Peddling Proposals: A plan for new bike paths in Orangetown

BY JOE KUHN

Citizens and cycling enthusiasts from around Orangetown and all of Rockland County gathered at Orangetown Hall February 8 for a presentation on proposed upgrades to existing bike paths, as well as new pathways and facilities. Non-profit group Parks and Trails New York and the Town of Orangetown have working together on a study of biking in the town with the goal of establishing a ‘shared community cycling network.’

Parks and Trails NY general mission is to expand and protect and protect parks and trail throughout the state. Representatives from the group told those gathered that after months of research, they have a plan that to provide โ€œsafe bike connections from the Mario M. Cuomo Memorial Bridge all the way to Pearl River.”ย The Orangetown Bike Study, as the drafted plan is called, provides recommendations for the improvement of already existing bike paths as well as propositions for new cycling facilities all throughout Orangetown.ย 

Financed by a generous grant from the Tappan Zee Bridge Community Fund, the proposed pathway will link local roads, neighborhoods and already established rail trails into one combined network, creating a universal bike path that will be โ€œsafe and accessible for all ages.”ย The Orangetown Bike Study calls for the creation of bike lanes on certain streets, increased signage to promote awareness of bikers, and improvements to the shoulders of roads that will become part of the newly established trails.ย  ย ย 

The study also recommends enhancements to already established bike trails including an extension of the J.B. Clark Rail Trail, and improvements to the Old Erie Path.ย The project, which began in earnest last September, has been a community effort, with recommendations from local cyclists informing many of the choices made by Parks and Trails NY; roads included in the new path were selected based on advice from citizens and other factors including, speed limit and average daily traffic.

โ€œThe ongoing bike study for Orangetown and the results it returns are only as valuable as the quality and quantity of input given by the public,โ€ advised Town Supervisor Chris Day. “With substantial public involvement already, I encourage all who are interested in bike transportation within the town to continue that pattern.โ€ย ย ย 

An interactive map of the proposed trails has been posted atย Orangetown.com/bikestudyย where citizens are also able to post comments and view the slide show that was presented at last weekโ€™s meeting.ย ย 

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