Greetings from Madison’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

It’s amazing how much and now fast our world has changed, but also uplifting to see how many individuals, businesses and groups in Madison have reached out to help others. 

Attached is a BPAC Newsletter highlighting some of our accomplishments in 2019.  Madison will get through this together, and there is a lot to look forward to. 

We are blessed to have many beautiful outdoor spaces in Madison.  Please be safe if you go outside and follow CT guidelines to provide 6’ or more social distance from others. 

https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Hike-and-social-distance-in-CT-state-parks-15148154.php 

Be safe, know your space.  Take care and be well. 

National Walk to School Day 

October 2, 2019

Madison BPAC supported Jeffrey Elementary School parents and administration in celebrating National Walk to School Day.  Approximately 150 students turned out with their parents or guardians at Bauer Park on a bright sunny morning and walked together on the wooded trail behind the park to Jeffrey School.  It was a fun and inspiring event that affirmed the enthusiasm and support of the school community and Town of Madison for safe walking and biking routes to school.  

Madison’s Complete Streets Policy Wins National Award

Madison’s Complete Streets Policy was nationally recognized in 2019 as one of the top 5 Complete Streets policies adopted in 2018.  The Complete Streets Policy was drafted by BPAC and presented to the Board of Selectmen as one of its first priorities.  

A Complete Streets Policy establishes the town’s commitment to making biking and walking safer and more accessible, primarily by making consideration of bike/walk improvements a priority when undertaking town road work projects.

If you are interested in learning more about Complete Streets, you can find links to Madison’s CS Policy and a Keynote/PowerPoint presentation about CS on our website: https://www.madisonct.org/964/Complete-Streets

Bike/Walk Master Plan

Madison BPAC’s primary charge from the BOS is to create a long-term Bike/Walk Master Plan for Madison.  In 2019, we sponsored two Road Safety Audits (RSAs) of high priority areas for safety and accessibility improvements that were identified in BPAC’s 2018 Survey.  

• The first focused on popular shoreline roads that attract many walkers and bikers. 
• The second focused on our Green Hill schools’ campus and Safe Routes to School. 

The concepts behind the observations, analyses, and recommendations provided in the two RSAs will be used and applied to other areas and roads in town as we proceed with the bike/walk master plan.  

In late 2019, a consultant was hired to expand on BPAC’s preliminary work to evaluate and clarify bike/walk master plan options.  We hope to have something to share with the public for their feedback and input in 2020.  

Madison BPAC Outreach

Shoreline Safety Signs Initiative

Attractive signs with safety tips for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers were printed for display on Middle Beach Road, Middle Beach West, and Seaview.  Postcards sent to shoreline residents asking if they would like a sign displayed in their yard were enthusiastically received.  Committee members placed the signs in June and picked them up in the Fall.  Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and seemed to pay off with better awareness and acceptance of biking and walking rules of the road. 

BPAC Website, Facebook, Instagram

Check out the new community calendar on our website where you’ll find town biking and walking events listed.  It is easy to add your event or submit via our online form.  www.bikewalkmadisonct.org 

You can also take our survey to give us your comments and suggestions.

If you’re on Facebook, please visit, like, or follow us at  www.Facebook.com/bikewalkmadisonct

Thank you for your interest in Madison BPAC!