Upcoming Projects & Long-term Goals
Project: Bike Lane Feasibility Study. July, August 09.
Details- I will conduct a bike lane feasibility study for Collings and Haddon Avenues as an independent study. My advisor is Dr. James Dunn, a transportation policy expert.
Project: Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan. September-November 09.
Details- This is where the input of the community becomes crucial. This second independent study will center around specific suggestions for areas most urgently in need of improvement. For example, a dangerous crosswalk. Nonexistent or inadequate bike racks. An online and (in limited amounts) paper survey will become available for residents AND all users of Collingswood roads.
Project: Safe Routes to School Campaign. Projected for Spring 2010-Infinity.
Details- Many parents have expressed interest in changing the Board of Education’s policy on bicycling to school. This should be a town-wide effort to be really effective. Parents, start organizing yourselves and pressuring your PTA’s. There will be more information about this in future blogs. Feel free to start discussion threads.
Project: Connection of bike lanes to East Coast Greenways. Ongoing.
Details- Greenways are continuous cycling routes from one green space to another. For example, a signed bike route from the Delaware River to the Cooper River to Knight Park, to Newton Lake Park and so on.
Project: Education and Encouragement. Ongoing.
Sky’s the limit! Classes on bike safety, rules of the road, bike rider’s fashion shows, classes for motorists on driving safely near cyclists and pedestrians, what makes a town pedestrian friendly, ride your bike to school, walking school bus, etc etc. Suggestions and instructors needed!
Project: Collingswood Bike-Share. Ongoing.
This is Collingswood’s pioneering bike program, saving bikes from the landfill and offering them at a nominal rental fee to Collingswood residents, as well as tune ups! See the Bike-Share “Page” on this site for the details of the program.
And as many other initiatives as there are people eager to create the town they want to live in!
Long -Term Goals:
For the Borough of Collingswood to implement a Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan that has its basis in the residents of Collingswood. For that Master Plan to be comprehensive and subject to review and amendment at regular intervals so that it may change with the changing times and continue to be improved.
For bicyclists and pedestrians to be welcome as equal users of the roads, to increase safety, promote healthy lifestyles, reduce fossil fuel pollution, alleviate the town’s parking problems, encourage shopping at local businesses, and make Collingswood a model of innovation for surrounding towns to emulate.
This is great. I grew up in the SJ area (now living in NYC) but I’m so excited to see someone taking action in inner ring communities like collingswood!
Comment by anon on May 22, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Thanks for the outreach - the feasibility study sounds great, as does the bike-share & the greenways initiative. An idea - how about the roads bordering Cooper River as a one way loop with bike lanes? That’ll get folks off the sidewalk. Also, a Haddon Ave. bike corridor parallel to the speedline? Maybe in the form of a bike lane on Haddon Ave?Finally, a map of bike routes in & out of Collingswood with mileage, especially connecting to surrounding region.
I’d be happy to work on all or some of this if there are like-minded folks.
For the record, I’m for bike racks every block along Haddon (see above).
Thanks again -
Ed
Comment by Ed on June 19, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Thanks for your comments, Ed! If you are a Collingswood resident or frequent visitor please join the group so I don’t have to moderate your comments!
I have been racking my brains about the roads surrounding Cooper River, way too skinny to put bike lanes in as is, but your one-way idea is an intriguing potential solution.
I agree that Haddon needs to have bike lanes, it is too big of a shopping/community destination and too important a transit connection to leave bikes out in the cold.
This feasibility study which I will be starting in mid-July will be a way of looking at how we can make bike lanes happen on Haddon and Collings Aves while not radically altering the current street layout. From my preliminary glance at the situation I think it is going to be possible. The study will be a formal way to say 1) why bike lanes are needed/desirable. and
2) how we can make them happen. (engineering, working with relevant authorities, finding grants etc)
Thanks for your ideas and enthusiasm, I will be seeking a few good volunteers in upcoming months so I appreciate your offer of help!
Stella
Comment by Stella Bonaparte on June 19, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Thanks, Stella - I did join the group.
About Cooper River as a one way loop. I think it would appeal to Collingswood & Pennsauken for three reasons 1) safety 2) traffic easement, esp. during regattas & 3) magnet for tourism/recreation.
I moved down from Boston & the city of Cambridge closed Memorial Drive (the major thoroughfare alongside the Charles River) to cars on Sundays from Morning to late afternoon during the milder months. Philly does the same with W. River Drive. Maybe that is another possibility.
Thanks again - I look foward to working with you in the future.
Ed
Comment by Ed on June 21, 2009 at 10:25 am
I agree with Ed about Cooper River. people should not be riding bikes on the same path as pedestrians. It is a dangerous combination. Bikes where meant to ride in the street with traffic. As far as Cooper river goes, I would elect that something be done about the change that was made to the walk path that goes over Cooper River on Cuthbert. It was made way too wide and now there is little room for cyclist to cross safely. Not sure if anything can be done at this point but I thought I would put it out there. I’ve been a cyclist for 23 years and have ridden in a wide variety of traffic and roads. I also have routes through Collingswood and neighboring towns. if anyone would like to use them. I lead a ride from the Camden Co. Cultural Commission Bldg on Thursday nights @ 6:30 pm if you want to join me. I can help with bike safety. I see quite a few people riding around in our town not wearing helmets and not obeying traffic laws. This is a prelude to disaster. I have some mechanical skills with bikes, such as flats, which some added tricks to pass along. I like to ride Cooper River and I know a lot of others like it also. It is really a good place to meet up with some fellow riders for some little friendly competition. So, as I think of other things to tell I will post. Let me know if someone needs help with different aspects of bike saftey. Thank you. From SuperDave
Comment by SuperDave on June 30, 2009 at 12:15 am
stella,
my friends and i live in collingswood and ride haddon and many of our other streets everyday. if you ever need a hand with research, info, groundwork, etc. please let me know. we’d be happy to help. i would love to see bike lanes in cwood.
-chris
Comment by christopher on July 6, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I would love to get involved. I am Collingswood resident, a Rutgers Grad student and bicycle commuter to Philly ( I cheat and use PATCO frequently though).
Comment by clinton on July 14, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Hi! I’m a Collingswood resident (and Rutgers student - started school again last year to get certified to teach) and am very interested in your project - specifically the pedestrian portion. I moved to Collingswood specifically because it was a walkable town (I don’t drive and have no interest in learning for many political, environmental, and financial reasons!) and would love to take part in enhancing the pedestrian aspect of our town
Comment by jackiemanni on July 27, 2009 at 1:47 pm