file photo Boyd Loving
Reader says new bike lane by the Ridgewood train station appears very ill-conceived, dangerous and might not be legal in New Jersey
The new bike lane by the Ridgewood train station strikes me as very ill-conceived, and frankly, dangerous. It is the first bike lane I have ever seen that crosses over from the right shoulder into a space between two car lanes. The fact that it is on a sharp decline, just after a hard right turn, and just before a busy intersection, makes it even worse.
I did some quick research and it looks as though such a bike lane might not be legal in New Jersey. A rule adopted by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in 1997 states: “Bicycle lanes, where provided, shall be placed in the outside lane of a roadway, adjacent to the curb or shoulder.” See 29 N.J.R. 159(a). There is language in the rule adoption about an expiration date in 2002. I am not sure if the rule is still in effect or not, and admittedly, New Jersey Administrative law is not my area of expertise, but perhaps someone else can comment on this.
If the rule has expired, it should be readopted at the state level. Or another option would be for Ridgewood to write this requirement into its own municipal code. The Borough of Medford Lakes, New Jersey has done just that (see the Medford Lakes Municipal Code, §145-124(b)).
At any rate, Ridgewood should rethink the new bicycle lane for the safety of its bicyclists, as well as the peace of mind of its drivers.
