Three Bicycle and Pedestrian “Tactical Engagement” Demonstrations Planned:

The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments has planned the following events, related to the region’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Norwich Tactical Engagement (Bicycle Facilities) – April 28-29th:

Central Avenue, Norwich.

Protected facilities, separated from motor vehicles with more than just stripes painted on asphalt, are the new normal for high-quality bikeways. Come see a demonstration of a two-way separated, bicycle facility on Central Avenue in Norwich, April 28 and 29! We want your feedback to help inform the future of bicycle transportation in Southeastern Connecticut, so be sure to check in with one of our volunteers or staff while you’re visiting.

Griswold Tactical Engagement (Placemaking) – May 4th:

Fanning Court, Jewett City.

Alleys can be dark and scary, but they can also be inviting, fun, lively spaces, when designed properly. May 4th is the day of Griswold’s annual Night Light Parade, and we’ll be preparing through the day, dressing up Fanning Court (the alley between Uncle Kranky’s Cafe and Mandarin Garden) for the occasion with lighting, paint, and more! With a small monetary investment and a healthy injection of volunteer time, smarts, and muscle, almost any underutilized outdoor space can be transformed into an attractive, colorful, and welcoming place. Please come by that afternoon or evening to see what we’ve done!

Groton Tactical Engagement (Way Finding) – May 11-24th:

Multi-use path between Gold Star Bridge and the Naval Submarine Base, Groton.

Signs for biking and walking can do a lot more than point you in the right direction; a signage system can also provide distance to destination, time to destination, and even “brand” a bikeway or bike/walk network. We are piloting such a system on a route in Groton connecting the US Naval Submarine Base New London and the Gold Star Bridge, between May 11 and 24, and we hope you’ll come to check it out! We want to know what you think of the route, the information on the signs, and the aesthetics of the signs too, so please check in with a volunteer or staffer if you see one set up beside the route. Your feedback will help inform decisions to be made in Groton and across Southeastern Connecticut!