Greenways & Cycling Systems

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In recent years, the City of New Haven has developed miles of bike lanes and cycle tracks. Substantial progress has been made on the Farmington Canal Greenway and the Harborside Trail, and in 2017, the City debuted the state’s first two-way protected cycle tracks on Long Wharf Drive.

Thanks to funding from the State of Connecticut, 2019 will see the opening of two more protected cycle tracks in our city on Edgewood Avenue and on Howard Avenue. Phase 2 of the Route 34 Downtown Crossing project will also result in the construction of the first protected bicycle intersection in Connecticut, at the intersection of Orange Street, MLK Jr. Boulevard, and South Frontage Road. Many more bike lanes, cycle tracks, and traffic safety projects are on the horizon.

The City’s Vision 2025 document identifies multimodal transportation options as a primary transportation goal for the City: “The primary transportation goal is to encourage a modal shift in the city, from a population largely dependent on single-occupant vehicles to a population with a wide range of options including public transit, bike, and pedestrian systems. In general, transit and bike/pedestrian improvements must complement each other and accommodate needs of people of all ages and abilities.”

It is easy to see why, in 2018, New Haven earned the designation as a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Cyclists. For comprehensive resources on bicycling in New Haven, navigate to the Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department’s Bike New Haven page.

Maps

Interactive Map of Bike Routes
Updated regularly, this map show both those bike lanes which are separated from traffic and those which are on the road next to mixed traffic.

City of New Haven Bike Route Map
This map shows bike lanes, shared lane markings, off-street shared use paths, unmarked suggested routes, bike shops, train stations, and parks.

Go New Haven Go Bike Map (2015)
Developed by Elm City Cycling and designed by Brian Tang, this bike map includes bike lanes, bike shops, self-service bike repair stations, and bus routes.

Elm City Cycle Map
Developed by Elm City Cycling in 2013, this map includes New Haven bike infrastructure, regional bike routes, local bike shops, and swimming opportunities.

New Haven Green Map (2006)
The map is intended to build an understanding and appreciation for the City's unparalleled environmental resources. The mission of the Green Map System is to strengthen the community's awareness of and connection to the urban ecology through locally created visual representations of hometown environments. Green Maps illuminate the inter-connections between society, nature and the built environment, helping residents make lower impact lifestyle choices and discover great ways to get involved in the urban ecology.

Resources & Documents

Transportation, Traffic, and Parking Department: Bike New Haven
For comprehensive resources on bicycling in New Haven, navigate to the Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department’s Bike New Haven page.

Plan for Greenways and Cycling Systems (April 2004)
Greenways and Cycling Systems proposes a system of greenways and multi-purpose nonmotorized trails in New Haven. The plan was prepared in response to and support of the new Comprehensive Plan of Development and various community initiatives.

2015 Comprehensive Plan - Vision 2025/Transportation
New Haven Vision 2025 is the city's update to the 2003 Comprehensive Plan. It is a blueprint of the city's vision for the future, and a policy guide for achieving the city's planning goals. It serves as a decision-making guide for residents and elected and appointed local government officials in matters relating to land use, public investments, and capital improvement programs. The Transportation chapter of this document covers current conditions in vehicular transportation, passenger rail, the public bus system, waterborne transportation, freight, air transportation, and bicycle and pedestrian networks, and presents a series of planning principles and recommendations.

Community Links

Bike New Haven (Bike Share)
Bike New Haven is the official New Haven Bike Share program. Bike New Haven is a fun, convenient and healthy way to get around New Haven for locals and visitors alike. Bike New Haven provides the most convenient option for choosing bicycling for errands around town, sightseeing, or just for fun! Users can check out and return bikes interchangeably from stations conveniently located throughout New Haven.

Elm City Cycling
Elm City Cycling is a volunteer-run, member-supported non-profit organization that aims to make New Haven a better place to get around by bicycle by both advocating for better bicycling conditions and organizing fun events like the monthly Bike to Work Breakfast.

New Haven Bike Month
New Haven Bike Month is a month-long celebration of biking culture in May in collaboration with the City of New Haven and many dedicated community members. By working closely with New Haven neighbors and neighborhoods on planning events throughout the month, Bike Month is building towards a vision where every person in every neighborhood feels safe, excited, and empowered to ride their bikes.

Go New Haven Go
GoNewHavengo is a sustainable transportation coalition that encourages healthier, cleaner, and cheaper travel in the Greater New Haven Area. Every September, goNewHavengo hosts the CarFree Challenge and month of events, giving individuals and businesses access to a wide range of transportation resources.

CTRides
CTrides is a free program that helps commuters find the best way to get to work or school, providing resources for choice commuting options throughout Connecticut, including bus, rail, carpools, vanpools, biking, walking, and teleworking.

East Coast Greenway Alliance
The East Coast Greenway connects 15 states, 450 cities and towns, and 3,000 miles of people-powered trails from Maine to Florida —the country’s longest biking and walking route. The nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance works with partners at every level, from federal and regional officials to state committees, local officials, and legions of dedicated volunteers to bring the dream of this 3,000-mile route to life.

Bradley Street Bike Co-op
The Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op is a community bike shop working towards an equitable New Haven by getting people on bikes. The Co-op is located in the East Rock neighborhood of New Haven and is a community space and a place to come work on your bike. Programs include a bicycle recycling program, open shop hours, and a used bike shop.

New Haven Friends of the Farmington Canal Greenway
A community group fostering stewardship and public safety along the New Haven section of the Farmington Canal Greenway/Heritage Trail.

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