Kimberly Devine, 12, went for a bike ride along Strawberry Hill Avenue with her brother Kevin.
Photo credit: Joan Gaylord

When Kimberly Devine went for a bike ride on Strawberry Hill Avenue on Monday, she and her brother Kevin stayed to the right of the white line in an area safer for bicyclists. The city plans to provide a similar lane for those who travel along another busy street-- Gregory Boulevard.

While not technically a bike lane, the city plans to mark “shoulder stripes” on Gregory Boulevard to make the street safer for bicyclists, said Michael Yeosock, an engineer with Norwalk’s department of public works. The new markings will be similar to those currently found on Strawberry Hill Avenue, he said. Those markings clearly indicate the width of the automobile lane and leave a wide edge that is suitable for bicyclists.

Residents had petitioned the city to include bike lanes as part of this summer’s extensive repaving work. Gregory Boulevard, a wide street that leads to the public beaches, was at the top of their list. The DPW is currently in the midst of repaving Gregory Boulevard.

Hal Alvord, the director of public works, said a formal traffic study would be necessary before engineers could formally modify traffic patterns and add a dedicated bike lane. While he said he was receptive to the idea, there was not sufficient time to conduct the study ahead of the repaving. David Marcus, who led the community effort, said he was pleased with the plan to add the shoulder stripes.