Residents urge protected bike lanes as Woodbridge revamps free bike-share

A resident at the Division of Sustainability presentation urged the township to prioritize protected bike lanes and better network connections after town staff described a free bike-share program.

The resident said the bike-share helps people who cannot own bikes but that safety remains a major barrier: "it's still not safe for bikes," the resident said, noting shared-road markings do not provide adequate protection and advocating for protected lanes that connect housing to destinations such as the mall and community center.

Town staff acknowledged the safety concern and said the town commissioned analyses of potential bike connectivity. Thomas Flynn, environmental specialist, said many of the town's older streets lack the width to add dedicated lanes without acquiring private property, and that some key thoroughfares are county or state roads whose jurisdictions limit the town's ability to reconfigure them.

Lucas, a part-time sustainability staffer, said the bike-share program is being revamped with new, more rider-friendly bikes and a new interface. He named three locations planned for launch or relaunch: East Williams, Kennedy Park and Ferry Street.

Presenters asked for volunteer help to develop connectivity maps and outreach materials to show residents safe routes. They also said the sidewalk-audit project has mapped worn desire lines where sidewalks are missing and flagged those spots as potential public-sidewalk candidates on town-owned property (not private property).