By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Surging membership, continued assistance in fostering inter-governmental relationships, and a look toward the future were part of discussion plans for the West Windsor Bicycle Pedestrian Alliance’s annual meeting, held Thursday at the Senior Center.
Earlier in the week, WWBPA President Ken Carlson pointed to a leap in dues-paying membership as evidence of the organization’s success in the township, with its numbers growing from around 100 at this time last year to its current 240 members.
”We have grown dramatically,” said Mr. Carlson. “We have actually attracted a lot of community support as we have done more for the community, and seen the results of our advocacy.”
Results of the organization efforts this year included several new crosswalks at some township intersections that are traveled by pedestrians like that of Norchester Drive and Clarksville Road, and Clarksville Road and Cranbury Road.
The WWBPA also held its West Windsor Walks to raise awareness on roadways the organization has deemed in need of more cyclist and pedestrian-friendly features and traffic-calming measures, such as the meeting point of Route 571, Cranbury and Wallace roads.
That particular intersection has been slated by both state and county entities to get some much-needed attention, something Mr. Carlson is very proud of.
”We are always working toward getting different governmental entities to work together and brainstorm solutions,” he said.
The group also put together a community map showing residents and others where they can find bicycle and pedestrian features throughout the West Windsor area, according to board of trustees member Sandy Shapiro.
”They can also see the gaps where we need to see the township put in more pedestrian-friendly features,” Ms. Shapiro said.
The nine-member board of trustees will see turnover, which Mr. Carlson said prior to the meeting should be addressed at the session.
One member is retiring and the WWBPA will be looking at candidates to fill that position on the board of trustees.
The WWBPA’s student advisory board will also be looking for two new members with two of the current three set to graduate in June.
West Windsor Police Chief Joseph Pica will be joining the regular WWBPA advisory board, which is filled with community stakeholders and people with expertise dealing with traffic and pedestrian issues, Mr. Carlson said.
The upcoming year’s activities should include a focus on both education of the public on pedestrian and cyclist issues along with an emphasis on the enforcement of traffic laws, with the assistance of Chief Pica.
A specific focus should be the Alexander Road and Bear Brook Road intersection, where commuters walking to the Princeton Junction station sometimes face an unsafe environment for walking or biking, Ms. Shaprio said.
This year the WWBPA expects to see attention paid to areas they have focused on in the past, like the Alexander Road S-curve and Grovers Mill area, Mr. Carlson said.