Bike and Pedestrian Survey Ends Monday

The deadline to complete a public survey examining biking and walking habits in town has been extended until Sept. 20, members of the Teaneck Bike and Pedestrian Study Team said. The survey is part of an effort to improve conditions for bicyclers and walkers in the township. 

The study team, made up of private consultants, the Environmental Commission, state and township officials, will use the survey results as they consider possible changes to bike paths, roadways and other infrastructure, Environmental Commission Chair Harry R. Kissileff said.

Kissileff requested the extension because people might not have been aware of the survey over the summer.

Although the deadline to complete the survey was extended beyond the original Sept. 10 closing date, Kissileff said he was pleased with the response rate. As of late last week, 226 people had completed the 10-minute questionnaire.  

"We've got pretty much what we hoped for, and we might get more," he said.

Final survey results will not be available until November, when officials meet to seek final public input.

No specific information on the responses would be available until a consulting firm, hired by the state, analyzed the responses.  The state Department of Transportation provided the consultant, Michael Baker Jr. Inc, at no cost to the town through a state assistance program.

The master plan, set for completion in December, would examine accident data, detail ways to make bike paths more accessible and explore ways to connect Teaneck's pathways with nearby communities, Kissileff said.

When the master plan is finalized, the team will need to apply for grants in order to fund the proposed upgrades.

"Nothing is going to happen until we apply for money to do this," he said.

The upgrades, Kissileff said, are urgently needed as many bike paths are unsafe and poorly planned.

More than 180 pedestrian and bicycle crashes were reported in the township from 2007 – 2009, according to a report prepared by the study team.  Causes for the crashes included failure to yield and lack of marked crosswalks. 

Similar bike and pedestrian projects were done in Burlington County, said state DOT spokesman Tim Greeley.  The state provided the consultants and a project manager when towns are selected for a "local assistance planning study."

Teaneck's survey can be complete online or in person at the Teaneck Public Library.  The survey is open to anyone who travels through town and not restricted to township residents.  A Facebook group was also created to help gather the public's input.