Former advisory board chairman voices frustration with what he says is a lack of progress
By: Olivia Tattory
The Sidewalk and Bikeway Advisory Committee and Princeton Township in general have made little progress in recent years to make Princeton more "bicycle friendly," a number of officials agree.
Currently, Princeton Township has only one designated bike path. With rising fuel prices, increasing traffic congestion and concerns about global warming, it’s surprising to not see people jumping up and down and working toward alternative means of transportation, said Ron Lessard former chairman of the Princeton Township Sidewalk and Bikeway Advisory Committee.
"This is about policy and no one is really taking the steps necessary to promote biking as an alternate form of transportation," said Mr. Lessard. "We’ve made many recommendations over the years and it seems that they have just been placed on the shelf."
Mr. Lessard, who resigned as chairman of the committee earlier this month, said the township’s priorities are in the wrong direction. Most people are quick to point out the very small problems with moving forward with the effort, more specifically the effort to create bicycle lanes, and completely disregard anything worthwhile, explained Mr. Lessard.
Two primary roadblocks, Mr. Lessard says, are holding many back from taking action in making alternate forms of transportation more readily available to Princeton residents: Removal of parking spaces and the widening of traffic lanes.
"It’s just so discouraging and frustrating," Mr. Lessard said.
Princeton Township Committeeman Chad Goerner said more progress may follow efforts to create a joint transportation committee with Princeton Borough.
"We’re looking to have a more efficient transportation structure as far as both communities go," Mr. Goerner said.
The Sidewalk and Bikeway Advisory Committee’s most recent presentation was in October when the committee discussed its findings with the Regional Planning Board of Princeton’s Circulation Subcommittee of a survey conducted in 2005.
The survey, given to the parents of middle- and elementary-school students in the Princeton Regional School District, was aimed at involving the community in decisions about transportation and getting input for what is needed to improve conditions for walking and bicycling, in particular for school children.
"The survey was an effort to begin to think about land use planning, the infrastructure and all the things that effect how we get place to place," said Michael Suber, former chairman of the Sidewalk and Bikeway Advisory Committee.
Mr. Suber, who served as chairman for 15 years, attributes the many pedestrian and more specifically bicycling problems in the area to the overall view of the activities throughout the United States. The nation has not developed the policies and culture needed to promote safe bicycling and walking, he explained.
Both Mr. Suber and Mr. Lessard cited the same obstacle in getting these alternative means of transportation examined policies. As they’ve both experienced in years as Sidewalk and Bikeway Advisory Committee members, making change begins with policy and no one in a position of authority willing to take the necessary steps, they said.
Gail Ullman, co-vice chairwoman of the Planning Board, recalls the Sidewalk and Bikeway Advisory Committee’s presentation in October, but doesn’t believe any further action had been taken. The issue of bike paths and connecting already existing paths is something she thinks will be discussed in future meetings.
"We thought it was wonderful research and excellent suggestions," said Ms. Ullman of the Sidewalk and Bikeway Advisory Committee’s 2005 transportation survey. "I certainly believed it was something that should be reviewed."
Although Mr. Lessard said there are many good people working toward making this effort become a reality, the action that is required is not being taken.
"It seems like it’s a big step and that is difficult for some people to swallow."

