SENATOR HONIG PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR BIKE RENTALS AT STRATTON BROOK STATE PARK, ENCOURAGES PUBLIC COMMENT

November 13, 2026

State Senator Paul Honig (D-Torrington) this week submitted public comments to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in support of a proposal to provide bicycle rentals at several state parks across Connecticut, including Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury, endorsing their potential to improve outdoor recreation opportunities and drive increased interest in local businesses and tourism.

DEEP recently issued a Request for Proposals to offer bicycle rentals along State Park trails, including the Farmington River Trail at Stratton Brook State Park, as well as trails in Pomfret, Colchester, Hebron, Bolton and Sterling. DEEP encourages public comment through Friday, November 20 seeking feedback.

Sen. Honig, an avid bicyclist and supporter of outdoor recreation and Connecticut’s public spaces, expressed confidence “this initiative will provide new and meaningful opportunities for members of the public to enjoy our new state parks in a new way.” He noted the rentals would provide more access to healthy outdoor exercise and recreation and draw more people to state parks, also encouraging DEEP to tie rentals to local landmarks and businesses to support tourism and local economies.

Comments on DEEP’s RFP can be emailed to DEEP.parksdivisionRFP@ct.gov with the subject line Bicycle Rentals Proposed RFP Comments through November 20. More details can be found here.

Sen. Honig‘s full comments are available below:

November 13, 2026

I write today to offer strong support for DEEP’s proposal to offer bicycle rentals at several state parks across Connecticut, including Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury, part of the Senate District I represent. As an avid bicyclist myself, and a strong supporter of outdoor recreation and Connecticut’s public spaces, I am confident this initiative will provide new and meaningful opportunities for members of the public to enjoy our great state parks in a new way, allowing for easy access for the public and chances for further expansion in the future.

Our state parks offer beautiful and enjoyable settings year-round, and offering easy, direct access to bicycle rentals can increase the ways members of the public can experience them. It’s a welcome option for members of the public who do not own bicycles or cannot easily transport them to state parks. These rentals will also allow the public to more thoroughly explore our state parks, exploring trails and features that some may not otherwise experience. I’m excited by the prospect of seeing more residents on two wheels.

As far as proposed standards for operators, my primary concern is that these rentals are safe for the public. Operators should have experience monitoring and preserving the quality and safety of offered bicycles and prospective bicyclists should have access to helmets and safety courses, especially for the inexperienced. Preserving public safety should be a primary goal for this effort.

I also encourage DEEP and prospective vendors to look into the prospect of tying rental offerings to other significant features in communities, such as local landmarks and businesses, to foster an increase in tourism and support local economies. If successful, this effort could be expanded to additional state parks, offering a significant opportunity to enhance and support communities statewide.

DEEP’s proposals for bicycle rentals in Connecticut state parks is extremely encouraging, and I look forward to learning more about the next steps in this potential program for public benefit and support.

Sincerely, State Senator Paul Honig