Pedal Greenwich is conducting a survey for the Bicycle Task Force that needs to be voted on by Monday morning. It concerns a rerouting of the East Coast Greenway bike route in the Riverside, Cos Cob, OG area. DPW is looking for feedback on which route to chose.
The First Selectman’s Bicycle Task Force and Public Works Department value your votes and feedback before Monday morning.
Greenwich and Stamford are recommending a change to the route of the East Coast Greenway through parts of both towns to improve the experience for cyclists everywhere. Millions in federal funding is being released to improve the Greenway in Connecticut, and so this decision will be a boon for everyone.
Here are maps of the three route options.
Please review maps of the three route options and read the pros and cons here. Then select a route you prefer.
*Pedal Greenwich believes the West End Ave option is the best alternative.
Proposed Options for re-routing of the East Coast Greenway through Eastern Greenwich. The purpose is to improve safety and experience for all travelers and connect with Stamford route at new location.
A. Riverside Ave at US 1 – Lockwood Road – Sound Beach Ave – Shore Rd
pros:
• eliminates dangerous US 1 segment between Riverside Ave and Lockwood Ln
• continuous sidewalk on Lockwood Ave on uphill climb (westbound), and entire length of Sound Beach Ave amenities along route (Library, Park, shops)
•better potential for Bike/Ped enhancements
• does not pass Riverside neighborhood schools
cons:
• more traffic than other options
• does not pass Riv neighborhood schools
B. Riverside Ave at US 1 – Hendrie Ave – Wesskum Wood Rd – Sound Beach Ave – Shore Rd
pros:
• eliminates dangerous US 1 segment between Riverside Ave and Lockwood Ave
• less traffic overall than option A (Hendrie-Wesskum Wood segment)
• amenities along route (Library, Park, shops)
• passes Riv neighborhood schools
cons:
• no sidewalk on uphill climb (Wesskum Wood)
• dangerous unsignalized left turn onto Wesskum Wood (westbound)
• less potential for Bike/Ped enhancements
• passes Riv neighborhood schools
*C. Riverside Ave at US 1 – West End Ave – Sound Beach Ave – Shore Rd
pros:
• eliminates dangerous US 1 segment between Riverside Ave and Lockwood Ave
less traffic overall than option A
• amenities along route (Ada’s, RR station, shops)
• does not pass Riv neighborhood schools
cons:
• Library and Park not on route
• no sidewalk on uphill climb (westbound)
• less potential for Bike/Ped enhancements
• does not pass Riv neighborhood schools
Note: The Bike Task Force and DPW will review your responses and decide Monday morning, Aug 15, (yes this Monday!) which of these alternatives to recommend to the Board of Selectmen (the Town’s Traffic Authority) for approval.
Your feedback matters whether you are familiar with the Greenway or not, as these are public roads and they need to be as safe and convenient as possible for all users. Pedal Greenwich believes that the West End Ave route is the best option, because it provides a water vista, avoids areas where schools get congested at drop-off and pick-up hours, and follows streets that are wider, yet calm, and might accommodate official bike lanes in the future.
Thanks in advance for your fast response!