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Public takes a gander at borough's proposed bike, pedestrian plan

By Teresa Edmond
Staff Writer
Suburban Trends
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The public was invited to check out a drafted bicycle and pedestrian plan on March 31 as the borough took a step closer to becoming more biker, hiker and walker friendly.

Four stations were set up in the Borough Hall meeting room with a detailed outline of the proposed bicycle and pedestrian plan available from RBA group, a Morristown-based planning consulting company, concentrating on what could be four major aspects of the bike/pedestrian plan. These aspects are providing safe crossing on the hilly Skyline Drive and Greenwood Lake Turnpike, recommended bicycle and pedestrian paths around the borough, and one-way paths around lakes in three communities.

The recommendations the RBA Group presented as a result of public input and borough officials input are not engraved in stone, even when it comes to the proposed traffic light on Skyline Drive. Although the RBA Group mulled over different light setups, the group's representatives said that the concept of a light between the Fieldstone Shopping Center and the Ringwood Plaza "is our first choice."

"Nothing's mandatory. These are just the concepts for people to consider and say 'Here's some food for thought.' What do you like? Some are long term, like the path along Skyline Drive. It's not going to be a tomorrow type of project," said Mike Dannemiller of the RBA Group.

According to RBA representatives, the project has three phases, which each phase gradually working toward increased pedestrian and bicycle safety within town and serving as a connection to other towns.

The reason for the public input is to better refine the plan so that there's something concrete to show potential financiers, who would invest in the project, according to Jon Berry, Environmental Commission member.

Once RBA gets the plan finalized, the consultant will submit it to the state Department of Transportation (DOT), which will have to sign off on it. RBA then will bring the plan back to the borough to look at it.

The August 2008 bicycle and pedestrian meeting, held at Martin J. Ryerson School, saw locals and the RBA Group shape a vision for making the borough more biker and pedestrian friendly.

According to the borough's drafted Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, there are eight discussion categories to consider. They are connections between the lakes, crossings, (especially on regional roadways like Skyline Drive and Greenwood Lake Turnpike), new facilities like shared use paths and sidewalks, one-way lake circulation, regional roadways, amenities like outdoor lights and benches, safety awareness and enforcement, and policy and impelmentation. Through the state DOT, which hired the RBA Group for the project, the borough is seeking more walking and biking windows to promote eco-tourism and safety. The RBA Group is designing the plan, but the firm isn't contracted to execute it.

Residents are warm to the proposed bicycle and pedestrian plan, but think work still needs to be done.

Connie Hernandez, an Erskine Lakes community resident, said that the proposed one-way roads around the lakes would take people longer to get back to their homes, waste gas and "be a nightmare for emergency personnel."

Resident Robert Garner said the bicycle and pedestrian plan would help promote more biking not only within the borough, but also attrack out-of-town bikers because they could check out the beautiful scenery.

Skyline Drive Traffic Light
In a borough that's unusual for not having any traffic lights or sidewalks, residents say it's important to strive to be more biker and walker friendly and to have the necessary improvements, like the proposed Skyline Drive traffic light.

Hernandez said she "loves the idea' of a Skyline Drive traffic light, especially since there has been controversy over proposed roundabouts on Skyline Drive versus the establishment of a traffic light to step up road safety.

Garner acknowledged that without a traffic light on Skyline Drive, there is an increased chance for pedestrians to get hit by cars.

Berry said that the Skyline Drive traffic light "stands out" in the plan because it would allow people to get between the shopping centers and get to the Ringwood Public Library, which is just behind the Ringwood Plaza.

Picking up a plan during a fiscal slump
Residents believe there are ways to accomplish the bicycle and pedestrian plan at minimal cost during the recession.

When asked if this plan has enough priority to be implemented right away in this economic climate, Hernandez said that "this (plan) is not top priority" but the borough could ease the bicycle and pedestrian plan into the municipality, with a focus on safety.

"They could do some phasing in -- working on people being more safe. It's not just about (stopping) speeding around the lake. It's a lot more than that," she said.

Berry believes certain aspects of the plan could be carried out cheaply like creating safe bike routes, which use minimal expenses like signs and lane markings.

"I think for a lot of people, qualify of life is always a priority," Berry said. "There are lots of things that could be done very inexpensively."

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