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.
I agree.
I ride 2K miles a year. We don’t need separate lanes.
We just need drivers to give us some room when they are passing us.
That layout by Garber is well intended but it’s stupid…
It is very VERY confusing for drivers. When heading west, are you allowed to be in the bike land when attempting to turn right and continue on Ridgewood Avenue? I rarely traverse this route. The other day I found myself so distracted by trying to stay out of the bike lane that I fear I was not paying close enough attention to my driving. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Poorly planned and very costly.
First of all, I have never seen a single cyclist use it. I’m sure it does get used, but I’ve never seen one.
I was only saying to my wife the other day that the portion of the bike lane that runs under the railway bridge is a disaster waiting to happen. The bike lane and the car right-turn lane (coming from east-side of town and into N. Broad St) intersect. I can see a deadly accident occurring here and due to the flawed design, the Village will most certainly be on the hook when the lawyers look for fault.
It looks like that rule is still current, and was readopted in June 2014. It is in the Administrative Code at NJAC 5:21.
However, another issue to consider is whether the rule would be applicable to the development of the area near the train station. The rule applies to “residential site improvements.” It is unclear whether the area near the train station is a “residential site.”
I agree that it is really dangerous. I would be terrified to use that bike lane. If there isn’t a law against Ridgewood’s bike lane, there should be.
I have said in the past this is a bike lane from nowhere to nowhere and who ever conceived it must have been on drugs at the time.
“But we got a grant………….”
Letter to the Editor published in The Record, Sunday, June 7, 2014
Underpass woes
in Ridgewood
Ridgewood’s underpass brouhaha won’t be over until it’s over.
Meanwhile, the question is how to go under.
We’re assured that a full complement of staff professionals worked on this plan for years and the council approved it unanimously. Responding to public outcry, however, the council quickly agreed to demolish 800 to 900 feet of just-poured curbing to halve the center divider’s width from eight feet to four feet. Previously it was 3.5 feet. That enables two driving lanes to be restored later, if desired.
Good, but what a waste. And aren’t the bicycle lanes the basis of a $146,500 grant under the state’s “Complete Streets” program? Would removing them forfeit the grant?
Since a narrow median can’t support trees, wood chips or gardeners, it will be “hardscaped,” not landscaped. That’s okay, said new Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, because the median plantings on Grove Street have gone to weeds anyway. Moreover, the $5,000 “saved” on trees and $20,000 “saved” on an irrigation system can go toward the $45,000 needed to replace the new curbing.
Communications were inadequate, admitted Sonenfeld. Residents who instantly saw the plan as untenable would have weighed in long ago had they been informed.
During World War II, my father worked with Army traffic in Europe. Pins were stuck into road maps with different pin colors representing the number and extent of accidents at intersections. Where “too many” deaths were tallied, someone was sent to direct traffic.
Is that what will happen at the underpass?
Marcia Ringel
Ridgewood, June 5
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/the-record-letters-sunday-june-8-1.1031360?page=all#sthash.tHmAVDFU.dpuf
Correction–it was Sunday, June 8.
I’m taking my bike down there daily…..
It’s just a matter of time b4 someone hits me and then I’m going to
Sue the crap out of the town……I suppose then, I will get their attention.