If you look carefully you can see the bike rack on the front of the bus
South Jersey bus routes have had bike racks since 2000 and on some routes especially in the Atlantic City Area the bike racks are very well used.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Is GoBus 28 North Jersey First Bus Bike Rack Route
On October 28th NJ TRANSIT will be launching GoBus28 a rapid bus route that will connect Bloomfield, Downtown Newark and Newark Airport. Unlike the other GoBus Route it looks like GoBus Route 28 will be using all new buses (NABI 416 Suburbans) which include bike racks (at least in the photo provided in the brochure). Since NJ TRANSIT has not been selling the bike racks as an amenity we are wondering if all the buses will indeed have bike racks.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Broad coalition calls for New Jersey "Complete Streets"
Citing the rising rate of pedestrian fatalities in New Jersey, a coalition of planning, environment, transportation and health groups today are calling on Governor Corzine to adopt a "Complete Streets" policy as a means of improving safety on roadways and creating viable transportation choices. The group includes the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, New Jersey Future, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the New Jersey Chapter of the AARP, Disability Rights New Jersey, and Environment NJ.
A Complete Streets policy would direct transportation agencies to design for walkers, bicyclists, motor vehicles, and transit riders and vehicles whenever a road is constructed or reconstructed. Tri-State Transportation Campaign has already successfully campaigned for complete streets legislation in Connecticut.
Read the press release and the NJ Future announcement.
A Complete Streets policy would direct transportation agencies to design for walkers, bicyclists, motor vehicles, and transit riders and vehicles whenever a road is constructed or reconstructed. Tri-State Transportation Campaign has already successfully campaigned for complete streets legislation in Connecticut.
Read the press release and the NJ Future announcement.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Report - Montclair Ride and Lunch
Thanks to everyone who attended the bike and lunch on Saturday, October 3rd in Montclair, organized by WalkBikeJersey and Bike and Walk Montclair. A handful of riders met on at Edgemont Park on a cool drizzly morning to ride around town with Mayor Jerry Fried on newly striped shoulders and talk about the trade-offs between shoulders and bike lanes, the proposed municipal complete streets policy (
After the ride we met up at Nauna's Bella Casa for some lunch and discussion, and were joined by some more people who arrived after the ride. Our far-ranging discussion covered issues such as driver education, bike access on transit, bike and pedestrian access on bridges, bike parking and municipal bike parking policies, and youth bike skills education. We also identified needs relating to local advocacy:
- helping local advocates organize and apply for grants
- helping local advocates share information with each other on what works
- bringing greater racial and cultural diversity to the community
- engaging and gaining the support of bike shop owners
- fundraising
- Is there a way for a statewide group to act as an umbrella organization for local groups, to apply for grants to fund local groups, or to hire a paid staff person to assist multiple advocacy groups?
- How can we facilitate communication between people working on bicycle and pedestrian issues across the state (listserv, directory, wiki, bike summit)?
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Montclair Defeats Complete Streets Bill
The first municipal test of a complete streets policy in New Jersey has failed. According to the Montclair Times Township Council rejected a policy that would require complete streets design guidelines for new and rehabilitated streets on a 4-3 vote. "No" voters on council cited increased costs and prioritizing pedestrians as reasons for turning the proposal down.
Montclair is a "built out" township therefore the municipality is not likely to any see any significant new road construction. Like many suburban locations it suffers from gaps in the pedestrian network and near zero accommodations for bicycles.
But as often is the case these days in municipal government any project with a dollar sign attached to it is seen as an tax burden (and political suicide) as opposed to an intelligent long term investment in the community. The Google Street View image below shows that it wouldn't take a major overhaul to "complete the streets". Both streets, which are typical here are wide enough for bike lanes and would require a few gallons of paint. The sidewalks, crosswalk and signals only need to be brought up to modern standards (curb cuts, ped signals, some more paint). At some point these roads are going to be rehabilitated, with much of the many to pay for it coming from the federal government.
We urge Montclair to lead by example for NJ and pass complete streets for the financial and physical health of the community. Lets give long time NJ suburban residents one less reason to flee to North Carolina.
View Larger Map
Montclair is a "built out" township therefore the municipality is not likely to any see any significant new road construction. Like many suburban locations it suffers from gaps in the pedestrian network and near zero accommodations for bicycles.
But as often is the case these days in municipal government any project with a dollar sign attached to it is seen as an tax burden (and political suicide) as opposed to an intelligent long term investment in the community. The Google Street View image below shows that it wouldn't take a major overhaul to "complete the streets". Both streets, which are typical here are wide enough for bike lanes and would require a few gallons of paint. The sidewalks, crosswalk and signals only need to be brought up to modern standards (curb cuts, ped signals, some more paint). At some point these roads are going to be rehabilitated, with much of the many to pay for it coming from the federal government.
We urge Montclair to lead by example for NJ and pass complete streets for the financial and physical health of the community. Lets give long time NJ suburban residents one less reason to flee to North Carolina.
View Larger Map
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
East Coast Greenway Hudson Loop Ride - Sunday, October 11th
On Sunday, October 11th at 8:00am The East Coast Greenway Alliance will be hosting their 2nd ANNUAL HUDSON RIVER LOOP TOUR along the Hudson River waterfront in both New Jersey and New York. The ride will explore both the West Side Greenway in New York City and the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway on the New Jersey side, both proposed spurs of the ECG.
Connections over the Hudson River will be made by ferry to the south and by riding over the George Washington Bridge to the north. There will also be two rides. A shorter 17 mile loop and a 25-30 mile route.
For more information about the ride and to sign up see:
http://ecghudsonloop.eventbrite.com/
Connections over the Hudson River will be made by ferry to the south and by riding over the George Washington Bridge to the north. There will also be two rides. A shorter 17 mile loop and a 25-30 mile route.
For more information about the ride and to sign up see:
http://ecghudsonloop.eventbrite.com/
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Advocacy Ride and Lunch - Oct. 3 - Montclair
On Saturday, October 3rd a few of us are organizing an informal lunch meeting and bike ride in Montclair about the future of New Jersey bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. This is the North Jersey edition of this meeting - if it's a success and there's interest, we may organize meetings in south Jersey and the Jersey Shore area. Of course, advocates from anywhere in New Jersey are welcome!
New Jersey has an active community of local bicycle and pedestrian advocates - but we don't talk often enough. Let's get together to talk about these opportunities:
1. Sharing knowledge and sweat equity to be even more effective locally.
2. Working together to plan common campaigns on high priority objectives.
3. Organizing to advocate at the state level for better laws and policies.
Here's the plan:
Ride!
10 am - 11:30 am
Meet at Edgemont Park, 292 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042
This is an easy-paced ride. We will be stopping at a few points along the way to learn how the mayor and citizens of Montclair have been working to make cycling and walking safer, and the challenges they've faced. This will set the stage for discussion about the issues common to all NJ towns. Family members are welcome on the ride, keeping in mind that we will be riding on some busy roads - so trailers and trail-a-bikes will be in order for younger kids.
Lunch and meet!
11:45am
Nauna's Bella Casa, 148 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ 07042
Discuss the future of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. Be sure to RSVP so we get enough tables.
Many thanks to Bike Montclair for help with hosting and organizing. RSVP below.
New Jersey has an active community of local bicycle and pedestrian advocates - but we don't talk often enough. Let's get together to talk about these opportunities:
1. Sharing knowledge and sweat equity to be even more effective locally.
2. Working together to plan common campaigns on high priority objectives.
3. Organizing to advocate at the state level for better laws and policies.
Here's the plan:
Ride!
10 am - 11:30 am
Meet at Edgemont Park, 292 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042
This is an easy-paced ride. We will be stopping at a few points along the way to learn how the mayor and citizens of Montclair have been working to make cycling and walking safer, and the challenges they've faced. This will set the stage for discussion about the issues common to all NJ towns. Family members are welcome on the ride, keeping in mind that we will be riding on some busy roads - so trailers and trail-a-bikes will be in order for younger kids.
Lunch and meet!
11:45am
Nauna's Bella Casa, 148 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ 07042
Discuss the future of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. Be sure to RSVP so we get enough tables.
Many thanks to Bike Montclair for help with hosting and organizing. RSVP below.
Friday, September 18, 2009
The 9W Bicycle Phenomenon - Part 2
Continuing north on 9W past those annoying "Bicyclists are required by law to ride single file" signs, the road is soon surrounded by the Palisades Interstate Park on both the east and west sides. Here is where the ride begins to get rather scenic and is reminiscent of roads much further away from New York City. This is part of the allure that brings so many New Yorkers over the GWB and onto 9W in the first place. At this point 9W has a nice wide shoulder on both sides that is mostly swept free of debris which provides for relatively relaxing riding.
Things are pretty uneventful along the route until we reach the site of Jessica Purcell's severe crash that Jen Benepe reported about last month. Short before 9W cross into New York State there is a traffic light that allows motorist to make a left to enter the Palisades Interstate Parkway. This light is located at the bottom of a valley and bicyclists easily reach speeds in excess of 35 mph so they can maintain their momentum to help get up the other side. When we passed through the light was green and there were no issues but I can see how a cyclist could get distracted for a moment and not be able to stop if a car stops for the light at this intersection. Unfortunately the right side shoulder was eliminated recently to make for a left turn bay for cars to increase motorist safety but this has left no run-off room for cyclists.
View Larger Map
What I did notice however was that the center yellow gore striping went on for quite a ways on both sides of this intersection. While done to increase motorists' safety by making sure to keep cars separated around the blind curve leading up to that intersection, the nature in which it was done eliminated the shoulder on both sides. As such cyclists have no where else to ride in except the travel lane. While not such a big deal in the north bound direction, the elimination of the shoulder becomes a big deal going south since there is a considerable climb and bicyclists' speeds are sure to be rather slow.
Interestingly enough an older streets view image shows this stretch of 9W prior to the recent restriping.
View Larger Map
What is sad here is that during the reconfiguration of the roadway, the engineers did not seem to take into consideration the needs of the thousands of cyclists that use the roadway, as evident in the design. While undoubtedly safer for motorists, the new design sure did not feel safer to this cyclist. What is somewhat annoying from a cyclist's perspective is that the center gore striping leading up to the intersection pictured at top seems excessively long. It wouldn't be so bad if it were for a 100 or 200 yards but it goes on for nearly half a mile!
Anyway soon after this we enter New York State and took a right turn down to the exquisitly beautiful riverside town of Piermont. Riding north now along quite Piermont Ave cyclists are treated to stunning views of the Hudson River along with beautiful homes. Soon after leaving Piermont the road changes names and turns into River Rd. Along the way there are non-regulation signs posted very high stating that cyclists must ride single file. Now I'm not an expert on NY State law pertaining to cycling so local towns may be able to pass there own ordinances that further restrict how a bicycle may operate. Still Jen told me that the relationship between the local police and cyclists here is also rather confrontational. From these signs, I didn't find that hard to believe.
Still the traffic is very light on this road and the scenary just to stunning to worry about such things. Soon we passed underneath the Tappanzee Bridge and enter Nyack which is also a very beautiful river town. After we made a few turns we entered Nyack's downtown and took a break at a cafe' / bakery. What greets me here is a sight rarely seen in the USA; dozens if not 100 or more bicycles and they were everywhere! There must have been at least 1/2 million dollars worth of bikes there. This cafe' has obviously profited handsomely by catering to these cyclists and bicycle parking was at such a premium that one or two on-street parking spaces were converted over to bicycle parking, something VERY rarely seen, particularly on the East Coast. The picture below only captures a small part of the scene and one of Jen's gregarious friends.
I was amazed by what I had seen. There was no doubt after seeing this velo-spectacle that Route 9W must have the greatest concentration of cyclist anywhere in New Jersey.
Soon Jen and I, along with several of her friends headed back south to Jersey. As we continued south dozens of cyclists kept on coming north. That newly restriped section of 9W proved to be rather uncomfortable as cars passed us as we climbed. Fortunately traffic volumes were still rather light. Further south still, Jen and I parted ways as she needed to get back to her place and I wanted to ride the enchanted (if very bumpy) Henry Hudson Drive that actually enters Palisades Interstate Park and goes below the cliffs. From there I went underneath the GWB and used the new bike path that leads to the bridge so I could ride to Manhattan and do a loop around Central Park. All the while cyclists are still coming and going. Even when I return from my loop and cross back to New Jersey, dozens of cyclists continue to cross the bridge in both directions.
If the sight of hundreds of bicycles at that cafe' in Nyack didn't prove the incredible popularity of the 9W ride, this continued stream of riders over the GWB, over a period that spanned several hours sure did.
Things are pretty uneventful along the route until we reach the site of Jessica Purcell's severe crash that Jen Benepe reported about last month. Short before 9W cross into New York State there is a traffic light that allows motorist to make a left to enter the Palisades Interstate Parkway. This light is located at the bottom of a valley and bicyclists easily reach speeds in excess of 35 mph so they can maintain their momentum to help get up the other side. When we passed through the light was green and there were no issues but I can see how a cyclist could get distracted for a moment and not be able to stop if a car stops for the light at this intersection. Unfortunately the right side shoulder was eliminated recently to make for a left turn bay for cars to increase motorist safety but this has left no run-off room for cyclists.
View Larger Map
What I did notice however was that the center yellow gore striping went on for quite a ways on both sides of this intersection. While done to increase motorists' safety by making sure to keep cars separated around the blind curve leading up to that intersection, the nature in which it was done eliminated the shoulder on both sides. As such cyclists have no where else to ride in except the travel lane. While not such a big deal in the north bound direction, the elimination of the shoulder becomes a big deal going south since there is a considerable climb and bicyclists' speeds are sure to be rather slow.
Interestingly enough an older streets view image shows this stretch of 9W prior to the recent restriping.
View Larger Map
What is sad here is that during the reconfiguration of the roadway, the engineers did not seem to take into consideration the needs of the thousands of cyclists that use the roadway, as evident in the design. While undoubtedly safer for motorists, the new design sure did not feel safer to this cyclist. What is somewhat annoying from a cyclist's perspective is that the center gore striping leading up to the intersection pictured at top seems excessively long. It wouldn't be so bad if it were for a 100 or 200 yards but it goes on for nearly half a mile!
Anyway soon after this we enter New York State and took a right turn down to the exquisitly beautiful riverside town of Piermont. Riding north now along quite Piermont Ave cyclists are treated to stunning views of the Hudson River along with beautiful homes. Soon after leaving Piermont the road changes names and turns into River Rd. Along the way there are non-regulation signs posted very high stating that cyclists must ride single file. Now I'm not an expert on NY State law pertaining to cycling so local towns may be able to pass there own ordinances that further restrict how a bicycle may operate. Still Jen told me that the relationship between the local police and cyclists here is also rather confrontational. From these signs, I didn't find that hard to believe.
Still the traffic is very light on this road and the scenary just to stunning to worry about such things. Soon we passed underneath the Tappanzee Bridge and enter Nyack which is also a very beautiful river town. After we made a few turns we entered Nyack's downtown and took a break at a cafe' / bakery. What greets me here is a sight rarely seen in the USA; dozens if not 100 or more bicycles and they were everywhere! There must have been at least 1/2 million dollars worth of bikes there. This cafe' has obviously profited handsomely by catering to these cyclists and bicycle parking was at such a premium that one or two on-street parking spaces were converted over to bicycle parking, something VERY rarely seen, particularly on the East Coast. The picture below only captures a small part of the scene and one of Jen's gregarious friends.
Soon Jen and I, along with several of her friends headed back south to Jersey. As we continued south dozens of cyclists kept on coming north. That newly restriped section of 9W proved to be rather uncomfortable as cars passed us as we climbed. Fortunately traffic volumes were still rather light. Further south still, Jen and I parted ways as she needed to get back to her place and I wanted to ride the enchanted (if very bumpy) Henry Hudson Drive that actually enters Palisades Interstate Park and goes below the cliffs. From there I went underneath the GWB and used the new bike path that leads to the bridge so I could ride to Manhattan and do a loop around Central Park. All the while cyclists are still coming and going. Even when I return from my loop and cross back to New Jersey, dozens of cyclists continue to cross the bridge in both directions.
If the sight of hundreds of bicycles at that cafe' in Nyack didn't prove the incredible popularity of the 9W ride, this continued stream of riders over the GWB, over a period that spanned several hours sure did.
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