OCNJDaily.com, March 2016
BikeOCNJ.org wins statewide award at New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition summit.

Fair Haven Mayor and Ocean City Bike Advocates Receive Highest Honor from New Jersey's Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Organization - NJ Bike & Walk Coalition's 'Advocate of the Year' Awards Presented to Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli and BikeOCNJ at Annual Summit

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (Mar. 2, 2016) – New Jersey’s statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization has designated Fair Haven Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli and Ocean City bike advocacy group BikeOCNJ as the 2016 recipients of its Advocate of the Year Award.  Selected by the Board of Directors of the NJ Bike & Walk Coalition each year, individuals and organizations are given the award in recognition of their excellence in the bicycle and pedestrian advocacy movement.
"This year's recipients truly distinguished themselves through their highly effective advocacy efforts," said Brian Stolar, Chair of the NJ Bike & Walk Coalition Board of Directors.  "Mayor Lucarelli and BikeOCNJ were instrumental in seeing Complete Streets realized not only as a policy and planning principle, but also as a fully implemented practice that is making their communities safer and more vibrant."

Mayor Lucarelli and Bike OCNJ, represented by Co-chairs Thomas Heist and Drew Fasy, were presented with their awards at last Saturday's NJ Bike & Walk Summit at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.
Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli has been an avid supporter of Complete Streets in Monmouth County since his election as mayor of Fair Haven in 2012. He was the force behind Monmouth County reversing its April 2015 resolution to place all costs onto the municipalities for Complete Streets implementation on county roads. Mayor Lucarelli leveraged the resources of the NJ Bike & Walk Coalition in outreach efforts to local residents, visitors, bike shops and clubs and other civic groups interested in improving road safety in the county. This outreach generated hundreds of notes to the Freeholders demanding that the county fund bike lanes on its roads.  The mayor also worked tirelessly with local and state elected officials, with the U.S. Departmont of Transportation and New Jersey Department of Transportation, and together with the outreach campaign, he was able to convince the freeholders to pass a revised resolution in July 2015 that created a first-of-its-kind cost share agreement between the municipalities and the county, making it easier for towns to add Complete Streets features to county roads traversing their towns. "I called assemblymen and senators and worked with the county engineer to push for change," said Lucarelli.  "Certain people are afraid of change, but at the end of the day, when we're generating an outpouring of support with hundreds of emails going out to the Freeholders, it becomes clear that in our area, people want it and we're ready for it."   Mayor Lucarelli is one of only eight New Jersey mayors to participate in U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx’s “Mayors' Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets” initiative that began in March 2015 and challenges mayors to “raise the bar for bicyclist and pedestrian safety” in their communities.  In November 2015, four miles of bike lanes were implemented under the new arrangement, on Ridge and Rumson Roads in Red Bank, Little Silver, Fair Haven and Rumson, connecting with Route 36 at the Shrewsbury River Bridge in Sea Bright, where the N.J. Department of Transportation will be adding bike lanes in the spring. More bike lanes are planned that will eventually complete a bike lane network throughout eastern Monmouth County. Fair Haven is a town that has embraced bicycle friendly features for several decades, including closing a street each day so that children can walk and ride their bikes to school and a bicycle “Ride of Passage” from the third grade to the fourth grade led by the mayor.

The many accomplishments of Ocean City’s BikeOCNJ, under the leadership of Heist and Fasy, date back to 2000 when the group advocated for and successfully obtained the city’s first “Yield to Pedestrian” street signage. The victories continued from there, including the state’s first use of the sharrow, the first Bike Boulevard in a New Jersey town, a riding school bus program, street quilts/art design at four intersections, the city’s first bicycle map, one of the state’s first end-to-end bike ways, an ordinance allowing children to ride their bikes on the boardwalk to get to school, a Complete Streets policy, bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community designation, 40 on-street bike corrals throughout the city, bike racks at all three public schools, a HAWK/pedestrian crossing signal on busy 9th Avenue, bike lanes and rightsizing of West Avenue and West Atlantic Avenue, and a bicycle safety poster campaign for six bicycle rental companies and the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce public information centers.
The volunteers of BikeOCNJ have achieved these successes through collaborations forged with community partners, including the mayor’s office and the city council, the police department, the city engineer, Cape May County, the school district, the PTA, and the Chamber of Commerce. "When you're passionate, it's infectious," said Heist. "People want to jump in and do great things."  
"This year's recipients exemplify a role model for peers while inspiring teamwork among many and often disparate stakeholders," said Cyndi Steiner, Executive Director of the NJ Bike & Walk Coalition.  "The proof of their efforts is the victories they have achieved for biking and walking in their communities and counties, ultimately making New Jersey a safer, healthier, and more livable state."  

About the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition
The New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition is a statewide advocacy organization for bicyclists and pedestrians.  NJBWC is dedicated to protecting the rights and safety of New Jersey's bicyclists and walkers, promoting bicycling and walking for fun, fitness, and transportation, educating cyclists, walkers, and drivers about our rights and responsibilities, and connecting our communities with a smarter transportation system. NJBWC is a collective voice for everyone who believes that a safer, more rideable and walkable New Jersey means a more livable, sustainable New Jersey.

OCNJDaily.com, 2015
Ocean City Bicycle Route: Map and Video Tour

Ocean City Patch, November 10, 2015
State Recognizes Ocean City With Complete Streets Excellence Award

ShoreNewsToday November 2015
Safety tops list of wants for Ocean City bike community

ShoreNewsToday June 2015
Ocean City High School debuts new bicycle curriculum

Summer Family Island Cruiser Group Rides, July 2012
Join us for free Island Cruiser Group Rides.
Mid-town Ride every Tuesday at 9am. Tour the OC bike path, nature reserve, and boardwalk. Leaves Tuckahoe Bike Shop at 1214 West Avenue.South-end Ride every Wednesday at 10am. Tour Corson’s Inlet State Park and enjoy views of the coastal marsh and wildlife. Leaves from 55th Street Bike Rentals at 55th St. and West Avenue. For more information call 609-398-9700. Please show up 15 minutes before the ride. Now through Labor Day weather permitting.


New Group Begins Weekly Riding. March 2012
Tuckahoe Bike Shops will be sponsoring group rides from their bike shop located at 1214 West Ave., Ocean City. The rides will be held every Wednesday evening at 5:30 beginning April 3, continuing through the summer, and will be free to all residents and visitors to Ocean City. Initial planned routes will be 30 miles traveling south through Ocean City to Sea Isle City, looping west on various roads through Upper Township, and returning to OC via 34th St. bridge. Future routes will be planned with opening of new 9th St. bridge to bike traffic.
Pace will be geared to the average recreational riders (B/C level) on hybrid/road bikes with route maps provided to those who want to ride at a faster pace. Helmets are required for all riders.
For more information, call or stop by the Tuckahoe Bike Shop at 1214 West Ave., Ocean City, 609-399-9700.

Grant May Help Connect Corson's Inlet Rail Trail to Ocean City. Jan 2012
Read Story

Ocean City moving forward with DOT recommendations. Nov 2011

City officials plan for north end bike path.   Read Story 

City applies for 2 grants: Safe crossing of 9th St, and improvements to bike path between 5th and 6th St behind Primary School.   Read Story 

City adopts Complete Streets. Oct 2011
Ocean City City Council unanimously passes Complete Streets Resolution.  

Dot Completes Haven Avenue Corridor Report  June 2011                      
The city of Ocean City was selected by the NJ Dept. of Transportation to receive a Local Technical Assistance grant to study the potential for improvements to the existing Haven Avenue Bicycle Boulevard, and to implement a bicycle boulevard the length of the island from the Corson's Inlet Bridge to the Longport Bridge using the Haven Avenue Corridor.  
Links To Final Report Below  ** If you have questions or comments, and/or want to offer input or suggestions, please go to the Contact Us page. We want to hear from you! 



Ocean City Receives Local Technical Assistance from DOT - 2010  The Haven Avenue Bike Boulevard, as well as the potential rail-trail from 36th to 49th Streets will be the focus of a study to improve biking in Ocean City.  

Bike Racks Added at OCHS  Thanks to the efforts of the city of Ocean City, the Ocean City School Board, the Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Taylor and staff members, the Advisory Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, and a generous donation from the Ocean Fire Fire Department (FMBA); additional bike racks were added to the school at both the 5th and 6th st entrances for use by the students during school and for public use for activities at the school and Carey Stadium.  

New Safety Signs - Coming soon to a bike rack near you!

4th Annual Community Bike Meeting:   On Monday April 19th, 2010 the community was invited to attend and participate in a discussion of the further development of safe bike routes in Ocean City. Among the topics discussed were improvements and better connectors to the downtown area, and creating a 13 block connection between 36th and 49th streets - either by way of a 2-way separated bike lane on the west side of West Avenue, or by using the old Pennsylvania Seashore line rail bed as a "Rail-Trail". 
* See the Photo Album for the West Avenue and Rail-Trail graphics.
Those in attendance overwhelmingly support improvements to the downtown and the Rail-Trail. 

Biking Through The Ages   - A New Community Arts Project! Join the fun on May 22nd!

Exodus Bike Club - Ocean City's first bike club! Ride every Tuesday evening.
Contact Carrie Merritt:  carriemerritt@yahoo.com  

Sharrow: The Sharrow is a "Share The Road" symbol becoming popular across the country to designate roadways as multi-use. These lane markings, in the absence of designated bike lanes, communicate to cars that bikes share the roadway and designate a "lane" within the roadway for bikes to travel to keep them away from opening car doors. Ocean City is the first municipality in the state to use the Sharrow! Learn more:
Bike TV - Painting Sharrows
Sharrow - Open Door Disaster

Bike Racks: 30, 6-bike racks will be installed in the Spring of 2009! While racks are needed all over the city, the initial installation locations include the downtown (between 6th and 12th Streets) and along Haven Avenue at park & recreation locations. These racks are also being offered for purchase through the adopt-a-park program so that citizens can purchase a rack for their beach entrance (as an example) - with the donors name indicated on a plaque. More racks & locations to come!! 
Click here to see rack design & specifications.
Ocean City Board of Realtors Donates Racks

Bike & Eco Tourism Brochure: During each of the public meetings held, attendees have suggested and asked for additional safety & route information - both for residents and for visitors. We are creating a brochure which will provide this vital information, and will be distributed and accessible throughout the island.
Click Here For 2009 Brochure

Riding School Bus:  A Riding or Walking School Bus is a program developed through the National Safe Routes to School Foundation. It is designed to encourage kids to walk or ride their bikes to school for physical activity, while teaching them traffic safety principles. Twice a year, in the Fall and in the Spring (during National Bike Week in May), a Riding School Bus is conducted by the Ocean City Intermediate School and OC Community Policing Unit. 
A student film

September 10, 2018 - Our bike video award winners were recognized and commended by the Upper Township Committee.

Bikeocnj.org

What's Happening?  News & Current Projects 

June 13, 2018 - Ocean City High School Students Win Bike Safety Contest

The two PSA videos below were created by four OCHS students who won a contest on bicycle safety. The students could select from different topics on bicycle safety including obeying traffic signs, the importance of riding with the flow of traffic, why you shouldn’t ride on the sidewalk and why you should always wear a safety helmet.  The students didn’t even know what their prize would be until Tuesday, when they were presented with checks each in the amount of $750 in scholarship money given to them by the Ocean City Police Department PBA Local 61 and Tom Heist, of Heist Insurance, chairman of www.bikeocnj.org.

Biking Ocean City, New Jersey

Runner-up

August 23, 2018

Here's a link to the OCNJ Daily article regarding the 11th Annual Bike Meeting.

Winner

The second project was completed on October 3rd, and consisted of 2 intersections: 52nd & 53rd on Haven Ave.   
Great Community Project! Take a peak
Click here to see a short video as background. 
OC Paints A Street - A Short Film By John Thornton
Southend Street Art


Projects:


News:
Ocean City Receives "Bike Friendly Community" Designation from the League of American Bicyclists!

 
Haven Avenue Bike Boulevard

Beginning in the Spring of 2008, Haven Avenue will become a dedicated bike route between 9th and 34th Streets. This will be accomplished by introducing traffic calming measures: speed limits reduced to 15 MPH, 4-way stop signs at every intersection, additional signage and street paint. The reduced speed limits and 4-way stops will virtually eliminate all but local auto traffic, encouraging more bike use. Less cars, more bikes. More bikes, less cars.
Why Haven Avenue?
Haven Avenue has always been viewed as the perfect North/South bike corridor in Ocean City. It is in the center of the island, away from the hustle & bustle of the beach and boardwalk. It is home to, or in very close proximity to; 2 of our schools, the Cultural and Community Center, 7 playgrounds and/or ball fields, the transportation center,  2 major food shops, 3 pharmacies, and numerous other stores & shops. With improved East/West connectors, it also offers easy and safe access to our downtown, the boardwalk, our 2 other schools, etc.
We hope to develop a Safe Routes To School Program.
Additionally, the new Rt 52 Causeway will have a dedicated bike lane which connects to those in Atlantic County. This bike path begins in Somers Point and runs through Linwood, Northfield and all the way to Mays Landing. The proposed new 9th Street Vision Plan will incorporate a bike lane from the bridge to Haven Avenue and beyond.
The Haven Avenue Bike Route is an exciting project for our community! The first step in creating a more bike friendly community. We hope additional phases will include extending the Haven Avenue bike route from 9th Street north to the Longport Bridge; improving the East/West connectors, the creation of a rail-trail from 35th Street south to 51st Street; as well as amenities for bikers such as added bicycle parking, water & air stations, lockers, etc. 
Developing infrastructure for bicyclists is now the norm in community planning. Transportation, health and environmental considerations all validate the need for making communities bike friendly. 

Crook Horn Creek Nature Trail

The Proposed Crook Horn Creek Nature Trail:
A Guide To Understanding The Issues As Presented By Its Supporters

The proposed Nature Trail at Crook Horn Creek is a plan to clean up the dirt road that already exists from 51st street to the creek (inland waterway).  Initially the plan included a nature observatory and other “amenities” but were eliminated due to feedback from the public/neighbors.  Proposed improvements include:  removal and cleanup of debris (garbage & refuse); grading and resurfacing the old road with a porous material (yet to be determined); new (permitted) fishing/crabbing pier to replace the 2 old (unpermitted) piers, 2 access points from 52nd St; signage (designating the area as a nature trail); and trash receptacles at the entrances. Despite what is being said (and written in to the local papers) by opponents, the project plans as submitted to the Dept. of Environmental Protection call for no parking lot(s), no gazebo, no restrictions on fishing or crabbing, no intrusion into the existing wetlands, and certainly no other "attractions". The project is simple and environmentally sound. It is, in fact, a cleanup and maintenance project designed to protect an a part of our island which has been left to it's own devices for far too long - as this beautiful, natural wetland habitat has been overlooked and too often abused.    
This Q&A is designed to give the public a different view of what is being proposed than the information dispersed by a group of nearby property owners opposed to this project.

FAQ

Q: Why is it necessary to do anything to the dirt road trail?
A: Although the area is currently enjoyed by fisherman, crabbers and people who enjoy nature, it has also become an area abused by people who dispose of garbage and refuse; items such as tires, motor oil, and shrubbery. It is NOT “perfect the way it is, in it’s natural state”.  We support cleaning up the overall appearance and managing the area as a nature area so it will be appreciated and respected by all who visit.

Q: Is it true the Nature Trail will prohibit fishing and crabbing?
A: No. In fact, the existing (unpermitted) piers will be replaced with a newer, safer (permitted) pier.

Q: Is the Nature Trail designed to be a tourist attraction?
A: Not at all. The area will continue to allow access to a natural area of our island environment, but there are no other enhancements that would attract tourists. In fact, it will be more restrictive, in terms of auto access. Those that choose to enjoy the area would, more than likely, be more respectful of the environment.

Q: Will the Nature Trail be harmful to the environment?
A: This project must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Environmental Protection and is considered a “low impact” project.  In fact, the project itself is a clean-up and management project. The very purpose is to preserve and protect an environmentally sensitive area. Despite the conjecture and opinions of some, the DEP's sole reason for being is to protect our environment. Their expertise and judgement should decide the best course for the Crook Horn Creek area. Neighbors with a personal agenda should not.

Q: Will people who live adjacent to the Nature Trail lose personal privacy?
A: Nothing will change which would reduce or increase privacy. They may, in fact, enjoy less auto traffic when the road is blocked to vehicles.

Q: Will vehicles continue to be allowed on the Nature Trail?
A: No. The project details include a gate at the entrance. We do not support vehicle access except for specific, supervised purposes.

Q: Is the Nature Trail the first phase of a rails to trails bike trail?
A: No. They are two independent projects. The nature trail is a stand-alone project which does not include the railroad tracks. There is a lot of support for a rails to trails project from 35th to 51st streets, but that project is independent of this.

Q: Is this the first environmentally sensitive area to be improved and managed in Ocean City?
A: No, other projects include the Stainton Nature area at 29th & Bay, and the Corson Inlet State Park at the south end of the island.  Both pristine, natural areas.

Q: Why are residents against this project?
A: Most residents are not against this project. Most residents support this project. There is a small but vocal group of homeowners in opposition. Unfortunately, this group has created doubt among some citizens as to the nature of the project. This group and/or individual neighbors have made false statements indicating: fishing and crabbing would not be allowed; the wetlands would be destroyed; this is part of a "bigger plan"; and that their is going to be "boardwalk themed attractions". All of these statements are false and have been made purposely to misinform the public in order to gain support. They seek only to further their agenda of protecting their personal privacy.    

Rt 52 Causeway

Included in the new bridge construction; a 12-foot wide pedestrian walkway and bike path extends the full length of the project separated from traffic lanes. The bike path/walkway will connect to a new Visitors Center and fishing areas along the bridge and to other bicycle and pedestrian facilities in Somers Point and Ocean City. The Ocean City Visitors Center will be reconstructed as part of the new bridge’s Scenic Overlook. Other amenities include boat ramps, fishing piers, parking lots and walkways.
The 9th Street entrance from the Route 52 causeway will be transformed into a welcoming entryway  announcing arrival in the City. (see artists renditions below)  Included will be a continuation of the bike/pedestrian path which will intersect the Haven Avenue Bike Route and extend to Asbury Avenue and eventually to the boardwalk and beach.
The causeway bike path will connect to the Somers Point path, which traverses Atlantic County; through Linwood, Northfield and as far as Mays Landing. 
"Connecting Communities" through bicycle/pedestrian paths, routes and greenways.  

City Of Ocean City Press Release 12/24/07
Ocean City Plans Bike Friendly Roadway on Haven Avenue 

OCEAN CITY, NJ - A major effort to make Ocean City a model for bicycle friendly communities got underway on Thursday when City Council unanimously supported two ordinances to designate Haven Avenue from 9th Street to 34th Street as a bike route.   The Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports are strong advocates for supporting incentives such as this that promote biking and walking. This idea grew out of the 20th to 24th Street project that established similar goals making the Haven Avenue area pedestrian and biking friendly. More than 100 residents attended a public meeting earlier this year to review this project and voiced their strong support.
Mayor Sal Perillo stated, “ Ocean City is a very health conscience community and residents and visitors want to use bikes to get around – our goal is to provide more biking alternatives and improve safety.”
Haven Avenue is a natural connector in Ocean City.  Major public facilities like the Transportation Center, Community Center, Intermediate School, and the Stainton Refuge are all located on this route.  The Haven Avenue Bike Route can be used to provide safe access to the Downtown and eventually will connect to a new bike lane on the Route 52 causeway.  The causeway bike lanes will tie into the Somers Point bike path – connecting Ocean City to the extensive bike path network on the mainland.
To promote biking on Haven Avenue, four way stop signs will be installed at some intersections, a reduced speed limit of 15 miles will be recognized and public outreach programs to include brochures, government Access 2 information and new way finder signage will be introduced to the public. Jim Rutala, Ocean City’s Business Administrator, noted, “This is just the start – the Capital Plan includes funding to install bike racks throughout the City.  The Vision Planning that is underway includes making the Downtown more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and providing a safe connection from the Asbury Avenue to the Boardwalk.”   

Ocean City Press Release 10/2/07
OCEAN CITY ADOPTS ACTION PLAN FOR BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES 

OCEAN CITY, NJ…..  City council adopted a resolution on an Action Plan for Bicycle Friendly Communities presented by the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. 
The Mayor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has been working to promote initiatives to benefit a bicycle friendly community.  They are educating the public about the bike lanes at 9th Street and the Causeway and the bike route from 9th Street to 34th Street on Haven Avenue. Andrew Fasy, Chairman of the Council on Physical Fitness and Sports noted, “This is a great opportunity to promote initiatives for the benefit of the health and safety of the public and to be able to educate the community to be bicycle and pedestrian friendly.”  Mayor Sal Perillo applauded the Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and City Council leadership for approaching this initiative and working together.  “We have been working to promote a number of good healthy initiatives – they have been doing a great job and they are a pleasure to work with” Mayor Perillo stated.