NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The city government is working to make the city safer for cyclists, says Planning Director Glenn Patterson.
One component of Patterson’s efforts is a new initative to install seven “bike corrals” throughout the city.
The first one was installed near the Hidden Grounds coffee shop on Friday, at the intersection of Easton Avenue and Mine Street.
One of the owners of Hidden Grounds said the installation was a welcome improvement, and one the small business requested previously.
“Thank you city of New Brunswick for acting on our plea,” reads a popular Facebook post on the business’ page.
City Hall officials said the following additional locations will each receive similar installations soon:
- Somerset St. and College Ave. (by RU bookstore & train station)
- Prospect and French Sts. (by Kim’s Bikes)
- Townsend and French Sts.
- Bayard St. near City Hall
- Suydam St. and Remsen Ave. (by Unity Square Community Center)
Additionally, another corral is set to be installed near a controversial new highrise that is still under construction near the intersection of Condict St. and Easton Ave. Â Officials said that installation will have to wait until May.
But Andrew Besold, a North Brunswick resident who is active in the cycling community, had a concern about the way the U-shaped metal racks were installed.Â
“I just got done doing a whirlwind tour of some of the most bike-friendly communities in the nation and none of them installed their corral bike racks parallel to the curb. All were perpendicular or 45 degrees to the curb,” Besold posted on the city’s Facebook page.
“I’d be leery of my bike getting hit on those outside racks,” Besold wrote.
Nevertheless, even without the outside racks, the new corral can accomodate up to 10 bicycles and they take the place of what was once an illegal parking spot for cars.
Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.
