By blazer8696 in June, 2008
I wonder about the possibility of the Ridgefield Rail Trail being opened for bicycle traffic. If the final mile from the east end of the trail was connected to the Branchville Metro-North station it would be a great way for commuters wishing to ride to get to the big city.
I'm sure a lot of commuters would enjoy the quick ride to Branchville in the morning but the uphill (about 100 feet per mile) commute home after a hard day's work might be a little intimidating.
Most of the final mile's railbed is still in place although I expect at least some is private property. At one point it appears the driveway for a residence is built upon it. This trail would either need to be cleared or the already too narrow Florida Rd would need a bike lane. Add a few racks where bikes could be secured at Branchville Station and allow bicycle traffic after dark like the northern portion of the American Tobacco Trail and it would be great for commuters.
Metro-North already allows bicycles on many off-peak trains and there's talk about finding a way to do this on more trains.
By Sean H in October, 2007
"Just checked web link on this page and the resulting website has a picture of a sign indicating that bicycles are not welcome. -Sean H, 08/04/2007."
By Danbury Dave in June, 2006
"The only railtrail that I've ridden that doesn't allow bikes. (I blame that on the usual snobbiness of Ridgefielders) but I rode on my bike and saw countless other bikers with kids in tow. Basically, it's a great trail from the Playhouse Barn near Sunset Road/Prospect Street Extension and it's downhill to Florida Road. You rarely have to pedal. Nice street crossings.
If you have an old atlas of Fairfield County, the old rail line with depot is still on it. The old depot is still standing with additions to it. It's a lumber warehouse down the street.
The trail abruptly ends but doesn't tell you. Across the street is another fence covered by brush. I squeezed around it but that was the utility trail and it's too overgrown to go further. On the map, the trail crosses Florida Road many times before coming down to the current Branchville depot. If you make a right off the trail and coast downhill, you can stop for a snack at Ancona's market."