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Supporters urge physical protection, bike boxes and left-turn accommodations
Summary
Several residents and regular cyclists endorsed the Parker plan and urged physical protection like flex posts, bike boxes at major intersections, leading pedestrian intervals and consideration of banning right-on-red at Parker–Prospect to reduce crashes.
Multiple speakers voiced support for the bike lanes and suggested additional design features to improve safety and usability. Rob Howley, who introduced himself and lives a few houses off Parker, said physical protections are needed near Columbia High School and cited a recent local crash by the school entrance.
"I would rather have a designated space off to the side, and cars, I'm sure, would prefer to have me out of their way," Rob Howley said, and urged the township to pursue flex posts or similar delineators. Others suggested bike boxes to help cyclists make left turns at busy intersections such as Maplewood Avenue and Valley Street and recommended consideration of leading pedestrian intervals and a ban on right-on-red at Parker and Prospect to reduce conflict points.
Supporters argued that investing in bike infrastructure will improve safety, encourage more people to walk and bike, and ultimately benefit local businesses and property values by making Maplewood more walkable and bikeable. Consultants and staff said they would vet such details as the plan advances from concept to construction documents.
