Riding a bike to work in NJ—scary thought

Photos by Jeff Johnson Jr.

For most New Jersey drivers, getting to work means driving on roads that were never intended for bicycle traffic. If it isn't a busy, limited access highway like U.S. Route 1, seen here from Meadow Road in West Windsor Township ...

... then it's probably a narrow, two-lane rural road like Keefe Road in Lawrence Township. Though Keefe looks tame in this photo, taken outside of peak travel hours, rush-hour traffic barrels along the road with little regard for the 35-mph speed limit. With little or no shoulder space, roads like these are not likely to attract inexperienced cyclists looking to commute to work safely.


By Jeff Johnson Jr.

Given that I live just under four miles from my workplace, biking to work would seem to be a viable antidote to high gasoline prices, an easy way to help the environment, and good for my health.

Indeed, all of those arguments ring loud and clear in my head every time I get behind the wheel these days, and especially during my daily commute—until I have to pass a cyclist by the side of the road.

And every time I do, I see my kids' faces flash before my eyes.

Like many (possibly most) New Jersey commuters, I drive on roads that were built with one purpose in mind: Motor vehicle traffic. Without exception, whether I'm on my way to work or to the store, these are either limited-access highways or two-lane rural roads with no shoulder and certainly no bike lane.

Nevertheless, I haven't given up hope yet. But, clearly, finding a safe route will take some time and research. Here's my experience so far:

• The Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, a non-profit agency in my county, has produced a nice Mercer County bike map rating the suitability of area roads for bicycle traffic.


• One New Jersey bicyclist, Dustin J. Farnum Jr., has created an amazing map of bike routes state-wide—apparently as a hobby; it's "a labor of love", he told me. (I was so impressed with this work that I asked Justin to do a Q&A. It appears as a companion post to this one.)


• My township and a neighboring township are building a loop bicycle trail, the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail, that will eventually connect several neighborhoods and area employers.

In his Q&A, Dustin wasn't terribly enthused about these types of segregated-traffic bike trails. Indeed, given that the Lawrence Hopewell Trail is to be a 20-mile loop, its usefulness for commuting will be limited. But it's a start.

If there were separate trails like this that provided a more direct route, I'd take them, even if it meant a one, two, or possibly as far as three-mile detour off of my usual driving route. But ten (assuming where I want to go is on the complete far end of the loop, which it is) is a bit much.

In all seriousness, though, I'd even be willing to take the risk on the roads—if I didn't have other people in my life who depend on my health and safety.