‘Huge Gap’ in Cape Cycling Links Exists in Upper

PETERSBURG – Over 30 biking enthusiasts as well as Upper Township residents interested in learning more gathered at the Upper Township municipal building Oct. 1 for an open house to review study findings, maps and graphics regarding bicycle conditions in the municipality. 
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs initiated the event to solicit input from township residents and visitors as part of its ongoing study which had enlisted previous input from the municipality’s advisory group Green Team, emergency medical service officials, and municipal and biking group representatives. 
According to information provided by township Engineer Paul Dietrich, through a grant from NJDOT’s Local Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Assistance Program, Upper Township is finalizing a bicycle plan that seeks to improve mobility and safety for non-motorized traffic. 
This plan includes a detailed review and inventory of bicycle traffic generators, crashes, and overall conditions at major intersections and along key corridors. 
Following that review, a series of conceptual recommendations were developed to address many existing deficient conditions. 
Ultimately, the recommendations are intended to create a robust bicycle network that:
* Better connects the township
* Enhances connections between county towns and key destinations
* Leverages the township’s natural assets
* Provides connections to the regional bicycle network in adjacent municipalities
* Enhances Upper Township as a tourist destination.
NJDOT staff and the consultant team, engineering firm WSP USA, headquartered in Lawrenceville, were present to engage with participants, answer questions and seek input.
“We were able to provide grant funding for this study in the amount of $99,000 to see how we can get Upper Township better connected with the burgeoning trails that the county is constructing,” said an NJDOT official Bill Revere. ”Upper Township has a known and huge gap in the connectivity and cohesion of cycling trails that go from Ocean City and Somers Point south to the rest of Cape May County including Beesley’s Point and beyond,” he continued.
Using posters with maps and planning suggestions and options, WSP representatives were able to point to many incremental possibilities to improve existing roads by making minor or medium changes so that more people in the county are encouraged to get out and bike.
“We want to show how the county can better accommodate cyclists and we’ve adopted as a starting point, education, encouragement, and enforcement of regulations such as speed and better pedestrian crossings which will help cyclists as well. West of Stagecoach Road are many sensitive areas that will require permitting which takes time.
“But there are other ways that we can work around the fact that there aren’t a ton of existing possibilities. For example, we’ve identified utility easements that might be used as well as certain rail beds.
“The county is doing amazing things creating and maintaining cycling routes, and we want to build on that. The huge investments in the Great Egg Harbor Bridge and for the Ocean City Ninth Street Bridge are pushing us to take the next steps to enhance connectivity.
“By having this study in hand, it will make it much easier for Upper to apply for grants at all government levels including from the state,” said Stephen Chiaramonte, WSP supervising transportation planner.
Mary Ferenz, a township resident, attended the open house to learn more about what will be done to make biking safer and more enjoyable in the county.
“I have bad knees, and my doctor recommended that I start biking and I love it. My husband bought me a great new bike and the trails that have been established; especially around the (County Park) zoo are really wonderful experiences.
“Along Route 83, however, where there are so many power lines I’m hoping that something is done to improve the biking there. It’s just not safe to bike along many county roads especially in Upper where there aren’t any alternatives.
“The traffic comes very, very close to cyclists at high speeds and it’s really dangerous. So I’m very encouraged that with this information tonight the county and Upper, where I live, will get moving to help with bicycling safety and connecting more trails so that we can bike with greater enjoyment along more trails and not risk our lives,” she concluded.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.