Making streets safer

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

Some local residents are urging the Maplewood to adopt a comprehensive “complete streets policy” to make its roads as safe and accommodating as possible for bicyclists, pedestrians and all other users.

Helping to move the township in that direction is South Orange-Maplewood Bicycle Coalition, a nonprofit group that promotes bike use in the sister towns.

The grassroots organization co-sponsored an informational meeting Jan. 26 featuring a speaker from the state Department of Transportation who explained how “complete streets” works.

The concept is to make roadways accessible for all users, said Sheree Davis, the DOT’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

For decision makers, the program affects the planning, design, construction and maintainenance of the roads, Davis told residents gathered at Memorial Library. The concept of “complete streets” is often at odds with historical roadway design, she added.

Davis cited instances of roads in the state that are too wide and dangerous to cross on foot. In her remarks, she showed photographs that included one of a man in a wheelchair pushing his way against traffic on Route 38.

Implementing the program can be as simple as striping a road to create bike lanes, Davis said. Other, more significant, changes could include eliminating a lane of traffic.

Afterward, organizers predicted the community would be receptive to the concept. They hope the Township Committee formally adopts it.

“I think Maplewood is an ideal venue for complete-streets policy,” said Kate Cahill, a member of the bicycle coalition. “We have great downtowns, we have a cohesive community.”

She said her organization has seen a “huge interest” in biking from people of all ages.

She pointed to an increase in the number of middle and high school students who bike to school. Charles Bibbins, chairman of the Maplewood Transportation Advisory Committee, discussed how the town is planning its bike network.

He said the town “is committed that when they repave a street, if it’s part of the bike program, they will do the things in it to be bike friendly.” He cited Ridgewood Road as one example.

“I want to see people on foot and I want to see people on bicycles. I want to see more people being active,” said Risa Olinsky, the founder of SOMA on Foot, a community-walking program that was the other sponsor of last week’s event.

The native of Long Island recalled Robert Moses, the controversial urban planner, who built parkways there by crashing through neighborhoods where people once walked and rode their bikes.

“We need to go back to the communities the way they used to be,” Olinsky said. “And I think this is the way to do it.”

Philip Sean Curran can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 116, or at newsrecord@thelocalsource.com.