By Thomas A. DeGise

Here in New Jersey we travel by car, train, bus, bike, foot, motorcycle, light rail, ferry, even skateboard. But even with all these options, getting around isn’t always easy.

Traffic jams are common. So are train delays. At times, the problems can even be deadly.

In the first half of 2014, five bicyclists and 71 pedestrians died on New Jersey’s roads, according to the State Police. That’s in addition to 158 fatalities among motorists and their passengers.

Related: What are the seven deadliest roads for pedestrians in NJ?

For decades, our streets have been designed mainly with cars in mind. For people who either can’t drive or choose not to, car-friendly streets with inadequate signage, sidewalks and crosswalks aren’t just inconvenient – they can be downright dangerous.

Moreover, poorly designed streets create a cyclical problem: It can be so difficult to get around on foot, bike or bus that people may choose to drive even when they have other options, adding to congestion.

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So how can we ensure everyone – no matter whether they are old, young, handicapped, a driver, a walker or a cyclist – can get to work, shop, or catch the bus on time, and get where they’re going safely?

Local and state governments around the country are increasingly adopting a strategy called “Complete Streets.” Through Complete Streets initiatives, policy makers support streetscape development and improvements that allow for diverse, safe modes of travel, and accommodate people of different abilities and preferences. For example, a “complete street” might include bike lanes, crosswalks, wider sidewalks, more and clearer signs, street lights timed with pedestrians in mind, strategically located parking entrances, or larger bus stops.

Completing our streets doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Many improvements – such as restriping crosswalks and changing signal timing – can be done quickly and cheaply while making streets much safer and easier to use for all travelers. For larger road and bridge projects, sidewalks and bike lanes often make up just a very small percentage of the cost.

In New Jersey, seven counties and more than a hundred municipalities have adopted Complete Street policies. In addition, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has adopted a state-wide Complete Streets policy that applies to the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of new and reconstructed transportation facilities funded through the NJDOT capital program.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

This piece is part of a series on how to improve New Jersey quality of life, presented by Together North Jersey in partnership with The Star-Ledger and NJ.com.

Together North Jersey, a regional planning initiative, will be talking with readers throughout the summer on a range of quality of life issues affecting the state.

Your thoughts will help guide a regional plan that can shape public policy in New Jersey for years to come. Learn more about the project here.



In recent years, for example, Hudson County and several of its municipalities have adopted such policies, and that’s led to some significant changes. For instance, the City of Hoboken made a series of improvements on Hudson Place at Hoboken Terminal. Wider sidewalks, new bike parking, a bike repair area and other improvements all make getting to the station easier and safer.

And just last week, Hudson County opened a new 14th Street Viaduct connecting Hoboken with Union City and Jersey City. Not only does the viaduct improve traffic flow for cars, but the project also completely transformed the streetscape below the bridge, adding recreation space, a pocket park, cobblestone streets and other features to make it truly pedestrian friendly. This redesign aims to improve safety, encourage physical activity and aid the ongoing revitalization of Hoboken.

These are just a couple of examples of the kinds of important improvements that can happen under a complete streets policy. There are many other initiatives throughout New Jersey, from Montclair to Lambertville, Newark to Camden, each facing its own challenges and creating streets that fit their local needs. But if implemented successfully, Complete Streets can improve transportation options for residents and improve quality of life – no matter who, no matter where.

Let us know: Where are New Jersey's worst sidewalks and walking/biking paths? Where are the hardest places to walk or ride a wheelchair safely? How about bikes or skateboards? Tell us in the comments, or tweet pictures or descriptions with #njworstwalk. We'll share your answers here on NJ.com.

Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise is a member of the Executive Committee for Together North Jersey and currently serves as Chairman of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.

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