An alert “0688o” reader writes:
We moved to Westport several years ago, drawn by the gorgeous coastline, many amenities and amazing educational opportunities that the schools offer our young children.
Over time, a consistent topic on this blog, in local news, with elected officials and in conversations with friends has been Westport’s lack of safety for our bicyclists, walkers and runners. Nearly everyone I know has experienced near misses.
Recently, our school district felt it necessary to protect itself from liability by sending out a “Permission to Ride Bicycles to School” form.
At least a few kids ride their bikes to Long Lots Elementary School.
I understand the safety reasons behind this new requirement. But I think it’s sad it has to exist. There are so many benefits that biking or walking to school gives children.
I bet many “06880” readers experienced those beneifts themselves — independence, exercise, responsibility, social interaction, self-confidence to name just a few.
As the town nears completion of providing a safe route from the library to Compo Beach, we should be able to improve (where it makes sense) walkable/bikable routes to schools for our children.
