What's Happening
News & Current Projects View Photo Album
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!
The Report Part 1
The Report Part 2
The Report Appendices
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 Superintnedant 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 accross 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
Community Quilt: Ever dreamed of making your streets safer, more liveable and pedestrian friendly, and more beautiful? The Ocean City Community Arts Projects shares that dream and is making it a reality through a traffic calming, intersection murals. The first project was completed on Sunday morning April 26th at 20th & Haven Ave. 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:
Riding School Bus - Our school children should ride or walk to school when possible. It's healthy, green, and, conducted properly, promotes safety (the key is safety).
Community Quilt - Traffic calming street art; 1st project completed at 20th & Haven Ave
OC Paints A Street - A film By John Thornton
Haven Avenue Bike Boulevard Sculpture
Haven Avenue Bike Boulevard - It's open between 9th & 34th Streets! Ride! (& ride safely)
Crook Horn Creek Clean - up
Crook Horn Creek Nature Trail
Rt 52 Causeway
News:
New Community Arts Project - Join the Bike Parade!! CAP is unveiling more public art!
OC Gazette Blog - The Riding School Bus is Cool!
AC Press 5/14/09 - OC promotes biking .....
Press Release 5/13/09 - OC BOR donates bike racks
Press Release 4/15/2009 - Public invited to help with traffic safety quilt
OCPD Press Release 10/09 - OCPD wins traffic safety award
Gazette 9/24/08 - Crook Horn Creek
AC Press 7/16/08 - State promotes bike safety at OC Bike Path
Press Release 7/10/2008 - OC to host bike safety event
OC Gazette 5/28/2008 - Haven Ave Bike Path dedicated
Press Release 5/13/08 - OC promotes pedestrian & bike safety
Mayors Proclamation - Designating May as Bike Month
OC Gazette 3/12/2008 - Clean up at Crook Horn Creek
OC Gazette 1/16/08 - Haven Ave Bike Path progresses
AC Press 1/9/08 - Bike path to link OC, Atlantic County
Press Release 12/24/07 - OC plans bike friendly roadway
Press Release 10/2/07 - Action Plan for Bicycle Friendly Communities
Click Here To View Photo Album
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 ballfields, 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 recepticles 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 independant projects. The nature trail is a stand-alone project which does not include the railroad tracks. There is alot of support for a rails to trails project from 35th to 51st streets, but that project is independant 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
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, “
Haven Avenue is a natural connector in
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 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.
