Opinion

Police Chief: Back-to-School Traffic Safety and E-Bike Awareness

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[John DiFederico is chief of New Canaan Police.]

As the 2026–2027 school year begins, the New Canaan Police Department wants to ensure that every student, parent, pedestrian, and commuter travels safely across town. With increased morning and afternoon traffic around our schools, neighborhood roadways, and downtown streets, we ask all drivers, bicyclists, and e-bike riders to remain vigilant. Officers will be conducting heightened traffic enforcement near all school zones, bus routes, and crosswalks to safeguard our students. Key Traffic & Driving Guidelines

Obey School Zone Speed Limits: Speed limits in active school zones drop significantly. Slow down and give yourself extra time during peak morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up hours.

News

Op-Ed: Police, Schools Working on E-Bike Safety

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[John DiFederico is chief of the New Canaan Police Department.]

In response to complaints about local juveniles on e-bikes speeding, being reckless and nearly colliding with automobiles, and the increasing number of reports from across the country of life-threatening injuries from e-bike accidents, New Canaan Police continues to address the issue in our community. It has been about a year-and-a-half since our patrol officers and Community Impact Officer started working directly with the community to inform them about proper use of electric bicycles and scooters on our local streets. Our efforts have not let up. Our public relations campaign, which started in April 2024, continues in local news media, Town information outlets and social media. Further, we are now collaborating with New Canaan Public Schools where administrators are working with middle school students to develop a multi-media program to get the word out to youth e-bike riders about safe and proper use of e-bikes on our roads.