April 25
...serving up your daily dish.
Bike Montclair wants you to get your bike out and on the street – and not just during their annual Tour de Montclair May 21. More and better bike lanes is their strategy for traffic calming and safer streets in Montclair. “More bikes on the road can make a difference in the way people drive – drivers become more aware of their speed," says Bike Montclair Prez, Jerry Fried.
In February 2005, the local advocacy group presented a detailed plan to the township council showing how Montclair could become more bike and pedestrian friendly. The first phase of a three phase plan included creating a wide shoulder on Grove and Elm Streets for safer biking (like our Glen Ridge neighbors have on Ridgewood Avenue) and making key intersections less dangerous. The town liked the plans, says Fried, but after more than a year, he is wondering when bikers are going to see some action on the street. Although bike lanes are not on the town engineer’s calendar yet, Town Manager Joe Hartnett told us today that he has included the project in this year's budget proposal, which will be voted on in May. "I'd like to see the work start this summer or fall," he said.
With traffic calming and pedestrian/biker safety a priority, this year’s Tour de Montclair theme is “Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25”. And they will promote it by sponsoring a poster contest for kids. Two grand prize winners will walk away with their own IPODs, and there are give-aways for all other entries. Judging will take place at Watchung Plaza on the day of the tour, May 21.
April 25, 2006 in Civic Virtue | Permalink
Bike lanes are a great way to improve traffic and the quality of life. I can wait to see them.
Posted by: lasermike026 | Apr 25, 2006 3:54:17 PM
The single lane idea for Ridgewood Ave Is not a bike lane or pedestrians to stroll two three across with baby srollers. It was for a safer road in general ...I love to bike there now ...Cars that drive the speed limit force eveyone to slow down now rarely are you past by cars going 45mph on the right or left..... when driving...
Posted by: rock | Apr 25, 2006 5:28:12 PM
I went to the traffic calming meeting RE: Harrison Ave and Orange Road a few months ago. I gave the town engineer photos and street construction plans from Europe, where e.g. in Holland or Germany, there is a lot of experience with traffic calming by adding bike lanes (cheap and effective by simply painting them on the pavement). Our town paid a professional firm to develop traffic calming plans. These "professionals" had never heard of bike lanes. It wasn't mentioned at all in their proposals. Sad...
Posted by: Sylvia | Apr 25, 2006 7:50:03 PM
I'm moving onto Elm Street next week, and I plan on riding my bike to school (MSU) next semester, so the wider shoulder idea is fantastic!
Posted by: jennn | Apr 25, 2006 9:17:36 PM
I'm going to drive my car down Elm and hit you while you ride your bike.
Posted by: jennnnnnisaloser | Apr 25, 2006 9:45:08 PM
It's a good thing my bike hovers 10 feet over the ground and shoots lasers.
Posted by: shutupkatie | Apr 25, 2006 9:50:04 PM
katie,
please post a picture of you riding a bike in your bikini...laser is dying for a picture...r u pissant's daughter?
Posted by: Iceman | Apr 25, 2006 10:14:13 PM
It would be nice if Montclair could put one bike lane up somewhere! This topic seems to have been bouncing around for years. My daughter & I do the Ridgewood Ave shuffle between Carteret Park & Brookdale, which is a great ride. I'm still wary of leading her up thru montclair, even to make a quick stop at the Bikery, because of the traffic patterns.
Posted by: PAZ in Chi (AMiL) | Apr 25, 2006 10:28:12 PM
Hey, if they can create a bike lane in NYC, they can certainly create on in Montclair.
Posted by: Miss Martta | Apr 25, 2006 10:29:30 PM
she looks nothing like me Ice.
if they build it, we will ride!
Posted by: pissant | Apr 26, 2006 12:03:44 AM
She's MY daughter and she doesn't wear bikinis...only scuba gear.
Posted by: katiesmom | Apr 26, 2006 12:10:55 AM
haven't we seen her in a bikini or something similarly small on her website?
does she look like you?
Posted by: pissant | Apr 26, 2006 12:26:39 AM
"Only scuba gear," haha....
I've seen katie on her bite & she's obviously dangerous. I gave her a wide berth.
Posted by: crank | Apr 26, 2006 8:46:59 AM
If Katie is gonna ride in a bikini, then I am in favor of bike lanes.
Posted by: Byron | Apr 26, 2006 10:13:54 AM
jennn is the new katie, Iceman, so ask her to wear the bikini. Also, has everyone emailed the CEO guy for Red Cheetah? I did and apparently we get free drinks. Maybe we've already discussed that I haven't checked the coversations in a few days.
Posted by: katie | Apr 26, 2006 12:01:33 PM
