New Haven Independent

The rain kept the number of regular and first-time bike commuters way down from what had promised to be a good turnout, based on all the publicity that went out and all the phone calls and emails flying around this week. Lots of people were looking forward to a chance to ride in a group (safety in numbers, or at least that’s the hope) and learn some secret awesome route lined with shade trees and chirping birds and no four-wheeled vehicles.

Well, that fairly describes my route for much of my regular four-mile commute from Hamden into the New Haven Green. So I led what turned out to be the biggest of the three group rides we at Elm City Cycling had planned to the Green from the north, west and east — all six of us, and that included three New Haven bike cops. (We did feel safe!)

My ride goes right through East Rock Park, which is beautiful at all seasons, but the most beautiful in the spring, when the birds are chirping madly.

Other Elm City Cyclers had already set up breakfast on the Green — fortunately under the big waterproof awning over the stage. We got a big hurrah as we rode in. And I learned something valuable: like many other cyclists, I don’t often ride to my destination if it’s already raining when I start out, but I often ride home in the rain if it starts later (or put my bike on one of the bike racks that now adorn every city bus). What I learned is that, with decent rain gear, I can ride in the rain with no problem. On Bike to Work Day, the only part of me that got wet was my feet (and I was wearing rubber sandals). This realization was liberating, because now there will be even fewer days when I have to take the bus or scramble with my spouse to share our car.

Like all of us who cycle regularly, Elm City stalwart Joel Creswell bike commutes for lots of reasons — to save money, reduce environmental impact, promote health and enjoy the outdoors. He says the spike in gasoline prices makes bike commuting more practical than ever. “And each person who bikes instead of driving,” he adds, “can eliminate their own little share of greenhouse gases. For comparison, each Civic Hybrid produces just under four tons of greenhouse gases for every 15,000 miles driven. A Ford Explorer — one of the most popular SUVs, but far from the largest — produces almost three times more greenhouse gas emissions than the Civic. And a bicycle? Zero.”

Joel graduates on Monday from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and departs New Haven. He’s been an important part of the New Haven cycling community. But, like others who have left before him, he’ll always be part of the gang. And new folks keep coming around, because this community we are building is a key link in the liveability of our city.

So, cycling is great around New Haven. But New Haven remains the Connecticut city with the highest number of accidents between motor vehicles and cyclists or pedestrians. Tragically, the death of Alexander Capelluto adds to that list. Improving safety remains a high priority for cycling advocates.