Public Meeting on Bike and Pedestrian Study

[BrianSullivan]

There will be an open meeting on December 20th at borough hall pertaining to the Bike and Pedestrian study that Councilman Newman has been working aggressively on. It is to be held between 4 PM and 6:30 PM in an informal fashion. People are welcome to filter in and out. Feedback an input from the public is very welcome.

Later that night at the council meeting, a presentation will be made to the mayor and council.

Attachments:

[lisas84]

Hi, Brian!

Listen, is there a way that guests can simply click on the flyer picture to read it? It would be a great service. I can imagine the frustration some may feel when the "you must log in" message pops up.

[admin]

Dec 3, 2010 11:16:53 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

Hi, Brian!

Listen, is there a way that guests can simply click on the flyer picture to read it? It would be a great service. I can imagine the frustration some may feel when the "you must log in" message pops up.

I took a quick look and cannot find a way to change that. I did not even realize tha was the case till you pointed it out. If i can figure out how to change it, I will. This limitation defeats the purpose if people cannot read it.

[BrianSullivan]

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-12-08/Front_Page/Bicycle_pedestrian_plan_to_be_presented.html

[BrianSullivan]

www.app.com/article/20101213/NEWS/12130344/Comment-sought-on-biking-walking-plans

Click on the link, this is a good update. Among the recommendations listed:

The ideas generated from those meetings include:

Extend Henry Hudson Trail farther into the borough

Add more bicycle racks downtown

Create a trail along the Conrail line

Construct "on-road bicycle facilities" such as bicycle lanes, paved shoulders and shared bicycle/vehicle lanes

Install a traffic signal at the corner of West Main and Throckmorton streets

Add crosswalks on East Main Street and at the intersections of South, Marcy and McLean streets

Construct additional sidewalks on Park Avenue and Throckmorton Street

Disseminate traffic safety information to two targeted populations — new Hispanic immigrants and Hispanic males

Create a Freehold bicycle map with safe bicycling tips, road recommendations and interesting sites to visit.

This is an impressive list that includes aspects related to safety, recreation, tourism, and economic benefits. Councilman Newman did good with this considering it cost us nothing. While this is a bit of a softball issue, I know that a lot of people are very supportive of this initiative. People should go to the meeting this coming Monday and show support and ask questions.

[BrianSullivan]

Forums like this can be very hit or miss. Even with tons of effort and all the right intentions, sometimes they do not do well. Luckily, last night was not the case. Instead of the feared 2 or 3 people sitting in the pews, there was about 30-40 people present for the presentation from the DOT. The audience was comprised of both borough residents and non residents who support this basic initiative. People did have a lot of feedback and interest in the material presented.

Beyond just safety concerns, there was also emphasis on tourism, recreation, and other quality of life ideas rolled into the plan. The DOT had several maps with detailed plans for the town. Considering this was free, I think we got a real good deal here. I believe it is now in the hands of the council. I doubt all of it can or will be implemented right away. Priorities will have to be set and costs considered. With patience and persistence, I think we will see a more bike friendly town.

We have seen the council deal with bike issues in the past, so the need is there. In the past it was more of an issue to issue type of approach, now there is a better game plan in place.

I did miss the council meeting and understand that more conversation took place.

[BrianSullivan]

The APP did a nice article with many views presented. I will post a couple, but click on the link for the whole story.

www.app.com/article/20101222/NEWS/101222001/Bicyclist-pedestrian-safety-atop-Freehold-plan

I'm very afraid I'm going to hurt someone with my car,'' borough resident Jeff Surgent said, referring to bicyclists who fail to wear reflective gear or flout traffic rules.................

..............Councilman John Newman, who advocated for the study, listed several potential benefits Monday of more bicycling and walking, including attracting consumers to the borough, freeing up parking and reducing pollution and energy consumption.


Residents generally favored the plan, many expressing a need to make bicycling and walking in the borough more safe. Several called for stepped-up police enforcement to crack down on a host of infractions, from bicyclists who do not have headlights on their bicycles to motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians and
bicyclists..................

..............Some business owners have said they do not want racks on Main and South streets, Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer said.


Shutzer's concern, she said, is that rather than being used by recreational bicyclists visiting the downtown businesses, the racks would be used by day laborers.


"My fear is that realistically they would not be used by those for whom they are intended,'' Shutzer said Tuesday.................

[BrianSullivan]

Very cool... local bike enthusiasts are picking up on this story. Here is a link to their perspective.

walkbikejersey.blogspot.com/2010/12/freehold-borough-bike-plan-presented-to.html