
photo by Boyd Loving
July 3,2017
by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood NJ, Bike Lane Update: The Ridgewood Police Department (RPD) has recommended converting a significant portion of the two (2) dedicated (green paint) bike lanes connecting the intersection of North Broad Street and Franklin Avenue with the intersection of Garber Square and West Ridgewood Avenue to “shared use” lanes (no green paint). This would permit motor vehicle traffic to use space now reserved only for bicyclists. The recommendation came in the form of a presentation delivered by RPD Patrol Supervisor John Chuck and Patrol Officer Raymond Tarino during a Village Council Work Session held on Wednesday, June 28.
Specifically, the police department suggests that the westbound “shared use” lane begin shortly after vehicles round the bend prior to the Pease Library’s northern most property line, and the eastbound “shared use” lane begin just after vehicles round the bend prior to going under the train trestle. Supervisor Chuck and Officer Tarino believe that traffic backups would be significantly decreased if this plan were implemented as two (2) to three (3) additional passenger vehicles could be added into the turning que.
No action/decision regarding the matter was reached by Council Members following the presentation.