Bike Lanes vs Beautification - A False Choice In Haddonfield

A grassroots effort to install bike lanes on a critical connection between downtown Haddonfield and a major trail on the Circuit has been rejected by Haddonfield Borough officials and the Camden County Department of Public Works in favor of parking lanes and a center median.

Grove St - A good proposal for bike lanes

The street in question is Grove from Pardee Lane to Edge Park Drive. This section connects the Cooper River Trail into Haddonfield Borough. This section of Grove does not currently have bike facilities, but its generous width and the typically-empty 10-foot shoulders make it a popular bicycling route. Grove street has been designated as a bike route connecting the Hopkins Pond trail to the Cooper River.

"Where should the poor girl park for all tomorrow's parties?" Apparently on Grove Street.

Grove Street's wide profile tends to induce speeding to and from Route 70, so Haddonfield has proposed a makeover to calm traffic and reduce turning conflicts. Bike lanes were recommended by the Environmental Commission, other organization members and local cyclists, and the proposal was submitted to the Borough and County Engineer for review.

However, last month the County Engineering Department wrote a letter to Haddonfield Mayor Kasko stating that bike lanes were not compatible with parking and a center median, and Camden County's policy "preferred traffic calming and beautification over bike lanes." This letter seems to have formed the basis for Haddonfield Borough to drop the idea of bike lanes and instead plan for a center median with mountable curb sections so residents can turn left out of their driveways.

Grove Street - Haddonfield Borough's Preferred Alternative

This question of traffic calming over bike lanes is a false choice. Bike lanes are a known instrument in traffic calming. Furthermore, a similar arterial in nearby Cherry Hill, Kings Highway (NJ State Route 41), has an identical width and successfully-installed bike lanes. The proposal also forgoes sidewalk improvements and does not include new crosswalks or intersection "bump-outs" as the Environmental Commission requested in their proposal.

Haddonfield does not have a Complete Streets Policy to appeal to, but Camden County just passed one in December. The Borough is debating the possibility of a Complete Streets policy, but a policy development committee has not yet been formed. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has completed a Camden County Bicycle Trails Master Plan, but its adoption might not happen until this summer. State-wide, New Jersey communities are adopting the concept of Complete Streets, which implements best practices for making our streets safe and pleasant for all users.

If the proposed design is implemented, bicyclists will be left with a narrower shoulder periodically interrupted by parked cars. And as we have reported before, the NJ State Supreme Court has ruled that bicyclists do not have legal protections in the shoulder. So this street design is effectively not accommodating bicycles. Meanwhile, pedestrians are saved from trudging through mud in a couple places, but are not protected by best-practice infrastructure.

This project represents a lost opportunity for Haddonfield Borough to unify one of its suburban neighborhoods with the historic walkable core by creating a truly complete street. Haddonfield shouldn't have to settle for mediocrity.

UPDATE - Haddonfield Commissioner John Muscatelli has requested Camden County Public Works to revisit the design of Grove St. However earlier today Camden County Senior Planner Andrew Levecchia informed Haddonfield advocates that the project was conceived as beautification and traffic calming and it will be limited to that.

Have Your Say on the Future of Camden County

Camden County is updating their Master Plan to guide development in the county through the year 2040. As part of the public participation process to develop the plan, the county has opened up an online survey for residents.

We  think this logo would lend itself to a nice series of wooden coasters 

The survey asks several questions that seeks opinions about bicycling, walking, placemaking and public transportation in the county. Not only will the survey help Camden County set a course for improvements in the future, but high scores supporting bicycling and walking can help steer public policy decisions today.

If you think that looking 25 years into the future is a long time, consider that current master plan dates back to 1972. Back then, the Bicycle Coalition was just a meeting in a bar at 30th Street Station. Back then, a "complete street" meant the road paving was done. Back then, climate change meant moving to Florida. Most importantly it was the year that public transportation hit its all-time low for ridership and just before the 1973 Oil Crisis.

Question 8, about "big idea" plans, intrigues us the most. If you're not familiar with previous plans and looking for a recommendation, we think that the following would be most beneficial to the county from a transportation perspective:

• Promote mixed-use development within walking distance of train stations 
• Create a County-wide bicycle & pedestrian trail system 
• Improve major County roadways (Route 70, 38, etc.) to make these roads more pedestrian/bike/or transit-friendly

So if you live in Camden County, spend a couple minutes on the survey and participate in the future development of your county!

Public Input Sought On Camden County Bike and Trails Plan

Residents of Camden County will have a chance to have input on the future of multi-use trails in the county on October 25th.

The Camden County Bicycling and Multi-Use Trails Master Plan will guide the implementation of multi-use trails and on-road bicycle facilities in Camden County. The proposed routes will connect county residents to greenways and trails, as well as enhance opportunities to walk or bike to schools, parks, shops, and employment centers. The final plan should also better define the county's portion of the The Circuit regional trails plan.

The public can bring forward suggestions for the countywide plan during a public listening session on October 25th at 6PM in the Camden County Boathouse, 7050 N. Park Drive, Pennsauken, NJ. If you plan to attend please RSVP to Jane Meconi - jmeconi@dvrpc.org. Bring your ideas on how to make Camden County a more bicycle-friendly community.