TO THE EDITOR:
We are new owners in OG and have enjoyed this season hugely so far. This is a very polite and friendly town — and it has this most awesome blog.
However, when my wife and I were taking our first-ever night stroll on the Boardwalk around 9:30 pm last night (Saturday), we were unpleasantly surprised by the large number of bicycles being ridden. There was, in fact, almost a bike (or two) ever minute or so passing us, many riding at rapid speeds. Twice, small packs of bicycles passed (5-6 bikes) — with one of the packs being quite reckless (and noisy) and causing pedestrians to have to scatter. The boardwalk was pretty crowded, as there were many besides ourselves enjoying the warm summer night.
We were under the belief that bicycles could not be ridden on the Boardwalk during the season. Even if they are permitted, who is responsible for assuring that they keep the speed down? It seems to us that this is a potential safety issue on top of being a quality of life issue. What enforcement is done by the town on the Boardwalk at night?
Any information would be much appreciated.
DAVID HEPLER
Ocean Grove, June 25, 2012
I believe that bikes are allowed on the boardwalk between 3:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. But they are not allowed at 9:30 p.m. when you experienced the Tour de France in the Grove. Perhaps you should lodge a complaint with the Camp Meeting Association but, after this letter, we may hear from them.
Although we haven’t had any reports of injuries due to bicycle accidents, it probably happens, and you certainly should have the expectation that bikes not be on the boards during a prime time for a relaxing walk. I did witness the collision of two bikes one morning two weeks ago, but it occurred during the legal time zone.
We need a ticket writing campaign by the police. I bet in one hour on a Saturday night they could write 25 tickets — and thereby teach some folks a lesson in obeying the law. Bikes are a real problem at night on the boardwalk (I suspect mainly interlopers from other towns).
Saturday night, I noticed quite a few cyclists riding through the Casino area of AP, all headed south towards Ocean Grove.
Last year, I believe OG had auxiliary police (or whatever they’re called) on bicycle and Segway to monitor the OG boards.
I’m an avid cyclist and agree there needs to be more policing on bikes on the boardwalk between 10am-11pm.
I admit I cut through from Sea View through the Casino to get to Asbury during that time, as it’s much easier than the bridge. However, the sand on the OG side and inside the casino is becoming a big issue for bikes.
Where are the summer cops? And why aren’t they on the boardwalk?
Just a humorous aside. Can’t remember what exact year, maybe 2 years ago July 4th, but there was a ‘high speed chase’ on the boardwalk. Summer officer on a Segway racing after 2 kids on bikes.
Yes, the law/rules must be enforced and fines levied. Perhaps better signage on the Asbury and Bradley borders.
Cyclists have responsponsibilities, but they also have rights. And those rights should include a prerogative to use the boardwalk during specified times, days or seasons. As currently defined the span of time allowed for cyclists is very restricted and should be expanded. So that we might balance any enhancement of biking privileges with responsibilities, it would be a good idea to post a set of rules connected to good biking and, if possible, designate a lane on the boardwalk that cyclists could use. The sights of Ocean Grove and wonderous nature of the sea should be enjoyed by all–including cyclists.
I will ask the Chief to have the officers assigned to Ocean Grove keep an eye on the Boardwalk for bikes that are riding on it outside of the permitted hours. Pedestrian/bicycle collisions can be extremely damaging and painful, and it’s the last thing anyone wants to happen.
Respect goes both ways. Too many near misses by people who think the boardwalk is a raceway is discouraging for those of us who walk. Enforcement would go a long way to ensure everyone’s safety.
Hank, I like your viewpoint.
Thank you MBJ!!! Just have an officer spend an hour on the boardwalk each weekend night after dark. You’ll see a lot of bikes. In fact, you’ll see so many that you might need two officers, as folks will turn and run once a bike ahead gets stopped.
Things are much worse on the AP side of the OG fishing pier.
I believe that bikes on the street have to go with the same traffic flow of cars, not in the opposite direction of cars. Per a friend of mine who rides bikes in races and does a lot of training!! Which they don’t do in OG.
I don’t agree with Hank for the simple reason that pedestrians can be injured by a cyclist and not visa versa. it’s not a question of right and privileges when the playing field is not even, it’s a question of safety and being respectful of everyone’s desire to enjoy the boardwalk!
What irritates me is that I have seen a bicyclist yell at pedestrians for being in his way and it was at 5:30 in the afternoon! That being said when I pointed out to him that bikes weren’t allowed he had no idea and seemed genuinely surprised. There are VERY few signs and the signs that exist are very small. I’m not a bicyclist but I’ve often felt that the times permitted should be expanded somewhat like 12am-10pm. Also perhaps there should be something on the sign that asks that bicyclists go slow and yield to pedestrians during the times they are allowed on the boardwalk….
A bicyclist can be injured if a pedestrian hires the bike and throws the rider.
If its about everyone enjoying the boardwalk, everyone includes bike riders.
This is a perceived issue with little supporting fact. There isn’t a rash of bike vs pedestrian injuries between May and October. I can’t recall the last time an ambulance was requested for that. The bigger risk on the boards is people tripping on the loose screws and boards.
OG should also be planning and zoning to ease congestion on the boardwalk. If they developed beautiful promenade banks on Wesley Lake, starting with development of parks on the North End, it would ease congestion. Wesley Lake should be developed back into a strolling jewel, like it was at the turn of the century.
I don’t think 9:30 pm is prime time for a walk and the hours for cycling on the boards are a little too restrictive. Bikes should be allowed on the boards after 8:30 pm. That is 3 hours after the beaches are closed. I think Hank said it correctly. There are a lot of sidewalks….I dont see a bike lane anywhere….I also think leashed dogs should be allowed on the Boardwalk. Another two cents!
I’m with Hank and furthermore think it’s high time a better bike policy on all boardwalks was instituted. To ride your bike on the street along Ocean Avenue in any community in the summer is to take your life in your hands. Ignorant drivers cut you off constantly – almost in a frenzy if they spot an empty parking space. This happens to me EVERY time I ride in the summer. Should bikes be racing down the boardwalk at high noon? No way. But allowed to cross from one community to another at all times and taking advantage of the safety as well as the aesthetics of the boardwalk during off hours? Yes. Hey – they figured out a way to let cyclists cross the Brooklyn Bridge at all times employing a little common sense. I’m sure with a little thought the same can happen in New Jersey. Bike riders seem to be regarded as criminals and second-class citizens on the boardwalk. How about the people making the rules figure out a way to accommodate the many people who want to ride safely and sanely on the boardwalk? The best way to ensure everyone – pedestrian and cyclist – behaves repectfully on the boardwalk is to insitute a policy that respects both from the get-go. – Steven Froias
Adding to my comment from yesterday: the bikes coming from AP through the Casino area were moving fast, even with the sand cover. At a certain point, I felt it necessary to stop and let them pass.
Sorry, but realistically the Ocean Grove boardwalk is just too narrow for bikes AND foot traffic at the same time. It’s not the Brooklyn Bridge, it’s a pedestrian walkway! How is it really different from a sidewalk? There really isn’t room to create a bike lane for each direction, so who would be responsible for yielding? Who has the right of way? Do you expect people to scatter to let bikes pass? I guess so! It’s less than a mile long, so walk your bikes on it! If riding on Ocean Avenue is life threatening because people rush to parking spots or ignore stop signs, then that is a public safety issue that must be addressed by the Police.
@Steven Frois – Well Said!
Disney By The Sea,
Have to disagree with you. Primetime on the OG boards includes summer evenings, and 9:30 PM on a Saturday night is still “early” for pedestrians who have enjoyed OG entertainment/restaurants or are going to and from Asbury Park as I did this past Saturday.
Thank you from me, too, MBJ!
Disney by the Sea, I would love to be able to bring my dog up on the boardwalk, but there are just too many irresponsible dog owners who don’t clean up after their dogs. I wouldn’t be surprised if they ban them on the ocean side of Ocean, like they do in Bradley. Little ones running around, and people who are too lazy to clean up don’t make for a good match.
Steven,
You make some good points. It’s not just Ocean Grove, though, but it can be dangerous here on our stretch of Ocean Ave. I’d have to say that Belmar is the absolute worst during the summer. I don’t even like walking there, but on a bike is just ridiculous. The streets a block in from Ocean Ave aren’t much safer, either.
I’ll have to agree that I never hear about cyclist-on-pedestrian collisions. Does anyone have any reports or news articles from Ocean Grove?
It is sometimes the broad sweep and speed of the cyclists riding by that makes walking somewhat dangerous, even during approved hours.
Hank and I are old friends. He is a cyclist and I am a walker and we have often talked of ways of including some sort of bike lane along the boardwalk. The AP boardwalk is quite wide and certainly there seems to be enough room for a decent bike lane there. In Ocean Grove, it could be on a sidewalk on the beach side since the OG boardwalk is too narrow for a real bike lane. It would also be nice if the hours for AP and OG biking were the same.
The most frightening thing for a walker is to hear the rumble and feel the breeze of bikes to the left and right as you are walking. Some, not all, fly by without a care in the world. Imagine if you decide to suddenly turn around at the same time a bike is speeding at you. We have had our close calls. Last year, by the way, we did witness the aftermath of a bike hitting a pedestrian — not a pretty sight.
We need to find some common ground, before either a cyclist or pedestrian is seriously injured. Better signage, slower speeds and better enforcement of the hours would go a long way in improving use by all.
Jesse Vazquez.