DAVID SEPULVEDA PHOTO
Contributed photo of Pierre Lallement.
Pierre Lallement, who invented the precursor to today’s modern bicycle, would most likely be thrilled with how New Haven’s cycling culture has evolved since April 4,1866, when he pedaled his invention from Ansonia to the New Haven Green and into the the annals of cycling history.
A reporter writing for the New Haven Daily Palladium, a newspaper of the day, described the scene this way: ”An enterprising individual propelled himself about the Green last evening on a curious frame sustained by two wheels, one before the other, and driven by foot cranks,” according to bicycle historian David V. Herlihy.
Launch party attendees.
Rock to Rock, one of the region’s largest annual environmental fundraising events, is part of today’s burgeoning bicycle culture in New Haven. Last Thursday, representatives from some of the over 25 organizations that participate and benefit from the event attended a launch party for Rock to Rock’s Earth Day ride. The party was held at Coogan Pavilion in Edgewood Park, in preparation for the event on April 30.
Last year’s RTR T-shirt. A contest is underway for this year’s design.
The goals of Rock to Rock are those of “creating a city full of healthy food, street trees, community gardens, green jobs, outdoor adventures, clean and accessible parks, bike trails, educational opportunities and much more.” To that end, organizers have raised the bar above previous events, seeking to increase ridership to 1,500 registered riders and a fundraising goal of $200,000.
Scene of an earlier Rock to Rock event at Edgewood Park.
According to organizers, “riders will travel between West Rock and East Rock, with celebrations on both sides of the city. Along the way, they will eat tasty food, hear great music, take on environmental challenges and service projects, and explore the city’s parks. Cyclists will travel along the Farmington Canal Trail and official city bike lanes, pass through many of the city’s beautiful neighborhoods, and make stops in Edgewood and Beaver Pond Parks on their way between the Rocks. Five ride categories are planned: the 8‑mile family-friendly ride; a 12 mile adult ride; the 20-mile ride; the 40-mile ride; and a metric century (60+ miles), all traveling through scenic and park filled routes in the New Haven region. Music at various stops and at the end at East Rock will be provided by CT Folk and with include performances by local musicians.”
Friday’s launch party included registration and information booths …
Monica Edgerton of New Haven Farms and Keyla Reiman entertained.
… entertainment …
Cutrufo.
… and featured guest speaker Joseph Cutrufo from the TriState Transportation Campaign, a coalition of transportation and environmental groups, who spoke about the growth of alternative transportation in the region.
In his talk, Cutrufo mentioned the downtown street conversions that include some changes from one-way to two-way thoroughfares, and traffic calming initiatives on Whalley Avenue that will include raised medians, street trees, ramps for the handicapped, and high-visibility crosswalks. Presently, there are no plans to add bike lanes to Whalley Avenue, though according to Cutrufo, that may happen in the future.
Also cited was the $1.2 million grant New Haven received as part of the state’s Community Connectivity Program, designed to bring better bikeways to neighborhoods west of downtown. This includes a protected bike lane on Edgewood Avenue.
One of the public transportation goals Cutrufo mentioned is to increase and expand service on the Metro North New Haven Line so that it “operates less like a traditional commuter rail and more like a four-track local-express subway, such as in New York City.”
Torresquintero.
Advancing his New Haven Parks and Recreation youth mountain bike team program and other events that will be conducted under the new moniker Bike New Haven, was the city’s Outdoor Adventure Coordinator Martin Torresquintero.
Some of the Clinton Avenue School cycling team members.
Torresquintero noted the expansion of the competitive cycling program that has been implemented in New Haven schools, including Hillhouse, Willbur Cross, Dixwell New Light, Common Ground, Hooker School, and the recently added Clinton Avenue School. The Clinton Avenue Cougars cycling team, coached by Chris Finan, just held its first team meeting.
Laura Burrone.
Representing the not-for-profit Elm City Cycling, “New Haven’s home for bicycle advocacy and community,” was board member Laura Burrone. She proudly displayed a postcard announcing “Cycle-bration,” an event celebrating 150 years of bicycling in America and Pierre Lallement’s first velocipede bicycle patent in 1866. The event, scheduled for June 25, will be part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas.
Baldwin, Moore.
Sporting bicycle helmets accessorized with miniature trash cans were Ecoworks, Inc. representatives Sherill Baldwin (one of the founding members) and Michael Moore. Ecoworks’ organization of volunteers collects disposable materials and makes them available to artists, teachers, and folks who will upcycle them to a higher purpose.
Matt Feiner.
Matt Feiner, New Haven’s face for all things cycling and owner of the downtown Devil’s Gear Bike Shop, sported his bright red Devil’s Gear jersey. He offered these thoughts about the Rock To Rock event: “If you’ve never done this ride before, this is a great get-your-feet-wet event. You’re exhausted at the end of the day but you feel you’ve accomplished something — you’ve made things better.”
Veira Beckeberg.
Outside the pavilion after the party, 3‑year-old Veira Beckeberg, who had arrived on her dad’s three-seater bicycle, hugged her sea otter tightly. Dad (David Beckeberg), who had just secured the safety harness on his daughter’s seat, said he logged 20 miles on the bike that day alone. Pierre Lallement would have been proud.