Carolyn Barnshaw, Princeton
Princeton has a powerful lobby for bicyclists. Who is looking after pedestrians?
The time is right to establish a consistent 25 mph speed limit for all residential roads. In 2012 Princeton adopted Complete Streets policy with the goal of making Princeton a more pedestrian-friendly and bike-friendly community. A Complete Street is a roadway that is safe not only for motor vehicles, but also for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
Residential roads, especially roads near schools, parks, and a community hub, (Princeton Shopping Center), need to be zoned no higher than 25 mph so people can walk to nearby destinations.
A 25 mph speed zone posting informs motorists they are traveling through a residential district and they need to slow down and watch out for children, seniors, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Township traffic officials have a long history of assigning high speed zones on residential streets — Terhune Road 30 mph, 35 mph; Snowden Lane 35 mph; North Harrison Street 30 mph; Stuart Road 35 mph.
Posting high speed limits on residential roads directly contradicts Complete Streets policy.
Princeton Council cannot in good conscience adopt a Bicycle Plan into the Master Plan without also adopting a 25 mph speed limit policy for all residential roads. Most residential roads are already zoned 25 mph.
The difference between a posted 25 mph speed limit and a posted 30 mph means little to a motorist, but it can mean the difference between life and death to a cyclist or a pedestrian.
Carolyn Barnshaw
Princeton
