Senator Diane Allen (R-Burlington) is looking to create a council to study and identify solutions for issues surrounding pedestrian and bicycle safety in New Jersey.

“In Burlington County, Route 130 has unfortunately held the title of being the state’s most dangerous road for pedestrians for several years in a row,” said Allen. “We have to take a close look at all the factors contributing to tragic crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists on this and other roads in communities across the state. If there are feasible infrastructure, design or traffic law changes we can make to improve safety we need to identify what those items are and implement them as soon as possible.”

Under Senator Allen’s bipartisan S-2521 a 18-member Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Council comprised of state and private transportation officials would be created and tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of pedestrian and bicycle safety-related issues in the Garden State. Among other things, the council will be tasked with identifying factors like the type of moving violations and infrastructure and design flaws that lead to crashes in New Jersey. The council would be required to issue an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings.

“Compared to the rest of the country a disproportionate number of fatal crashes in New Jersey involve a pedestrian,” Allen continued. “We know that there is shared responsibility between drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists alike when it comes to safety on the roads and that’s why this council will take a wide approach to studying and identifying the full spectrum of issues that lead to these crashes.”

Under S-2521 the council’s duties will include:

• Identify problem areas, safety concerns, infrastructure and design issues, and factors contributing to crashes involving pedestrians or bicyclists, including but not limited to the type of motor vehicle violations, including speeding, that contribute to accidents involving bicyclists or pedestrians.
• Study and analyze the rights, duties, and responsibilities of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, including the availability and effectiveness of driver education and training programs and other efforts to educate and inform the public about pedestrian and bicycle issues.
• Perform studies and review existing research on bicycle and pedestrian issues including, but not limited to, senior citizen mobility issues, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation.
• Review current State planning processes including bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
• Review current motor vehicle laws and study potential policies, legislative and regulatory solutions, and best practices designed to promote the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Promote cooperation and coordination between governmental agencies and private entities concerning bicycle and pedestrian safety, including, but not limited to, reviewing and recommending municipal planning practices concerning bicycle and pedestrian facilities, sidewalks, and lighting.

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