Community Spotlight: Bike West Hartford

July 23, 2026
Aaron Frankel
black and white photo of three children biking during a Center Streets event in West Hartford, CT

At Franklin & Frankel, we’re proud to be part of West Hartford, not just as a business, but as neighbors and members of this community. Every so often, we like to use this space to shine a light on the people and organizations working to make our town a better place to live. This month, we’re spotlighting Bike West Hartford.

Who They Are

Bike West Hartford is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to make our streets safer and more welcoming for everyone who walks, bikes, or takes transit around town. Their work sits at the heart of West Hartford’s Vision Zero initiative, the town-wide commitment to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries through better street design, smarter policy, and stronger community engagement. That shows up in ways both large and small, from pushing for safer crosswalks and protected bike lanes to weighing in on town planning decisions. 

A Cause with Personal Meaning

One part of Bike West Hartford’s work carries particular weight. When a pedestrian is killed by a vehicle in town, the organization holds a vigil. It’s a quiet, powerful way of making sure a life lost on our streets is never reduced to a statistic, and a reminder that Vision Zero is about neighbors and families, not just policy. 

This cause is personal for our firm, too. Ethan and Tracy Frankel, Aaron’s parents, both serve on the Bike West Hartford Board of Directors, and our founder, Scott Franklin, has long been active with the organization as well. Keep an eye out, you may even spot Aaron out running or biking around town himself.

Mark Your Calendar: Center Streets 2026

If you want to see Bike West Hartford’s mission in action, don’t miss Center Streets on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 9am to 1pm. This beloved open-street festival closes a four-block loop in West Hartford Center, including Farmington Avenue, South Main Street, Memorial Road Extension, and LaSalle Road, to cars for a morning of biking, strolling, live music, and neighborhood fun. Expect brunch specials, merchant discounts, and games for kids too. It’s a great, low-key way to experience what a more walkable, bikeable West Hartford could look like every day.

Get Involved

Bike West Hartford relies on community support to keep its mission moving forward. Here’s how you can help:

We’re proud to call Bike West Hartford our neighbor, and grateful for the work they do to keep West Hartford’s streets safer for all of us. Be a part of the change to make our streets safer, and take the Safe Driver Pledge. Learn more at bikewesthartford.org.

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