’s a safety issue and a matter of courtesy for all trail-users, particularly in more congested sections.”
The green-and-white signs read:  “Cyclists Must Alert When Passing.”  One is posted near the Iron Horse Blvd/Drake Hill Road intersection; the second is along Rte. 315 heading to town center from Tariffville.
“We’re hoping that by raising awareness, more cyclists will remember to announce their presence, especially when they’re going by at a fast clip,” Potter said, noting that signs posted along the trail indicate a maximum speed of 12 mph.
“Many bicyclists do shout out ‘On Your Left’ or ring a bell to announce that they are passing,” Potter said.  “But many don’t.  It’s a problem out there.”
First Selectman Mary Glassman said that as trail-use increases in popularity, it becomes even more important for cyclists, runners, roller-bladers and walkers to practice courtesy.
“We’re proud to have such a gem running through our community,” she said.  “Each year we see more people of all ages having family time together, just taking in the scenery or getting some exercise,” she said.  “We want everyone to enjoy the trail and be safe, no matter how fast or slow they are travelling.”
Trail courtesy, according to Potter, includes staying to the right and passing on the left.  Walkers or joggers with earphones should be able to hear passersby.  Walkers with dogs should keep a short leash and be aware of passing traffic.  Helmets are encouraged.
“A lot of this is common sense,” Potter said. “All trail-users should have a positive experience when they’re out there enjoying a lovely fall day.”
In 2010, Simsbury was named the first “Bicycle-Friendly Community” in Connecticut at the bronze-level and the town is currently seeking silver-level status.  An announcement is expected in October. Farmington also is seeking the designation, which South Windsor received earlier this year.


First Selectman Mary Glassman and Ann Marie Potter of BikeWalkSimsbury!
show off a new sign installed by the town along the bike trail.


First Selectman Mary Glassman, James Miller (Simsbury Public Library) and Ann Marie Potter standing with a new bike rack at Simsbury Public Library, designed by Simsbury Artist Vicente Garcia


Simsbury, a bike friendly community!

Pavement markings throughout Simsbury

Cabot Cheese 2012 Community Tour Stops in Simsbury

Below: Riders Cathy (not pictured) and Myron Skott, and Bob Spiegelman stop for a quick lunch and a photo with First Selectman of Simsbury Mary Glassman and a few friends at Mitchell Dodge dealership in Simsbury on June 27th.  The riders are using the East Coast Greenway to bike from Miami, FL to Portland, ME to strengthen our communities as a part of their Cabot Cheese 2012 Community Tour.  They will finish in Portland on July 7th.  Check out their story at http://www.cabotcommunitytour.com/about.php .  Thanks for stopping in Simsbury, riders!

 


Below: First Selectman Mary Glassman, Public Relations Director of Mitchell Auto Group Jill Mitchell, and Patti Smith Jacobus, representing Simsbury Free Bike, pause for a photo by an East Coast Greenway car.

 

 


 
Did you know...?
 
That bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as regular motorists? The CT Department of Transportation offers several tips for motorists:
  • SLOW DOWN when passing a bicyclist
  • DO NOT use your horn to alert that you will pass; you may startle the rider
  • Give bicyclists adequate space to maneuver before and after passing: anticipate!
  • DO NOT pass with oncoming traffic. Be patient!
  • In bad weather, give bicyclists EXTRA space ahead and behind
  • ALWAYS look for bicyclists before opening your door
  • Finally, and most importantly, it is a state law to give AT LEAST THREE FEET of passing space to a bicycle.

Bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.

Stay informed, and stay safe Simsbury!

For more information on Bike Safety, visit the Share The Road site on the CT Department of Transportation website by following this link:

http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=2314&q=433254 

 

Recommended Biking, Running, and Walking Routes

  • Head south on Rt. 10 towards the Library
  • Turn left at Drake Hill Rd. and continue past Iron Horse Blvd.
  • Cross the bridge and turn left onto Riverside Rd.
  • Continue straight when Riverside Rd. becomes Terry’s Plain Rd.
  • When Terry’s Plain Rd. forks, stay left to remain on Terry’s Plain
  • At the end of Terry’s Plain Rd., turn left onto Tarriffville Rd.
  • Before the intersection with Rt. 10, turn left onto the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail a.k.a the “Bike Path”
  • Follow the Bike Path until you reach Iron Horse Boulevard
  • Continue south on Iron Horse Blvd until the T-intersection with Drake Hill Rd.
  • Turn right onto Drake Hill Rd.
  • At the intersection with Rt. 10, turn right and finish again at town hall!

Total Mileage: 6.7 miles

Stratton Brook Loop Directions from Town Hall: MEDIUM

  • Head south on Rt. 10 towards the Library
  • Turn right onto West St. (Rt. 167)
  • Continue past Firetown Rd. to the second stoplight.
  • Run about one hundred meters past the intersection with Bushy Hill Rd until you reach a crosswalk on Simsbury High school grounds.
  • Carefully cross the street and proceed onto the Bike Path in Stratton Book state park
  • Turn around and return to town hall the same way you came.

Total Mileage: 5.5 miles

Simsbury Center Loop Directions from Town Hall: SHORT

  • Head north on Rt. 10 towards Seminary Rd.
  • Turn left onto Seminary Rd. and take it all the way till it reaches Firetown Rd.
  • At Firetown Rd., take a left.  Continue on Firetown until it ends at West St.
  • At West St, turn left and continue to the intersection with Rt. 10
  • At Rt. 10, turn left and stop at the crosswalk at Drake Hill Road
  • Carefully cross the street and proceed down Drake Hill Rd.
  • Turn left onto Iron Hourse Blvd and follow the street, not the path, to an intersection with Rt. 10.
  • At Rt. 10, turn left and continue to Town Hall and finish!

Total mileage: 3.8 miles

Some additional GREAT rides in the Simsbury area: