July 17th, 2023

The “Safe Lovely Street” Project

By The Green Valley Volunteers

Headed by M Gokalp Gokcen

Contents-

1- The Goal

2- The “How”

The Valley, for years now has been striving for improvement and modernization with the infrastructure supporting our daily livelihoods, from roads to new trails. Unfortunately, we’re not done.

One of the most important arterial roads found in the community is Lovely Street. Whether it may be scenic and beautiful does not detract from the fact, it is unsafe. For years now, I, personally, have used it to get from one part of the town to the other with my friends and family via biking or often just walking across the street to get to a neighbor. No one can ignore the incredibly high speeds at which you often encounter drivers going. It is not their fault for the street is designed for high speeds with motor vehicles. But it detracts from the quality of life for those who try to get somewhere without a car. It’s not uncommon for the fear of being hit to be a driving force of often not being able to even use the road for long amounts of time, due to safety concerns. Thus I propose along with the rest of us, Green Valley Volunteers, to implement the first separated Bike lanes on a major Arterial road in the Farmington Valley, but how?

To embark on this project, we need the full support of the towns for modernizing our infrastructure with up-to-date equipment to fulfill this goal. Currently, those utilizing Bicycles are, very often, forced to adhere to spaces of 3 feet or less Including the actual painted stripe itself(the actual amount of space is far less). To accompany the tiny amount of space, allowing for little error on behalf of cyclists (often children, young adults, and many more), Automobiles are going at speeds of 30–40 miles per hour (MPH) officially (usually higher speeds than allotted for are common), while cyclists rarely make upwards of 15 MPH. With this dangerous situation at hand, to solve this we must do this-

1.Create safe, separated bike lanes, with physical barriers on the side closest to Automobile traffic

2.Have a continuous, uniform width for the entirety of the roadway not falling under 3.5 feet( to do this, the towns can utilize the frontage of lots allowed to be used for infrastructure projects)

3.Ensure safe interchanges and exits for driveways, streets, and other roadways that do not hinder the safety of the driver and cyclist.

I believe that if we work together to find a solution for this problem, we can no doubt enhance the strive for modernization and improvement in our Farmington Valley for a brighter future for all.

Sincerely,

M.Gokalp Gokcen

November 9th, 2023

By The Green Valley Volunteers

Headed by M Gokalp Gokcen

To the Town Governments of the Farmington Valley and the State of Connecticut

Contents-

1- Our Situation

2- Our Continuation

For several weeks now, we have been engaged in a comprehensive campaign to spread awareness and gain the support of the people of the Farmington Valley. The accomplishment of The Safe Lovely Street Project is a necessity for public safety, as proven by the dangers seen in the video documentary series we have published on numerous social media platforms. Our project seeks. as well, to have our valley act as a bastion of modern and progressive infrastructure, upon which the entire country can model itself on. An achievement which all the people of Connecticut can be proud of and look forward to carrying on. A torch of hope to preserve through time and on.

From the thousands of views upon our social media campaign, to the hundreds of personal interactions with many friends, neighbors, and folk of the Farmington Valley alike. Our community upholds my belief that with their crucial support, it is now up to our state, and the Towns of the Farmington Valley to fulfill the wishes of the people, and cooperate for a greater, greener, and safer future for all.

The success of our project depends on the implementation of the three points outlined below.

1.Create safe, separated bike lanes, with physical barriers on the side closest to Automobile traffic (separation of grades established through bollards)

2.Have a continuous, uniform width for the entirety of the roadway, not falling under 5 feet as State guidelines stipulate. (to do this, the Towns can utilize the frontage of lots under their right of way, allowed to be used for infrastructure projects)

3.Ensure safe interchanges and exits for driveways, streets, and other roadways that do not hinder the safety of the driver and cyclist. This can be established by employing innovative modern methods of Traffic calming infrastructure and safe crossings.

If we work together and push through to implement our project, we can have no doubt that we will enhance our state’s path to a more safe, modern, and green future for all.

Sincerely,

M.Gokalp Gokcen