Building a Bicycle and
Pedestrian Friendly Community
Monday, April 1 by silvia
We asked local government officials for more money for those pedestrian-activated yellow flashing lights at crosswalks — and we’re thrilled to report that we got it!
More » Comments Off on A big win for safer crosswalksSunday, December 3 by silvia
The WWBPA congratulates the residents along and near Cranbury Road for their advocacy and persistence to get a sidewalk built along one side of the road (that’s the black porous asphalt you see in the photo above). We think it makes the area feel much more like a community, and we are thrilled to see so many people using it.
But it wasn’t a slam dunk. We’ve compiled some lessons from that success that can be applied to other neighborhood advocacy efforts.
Comments Off on Lessons from the Cranbury Road sidewalk campaignFriday, September 18 by JerryFoster
In our 5th annual survey, WWBPA volunteers counted 360 bicyclists and pedestrians at 5 locations around the train station on Wednesday September 16, 2015 between 5-8pm. Last year the count was 343, but the numbers are not directly comparable, since we counted at only 3 locations last year. Comparing the same locations at the same time slots, biking and walking decreased 5% over last year. At least we had beautiful fall weather again this year.
Once again we participated in the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project, an effort to accurately and consistently measure usage and demand for bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
Our 2015 findings:
- Cranbury/Wallace/571 (Rite Aid) ? 25 bike, 112 walk
- Scott/Alexander (Arts Center) ? 26 bike, 90 walk
- Vaughn/Alexander (bus stop) ?? 19 bike, 39 walk
- Station/571 (Rep. Holt Headquarters) ? 5 bike, 6 walk
- Wallace/Alexander (WW lot) ? 11 bike, 27 walk
Total: 360 people, 86 who bike, 274 who walk
Thanks to our volunteers!
Traffic along 571 in downtown West Windsor flowed freely throughout the observation time, except for 3 minutes at 5:30pm – this is consistent with last year, which congested for 4 minutes at 6:00pm. Honks were also consistent at 11 this and last year, while the number of semi trucks rose by 2 to 7 this year. One of the honks was to encourage a right turn on red from Wallace to 571, which both the honker and honkee proceeded to do, illegally – an additional sign at the corner would aid in getting the message out. I was honked at from behind a few weeks ago while waiting on my bike at Wallace, but just pointed up at the No Turn On Red sign overhead.
Other observations:
Comments Off on 2015 Downtown WW Cyclist/Walker Counts
Wednesday, November 13 by JerryFoster
It?s hard to learn to love our traffic engineers ? they don?t see the same world we do, and don?t want to talk about it. Why not? Have you been to a public meeting?
The public has issues – many residents have not learned to disengage knee-jerk thinking, do their homework or propose constructive suggestions. Some are hostile to any government action, including road projects.
We choose to live in West Windsor because of the promise of safety, good schools, open space and convenient train commuting. We love our cars, but don?t want traffic in our neighborhoods.
Charles Marohn, an engineer and planner, identifies the different values of residents and engineers. In order, residents prioritize safety, low cost, traffic volume and speed, while engineers prioritize speed, volume, safety and cost.
Value divergence shows in the effort to improve walking and biking along Cranbury Road. Despite WWBPA recommendations, residents? public comments and numerous yard signs asking motorists to Drive 25, traffic calming was rejected as a project goal.
We?re determined to learn to love our engineers, so in our next installment we?ll focus on the most divergent values ? speed and volume.
Comments Off on Learning to Love Your Traffic Engineer – What the Public Wants
Monthly meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month, at 6:15 pm at the WW library and via Zoom. Email us at [email protected] for details, including the Zoom code.
Find us at the West Windsor Farmers Market (Vaughn Drive parking lot) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every other Saturday from May through Halloween.
Aug. 22 — At the farmers market
Aug. 23 — Special walk in Rogers Preserve
Aug. 25 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Sept. 1 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Sept. 5 — at the farmers market
Sept. 8 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Sept. 10 — Monthly meeting
Sept. 15 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Sept. 19 — Community Day at Duck Pond Park
Sept. 22 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Sept. 29 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Oct 3 — at the farmers market
Oct. 6 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Oct. 13 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Oct. 17 — Bike drive at the farmers market to benefit Bike Exchange
Oct. 20 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Oct. 25 — Annual Martian bike ride with the Historical Society of West Windsor (details to come)
Oct. 27 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
Oct. 31 — our final day at the farmers market in 2026
Ongoing – Register your bike with the WW Police Department for free
Volunteer Opportunities – Sign up to give back to the community
Now Accepting Applications for WWBPA Student Advisory Board
Recent Infrastructure
Proposals and Actions
How to make Old Trenton Road better for all users
Our recommendations for the D&R Canal State Park master plan
New Jersey’s e-bike law needs to exempt 20 mph e-bikes
In support of a grant application that would include a canopy for bike racks
What needs to be included in Mercer County’s New Mobility Element
Our recommendations for the FY26-27 capital improvement budget
In support of an extension of the Union Transportation Trail in East Windsor
A request to Mercer County for rapid-flashing beacons at Edinburg Road and Howell Court
In support of West Windsor’s status as a Safe Routes to School community
In support of a rapid-flashing beacon at the D&R Canal towpath and Quaker Road
Our suggestions for modifications to the Edinburg Road multi-use path
A call for sidewalks on Millstone Road
Input on design for roundabouts in West Windsor
Feedback on a draft Complete and Green Streets policy for the township
A request to speak with NJDOT about a safe bike/ped crossing of U.S. 1 at Fisher Place
In support of the Moses Tunda Tatamy Trail
Our recommendations for the FY25-26 capital improvement budget
In support of safety improvements on Alexander Road in Berrien City
A request to Plainsboro for rapid-flashing beacons between the high school and middle school
A request to Mercer County for rapid-flashing beacons at Clarksville Road and Norchester Drive
Policy recommendations in the wake of a pedestrian fatality on Rabbit Hill Road