Sharing the Shore

Written by Laura Cerutti

People are not spending their summer sitting in shore traffic on the Garden State Parkway for nothing. With the amount of people flooding to shore towns on the weekends, it’s obvious that the Jersey Shore has a strong fan base. And after being stuck in shore traffic, what better way to enjoy the shore than on a bike ride or a walk?

Bicycles parked at the beach

Walking and biking are two favorite shore pastimes. The level ground makes a bike trip or long stroll easy to manage and the coastal views of the beach and bay are a novelty most people only get to enjoy a few times a year. For drivers, however, navigating the shore does not necessarily get easier after enduring a bumpy ride on the Garden State Parkway. Once you have finally reached your destination, it is imperative to remain vigilant when sharing the roads with an influx of bicyclists and walkers.

Biking and walking is a major component of the Jersey Shore’s culture. Most people stay within a short distance of the beach, shops, restaurants and boardwalk making it silly to use your car to get around. During my time at the beach I realized I go days without using my car. In fact, it usually stays parked in its spot from the time I get there until I reluctantly leave to head home. One reason my car stays in its place is because it’s hard to find parking after giving up a space, the other is because I find driving the local roads to be a stressful experience due to the swarms of bicyclists and pedestrians. I too find myself being more inclined to take part in the shore’s bike/walk culture more than I would at home, but no matter how I am traveling, my safety senses are heightened.

After observing the driving, walking and bicycling behaviors of those around me at the beach, I noticed these three modes of transportation do not exactly coexist peacefully. Too many times I have seen pedestrians jaywalking when a cross walk is only yards away, drivers failing to give the right-of-way to pedestrians who are actually in the crosswalks or bicyclists riding towards the beach on the wrong side of the street.

People of the shore travel in “vacation mode”. The bicyclists may only ever ride while there and never in the
off season, meaning they could be lacking regular road experience. Pedestrians can be seen heading to the beach while trying to balance several beach items like chairs, towels, and bags causing them to be less aware of their surroundings. And drivers can be distracted while searching for parking, looking for places to eat, or by being on their cell phones. When you mix these hazards and put them in a crowded shore town, unfortunate incidents are bound to happen.

Long Beach Island Shuttle Bus

To combat crashes involving pedestrians at the Jersey Shore, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) recently launched the Street Smart campaign in Long Beach Island. Between 2009 and 2012, LBI had a total of 13 pedestrian related crashes. It was found that most of these crashes were caused by either pedestrians crossing outside of marked crosswalks or drivers failing to yield.
The goal for LBI’s Street Smart movement is to encourage both motorists and pedestrians to check their “vital signs” of obeying the speed limits, stopping for pedestrians, waiting for the “walk” signal at intersections, and crossing at crosswalks.

Just like Long Beach Island, other popular shore towns experience a rise in pedestrians and bicycle related crashes, especially during the summer months. Between 2009 and 2014, municipalities like Long Branch, Belmar and Point Pleasant Beach have all had an uptick in crashes between May and September. Similar to LBI, these crashes were most likely caused by the disconnect between drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

All road users have the right to a safe passage and everyone needs to do their part in keeping the roadways safe, not matter how you choose to travel. In busy areas, like the Jersey Shore in the summer, knowing your part in sharing the road is key to creating a travel-friendly environment. Whether you choose to ride, walk, or driver, we have a few key tips for all road users!

Bicyclists:

• Ride Right, meaning with traffic.
• Behave as a vehicle, meaning         stop at stop signs and use turn           signals.
• Watch the door zone of         distracted drivers
• Get to know NJ’s bike laws!
• Get a bell to alert others on the         road when you are approaching.

Pedestrians:

• Stick to the sidewalks or walk to the left side of the street! (Ride         Right, Walk Left!)
• Cross at crosswalks! Jay walking could earn you a $54 ticket.
• Cross at the “walk sign.”

Drivers:

• Scan the road for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Be prepared to stop.
• Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks or you could face a $200 fine         and two points.
• Slow down! A small increase in speed can make the biggest         difference. Pedestrians and bicyclists are less protected and more         vulnerable. If a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle traveling at 20         MPH they have a 90% chance of surviving, if hit at 40 MPH         that number drops to a 10% chance of surviving.