New Haven, CT

From ibikeu Wiki

Founded in 1638, New Haven is one of the oldest cities in North America, and the first planned community in the United States. The Elm City's compact urban grid and generally flat, coastal topography make it a perfect place for bicycling.

In fact, according to the U.S. Census, New Haven has one of the highest percentages of bicycle commuters in the United States - 1.8%, according to the most recent data released (2006 ACS). That compares to 1.2% in Boston and Philadelphia, 0.9% in Providence, 0.6% in New York City, and less than 0.5% in Hartford, Stamford, Springfield, Bridgeport, Waterbury, and other cities in the region.

The city has excellent cycling routes, particularly the Farmington Canal Greenway, a multi-use trail (partially completed as part of the East Coast Greenway) connecting New Haven to Northampton, Massachusetts, and various routes all along the Connecticut Shoreline as well as surrounding rural areas.

New Haven cyclists are organized in an advocacy group, ElmCityCycling. Founded in 2001, the group claims over 500 members, including elected officials, local residents and students, who are very actively advocating for improvements throughout New Haven and beyond. The group has a website that can be visited at http://www.elmcitycycling.org/ and holds open public meetings at New Haven City Hall, on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6PM.

Many in New Haven's cycling community meet on the last Friday of every month, at around 530PM on the New Haven Green, for a monthly Critical Mass. Critical Mass is a leisurely ride, which is not sponsored, planned or led by anyone, but is open to all. New Haven Critical Mass attracts up to 200 cyclists, depending on the weather.

New Haven cyclists host frequent bike tours (e.g., about local history or culture), alley cat races, group rides, bicycle jamborees, workshops, parties and other events, including the New Haven Century ride.