Many residents of Connecticut’s cities get to and from work, school, shopping and appointments on foot or by bicycle. In Hartford and New Haven, for example, nearly 30% of households don’t own a car. “Any of my errands, I do on my bike,” said Hartford resident Saint Croix, who uses his bicycle multiple times a day. “It’s free, just manpower. And Hartford is small.” State officials, recognizing the need for city streets and state roads to be safe and accessible for residents like Croix, have recently begun shifting gears.  Last year, the Department of Transportation established a unit dedicated to so-called “active transportation,” which collaborates on multimodal projects and administers education and grant programs promoting bicycle and pedestrian safety. And after overwhelming interest in the first round of its electric bicycle voucher program, the Department of Energy and Environment Protection opened a second round this week.  One of most wide-reaching recent shifts, transportation leaders say, stems from a policy tweak in August 2023, when DOT set a new requirement that all its projects — regardless of mode — must incorporate pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure and public transit accommodations. “There has been a significant culture change,” Anna Bergeron, who leads the active transportation unit, said. Supporting Connecticut residents who bike or walk is now considered a priority for the department rather than an afterthought, she said.  In a state like Connecticut, where the cost of living is more than 20% higher than the national average, offering more economical transportation options can have a meaningful impact for the workforce. The total cost of owning a car, for example, can be over $1,000 a month.  Bike lanes around Hartford are meant to facilitate commutes by bike. A third of the city's households don't own a car. “Investing in good multimodal transit, like bike lanes, sidewalks and public transportation, has an economic impact. It helps people get to jobs, especially if they don't have a car, and that's key for a lot of workers in our cities,” Bergeron said. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that about 2.5% of New Haven commuters use bicycles, the highest rate in the state. Bridgeport, Hartford, Stamford and Waterbury all have estimates of less than one half of one percent. And while it can be difficult to track how many people commute by bike in urban centers, Bergeron said the department has seen the numbers tick up in recent years as it’s worked to improve cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. Major DOT initiatives, like the new parking garage at the Stamford Transportation Center, were developed with active transportation in mind; the garage has 120 bicycle parking spaces and 50 charging stations for e-bikes. DOT also recently completed a $31 million pedestrian and bicycle path running alongside Route 3 where it crosses the Putnam Bridge over the Connecticut River, roughly 5 miles south of Hartford.  A cyclist rides past a convenience store in the South Green neighborhood of Hartford. Many residents use their bikes for daily commutes to work or to run errands. Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror Other recent efforts include a $229,000 award to the town of Cromwell through DOT’s Community Connectivity Grant Program, which will aid the town in adding sidewalks and curb ramps near three large housing developments, improving accessibility to nearby business districts. The department also offers small grants to schools and community organizations for purchasing bike helmets, locks and other safety equipment, and it promotes active transportation for kids through its Safe Routes to School program. Still, Connecticut has a way to go. According to the League of American Bicyclists, only 11 of Connecticut’s cities and towns are considered “bike friendly.” And an alarming number of pedestrians have been killed on Connecticut roads and streets in recent years. A cyclist rides down the sidewalk on Park Street in Hartford, as there are no bike lanes in that section of the South Green. Community organizations in several Connecticut cities — Bradley Street Bicycle Co-Op in New Haven, People Friendly Stamford and Bikeport Co-Op in Bridgeport — offer support to “utility cyclists,” who use bikes primarily as a mode of transportation rather than a leisure activity.  In Hartford, BiCi Co. at the Center for Latino Progress opens its shop twice a week to community members who need help with bicycle repairs, and it offers low-cost training programs as well as used bicycles for sale. Each month, the organization hosts a “Hartford Bike Jam,” where riders meet up and explore different routes through the city, with an emphasis on safety.  On a recent Wednesday afternoon, 16-year-old Jinelis Costas stopped by the BiCi Co. to get lights attached to her bike so she can ride at night.  Jinelis Costas learned to build her own bike in BiCi Co's "Earn-a-Bike" program last year. She returns frequently to the BiCi Co shop to get help with maintenance. "I come here very often," she said. The tools and equipment are mostly donated, Costas said, so "Most of the time I don't really have to pay." Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror “I ride it literally everywhere. When I leave my house I cannot leave without my bike,” Costas said. “I prefer riding my bike over walking. It’s just funner, and it gets you places faster.” Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said in his neighborhood, roughly half the residents lack access to a car. “That means we need a whole range of transportation options,” he said. “Biking is not just about being green and doing what's right for the environment — although that is incredibly important — but it's also important because it gets people around our city.” "Any of my errands, I do on my bike," says Saint Croix, who uses his bike every day. "It's free, just manpower. And Hartford is small." Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror Arulampalam was speaking at a press conference announcing DEEP’s new round of vouchers available for residents interested in buying an e-bike. DEEP is accepting applications until Oct. 1 at 8 p.m., and the department is prioritizing applicants from lower-income households and “environmental justice” communities.  Eligible applicants can receive vouchers for up to $1,250. E-bikes typically cost $1,500 or more.  Unlike regular bicycles, e-bikes have a battery-powered motor that makes them easier to pedal. They’re particularly useful for older riders or individuals with asthma or joint pain who are wary of more strenuous cycling. The motor also allows riders to extend the distance they’re capable of traveling and makes it easier to ride uphill.  “Biking is not just about being green and doing what's right for the environment ... it's also important because it gets people around our city.”Arunan Arulampalam, Hartford Mayor Margarita Plaks, an e-bike rider who attended the DEEP event, said e-bikes change the experience of cycling. “You will feel like you’re flying,” she said. DEEP has also supported Hartford’s efforts to expand its walking and biking trails, providing a $160,000 grant to help connect active transportation networks between neighborhoods, parks and the Connecticut Riverfront. And last month, Hartford relaunched a scooter program, deploying 220 scooters on city streets to provide an additional option for local commuters.  Veo scooters parked in Hartford's downtown are part of a new 220-scooter fleet. Low income riders can apply for a discounted rate of $5 a month for 30 minutes of riding per day. Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror Bergeron said between her unit’s efforts at DOT, expanded programs at DEEP and increasing local advocacy across many parts of the state, Connecticut’s towns and cities are becoming more walkable, bike-friendly and accessible for everyone.  “I think we're definitely on the right path moving forward,” she said.