
Let's all make West Windsor safer for pedestrians and bicyclists
This year I will:
1)??? Drive the speed limit, yield to pedestrians and give bicyclists three feet when passing;
2)??? Walk or bike more often when running those short errands of a mile or two;
3)??? Get out and have fun on longer walks or bicycle rides;
4)??? Become a member or renew membership in the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance and a regular reader of wwbpa.org;
5)??? Let my elected officials know what I think are problem areas for bicyclists and pedestrians in my community (and copy to the WWBPA);
6)??? Participate in WWBPA activities and attend the WWBPA annual meeting on Feb. 25, where an action plan for 2010 will be discussed.
Together we can make change happen.
WWBPA trustees have their own extra resolutions to:
1)??? Ensure that improvements along Princeton-Hightstown Road/Route 571 make our Main Street better for both bicyclists and pedestrians. While some of these improvements will take years, others can happen more quickly. One change we?d like to see in 2010: bike lanes along Washington Road;
2)??? Begin talking with area officials about improving bicycle and pedestrian connections between West Windsor and Plainsboro, including the need for safe routes to school;
3)??? Keep pushing for promised (and budgeted) improvements, including a crossing beacon on South Mill Road for the Trolley Line Trail and paved shoulders in Mercer County Park;
4)??? Work on other upgrades to our network of trails, including better signage.
(With thanks to Bike&Walk Montclair for inspiring us to come up with our resolutions)
I don’t drive 55 in the built up section of 571 obviously, just meant the four lane 50 mph zone when conditions are good.
If you set the speed limit appropriately as per traffic engineering guidelines, I will drive the speed limit. I drive for the conditions, not for the number on the sign. I moved to Lawrenceville and the main road has a 40 mph speed limit, which is reasonable and most of the time I obey it because driving ’10 over’ would be unreasonable. I drive 45-50 mph on 571 in accordance with the limit when it is wet or congested. I drive 55-60 mph on 571 when there are few cars on the road and conditions are good, because the 45/50 limit is too low for optimal conditions.