New Haven officials gave out some traffic-safety-themed goodie bags at a recent meeting attended by TSTC staff and others. TSTC’s bag bore the logo of New Haven’s Street Smarts traffic safety education program, which the city launched in October at around the same time its board of alders passed complete streets legislation. Inside was a water bottle, decal, flyer, and New Haven’s 2009 calendar, which includes information on Street Smarts in a mayor’s message in the front of the calendar and on the back.

Of course, the city’s actions have spoken louder than any swag. For a good overview of how much progress New Haven has made (and how far it has to go), check out this interview of New Haven Alderwoman and traffic calming champion Erin Sturgis-Pascale by BikePortland’s Elly Blue, a former resident of New Haven. Sturgis-Pascale praised New Haven director of transportation Mike Piscitelli for working with cycling advocates and said that new police chief James Lewis has made a huge difference when it comes to traffic enforcement.

However, Sturgis-Pascale said, bicycles are still “persona non grata” on many roads. Hopefully that’ll change as New Haven continues to spread its Street Smarts message, through swag and other means.