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BICYCLE FACILITIES INVENTORY:

SUMMARY REPORT
Southern New Jersey

September 2008

2002 D Lincoln Drive West


Marlton, NJ 08053

(856) 596-8228
www.driveless.com
BICYCLE FACILITIES INVENTORY
SUMMARY REPORT
Southern New Jersey

September 2008

Prepared by:

Cross County Connection


Transportation Management Association

2002 D Lincoln Drive West


Marlton, NJ 08053

Phone: 856-596-8228
Fax: 856-983-0388

ccctma@driveless.com
www.driveless .com
Bicycle Facilities Inventory: Summary Report
_______________________________________________________________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page
Introduction 1
Methodology 2
Inventory Findings 3
• Burlington and Camden Counties 3
• Atlantic County 8
• Gloucester County 9
• Salem County 10
• Cumberland County 11
• Cape May County 12
Summary 13

LIST OF MAPS

Map Title Page


Burlington and Camden Counties: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2003 4
Burlington County Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2008 5
Camden County Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2008 6
Atlantic County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2005 8
Gloucester County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2005 9
Salem County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2006 10
Cumberland County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2006 11
Cape May County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2007 12
Southern New Jersey Bicycle Facilities Inventory 14

List of Tables

Bicycle Facilities Inventory, Burlington and Camden Counties, 2003-2008 7


Bicycle Facilities Inventory by County, Southern New Jersey 13

i
Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
_______________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, much attention has been given to improving bicycle facilities
throughout New Jersey. An increasing number of municipalities in southern New
Jersey are adding bicycle facilities to their road network. NJ TRANSIT permits
bicycles on-board most of its public transit services. In southern New Jersey,
bicycles are permitted on NJ TRANSIT buses, the River LINE, the Atlantic City
rail line, the BurLink system and the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO)
Speedline. As traffic congestion continues to worsen and gas prices continue to
increase, government leaders and the private sector throughout New Jersey are
realizing the worth of bicycling as a commute alternative. The cost to stripe a
bicycle lane or install a bike rack at a worksite is small when compared to
improving roadways and building more parking.

The Cross County Connection bicycle facilities project examines the county and
municipal bicycle facilities network specifically for commuting purposes. Given
the increased awareness of, and interest in, bicycling as a commute alternative,
Cross County Connection decided to inventory bicycle facilities throughout
southern New Jersey. Given the size of Cross County Connection’s seven county
service area, the work has been conducted over several years and through two
phases.

The term “bicycle facility”, as used in Cross County Connection’s reports,


denotes improvements and provisions made by public agencies to accommodate
or encourage bicycling and shared roadways not specifically designated for
bicycle use. Existing facilities are those facilities that have already been built and
are officially designated as a bike route through signage and/or pavement
striping. Proposed facilities are those facilities that are proposed, but not
necessarily funded, or pending construction.

The primary goal of the Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis reports is to
inventory the existing and proposed bicycle facilities in the seven southern
counties. These reports also indentified gaps in the existing bicycle network and
ranked and prioritized those proposed facilities that should be given priority for
construction. Finally, Cross County Connection has indentified potential sources
of funding to construct the highest ranked proposed facilities in order to assist the
municipalities and counties to close the gaps in the regional bicycle facilities
network.

Cross County Connection 1 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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METHODOLOGY

To inventory commuter oriented bicycle facilities in each county, Cross County


Connection surveyed each municipality and county, the South Jersey
Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO) and the Delaware Valley
Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). Data was collected on the location of
the bicycle facility, its name, status (existing or proposed), type (on-road or off
road) and its length. Cross County Connection input the collected data into its
Geographical Information System (GIS) software and created municipal and
county maps showing all facilities for which data was collected.

Municipal data was cross-referenced with the NJ Department of Transportation’s


(NJDOT) New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, 2004, as well as
county and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) plans. Priority was given
to municipal-reported facilities. If a facility was reported by a municipality, it
superseded DVRPC, SJTPO or NJDOT data. The facilities were grouped into
four categories, as follows:

• Existing facilities
o On-road
o Off-road
• Proposed facilities
o On-road
o Off-road

Cross County Connection created attribute tables as well as county and


municipal maps of facilities. Once the inventory was finalized and mapped, Cross
County Connection was able to identify gaps in each county’s bicycle network as
well as gaps between counties. Cross County Connection undertook Phase II of
this project; the gap and prioritization analysis. To identify those bicycle facilities
that should be built in the near future, Cross County Connection developed a set
of ranking criteria and applied each criterion to the bicycle facility inventory. The
purpose of ranking criteria is to determine which facilities are most suitable for
commuter usage. The ranking criteria are as follows:

1. Proximity to commuter roadways


2. Number of New Jersey TRANSIT bus routes within two miles
3. Proximity to business parks
4. Number of schools within two miles

During each phase of the project, the municipalities, counties and MPOs were
sent preliminary findings (maps and tables) and asked to comment. All
comments received were incorporated into the final reports. The inventories and
analysis took place between 2004 and 2008.

Cross County Connection 2 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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INVENTORY FINDINGS

The following is a brief summary of inventory findings for each county. For
detailed inventory findings, as well as the analysis, including the gap analysis
and facilities recommended for construction, please see the full report for each
county. The complete inventory and analysis reports, including maps, for each
county can be viewed on the Cross County Connection website at
www.driveless.com.

Burlington and Camden Counties

In June 2004, Cross County Connection completed the Burlington and Camden
Counties Bicycle Facilities report. During the winter of 2003, all 77 municipalities
in the two counties were surveyed to obtain the needed information. Cross
County Connection found 37 municipalities had existing and proposed facilities
suitable for commuting. These facilities represented 390 segments totaling
approximately 429 miles, as follows:

Burlington County:
o 313 segments over 362.7 miles.
ƒ Existing facilities: 196 segments over 126.1 miles
ƒ Proposed facilities: 117 segments over 236.6 miles

Camden County:
• 77 segments over 66.4 miles.
o Existing facilities: 46 segments over 32.6 miles
o Proposed facilities: 31 segments over 33.8 miles

Cross County Connection 3 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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Burlington and Camden Counties: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2003

Source: Cross County Connection, Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis: Burlington and
Camden Counties, June 2004.

In February 2008, Cross County Connection updated the 2003 inventory by


surveying the 77 municipalities in Burlington and Camden Counties. The two
counties have experienced a significant increase in the existing and proposed
bicycle facilities in the five years since the original inventory was undertaken.
The updated survey found an 84% increase in the number of municipalities (68)
reporting existing and/or proposed facilities suitable for commuting. These
facilities represent 622 segments totaling approximately 726 miles. The updated
inventory shows the number of segments has increased by 59.5% to 622
between 2003 and 2008. Additionally, the number of miles of existing and
proposed segments has increased by 69% from 429 miles to 726 miles, during
the five year period.

Cross County Connection 4 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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Burlington County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2008

Source: Cross County Connection, Bicycle Facilities Inventory: Burlington County, August 2008.

Cross County Connection 5 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
_______________________________________________________________________

Camden County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2008

Source: Cross County Connection, Bicycle Facilities Inventory: Camden County, August 2008.

Cross County Connection 6 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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Burlington County experienced a large increase in bicycle facilities segments and


miles by adding 153 facilities to its current inventory, totaling approximately 196
miles. These new segments represent an increase in bicycle facility miles of
approximately 54% since 2003.

Camden County has added 79 new facilities to its inventory, totaling


approximately 102 miles. These new miles represent an increase in bicycle
facility miles of approximately 153% from 2003.

Burlington County:
• Existing facilities: 267 segments over 227.2 miles
• Proposed facilities: 199 segments over 331.1 miles

Camden County:
• Existing facilities: 69 segments over 50.5 miles
• Proposed facilities: 87 segments over 117.6 miles

Bicycle Facilities Inventory


Burlington and Camden Counties, 2003-2008

Percent Increase
2003 Inventory 2008 Inventory
County 2003-2008
Segments Miles Segments Miles Segments Miles
Burlington County 313 362.7 466 558.3 48.9% 53.9%
Camden County 77 66.4 156 168.1 102.6% 153.2%

Cross County Connection 7 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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Atlantic County

In December 2005, Cross County Connection completed the Atlantic County


Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis report. During the winter of 2004, the 23
municipalities in Atlantic County were surveyed to obtain the needed information.
Cross County Connection found all 23 municipalities had existing and proposed
facilities suitable for commuting. These facilities represent 68 segments totaling
approximately 250 miles as follows:

• Existing facilities
o 22 segments over 37 miles
• Proposed facilities
o 46 segments over 213 miles

Atlantic County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2005

Source: Cross County Connection, Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis: Atlantic County,
December 2005.

Cross County Connection 8 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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Gloucester County

In June 2005, Cross County Connection completed the Gloucester County


Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis report. During the fall of 2004, all 24
municipalities were surveyed to obtain the needed information. Cross County
Connection found 14 municipalities had existing and proposed facilities suitable
for commuting. These facilities represent 40 segments totaling approximately 82
miles:

• Existing facilities
o 12 over 12.2 miles
• Proposed facilities
o 28 over 69.6 miles

Gloucester County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2005

Source: Cross County Connection, Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis: Gloucester County,
June 2005.

Cross County Connection 9 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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Salem County

In June 2007, Cross County Connection completed the Salem County Bicycle
Facilities Inventory and Analysis report. During the fall of 2005 and winter of
2006, all 15 municipalities were surveyed to obtain the needed information.
Cross County Connection found 14 municipalities had existing and proposed
facilities suitable for commuting. These facilities represent 35 segments totaling
approximately 122 miles:

• Existing facilities
o 13 segments over 6.8 miles
• Proposed facilities
o 22 segments over 114.7 miles

Salem County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2006

Source: Cross County Connection, Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis: Salem County, June
2007.

Cross County Connection 10 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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Cumberland County

In December 2007, Cross County Connection completed the Cumberland County


Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis report. During the fall of 2005 and
winter of 2006, Cumberland County’s 14 municipalities were surveyed to obtain
the needed information. Cross County Connection found all 14 municipalities had
existing and proposed facilities suitable for commuting. These facilities represent
73 segments totaling approximately 191 miles:

• Existing facilities
o 42 segments over 75.4 miles
• Proposed facilities
o 31 segments over 115.8 miles

Cumberland County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2006

Source: Cross County Connection, Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis: Cumberland
County, December 2007.

Cross County Connection 11 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
_______________________________________________________________________

Cape May County

In May 2008, Cross County Connection completed the Cape May County Bicycle
Facilities Inventory and Analysis report. During the spring of 2007, all 16
municipalities were surveyed to obtain the needed information. Cross County
Connection found 15 municipalities had existing and proposed facilities suitable
for commuting. These facilities represent 52 segments totaling approximately 119
miles:

• Existing facilities
o 28 segments over 39.5 miles
• Proposed facilities
o 24 segments over 79.3 miles

Cape May County: Bicycle Facilities Inventory, 2007

Source: Cross County Connection, Bicycle Facilities Inventory and Analysis: Cape May County,
May 2008.

Cross County Connection 12 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
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SUMMARY

The emphasis of Cross County Connection’s bicycle facilities inventory and


analysis project is to encourage the use of bicycle commuting by building a
bicycle network in southern New Jersey. As the table below and the maps in this
report demonstrate, southern New Jersey has an extensive bicycle network
system planned. Once completed, the seven counties’ bicycle network will
include approximately 1,500 miles of bicycle facilities which will be available to
commuters (recreational and closed-looped facilities were not included in this
analysis). However, at the present time only 30% of this network has been
completed.

Bicycle Facilities Inventory by County


Southern New Jersey
Existing Facilities Proposed Facilities Total Facilities Date of Data
County Segments Miles Segments Miles Segments Miles Collection
Atlantic 22 37.0 46 213.0 68 250.0 2005
Burlington 267 227.2 199 331.1 466 558.3 2003; updated 2008
Camden 69 50.5 87 117.6 156 168.1 2003; updated 2008
Cape May 28 39.5 24 79.3 52 118.8 2007
Cumberland 42 75.4 31 115.8 73 191.2 2006
Gloucester 12 12.2 28 69.6 40 81.8 2005
Salem 13 6.8 22 114.7 35 121.5 2006
Total 453 448.6 437 1041.1 890 1489.7

Source: Cross County Connection inventory of bicycle facilities by county. For a copy of each
county report contact Cross County Connection or visit www.driveless.com

Cross County Connection’s work identifies, through the ranking and prioritization
analyses, those facilities that have the highest potential to fill in the gaps in the
region’s bicycle network. Given the limited amount of financial resources
available to build bicycle facilities, the ranking and prioritization analyses should
be useful in determining which facilities should be given priority for construction
funding.

The bicycle facilities inventory will be updated periodically to reflect changes


made at the local and county levels. The updated inventories will be available on
Cross County Connection’s website. Cross County Connection is available to
provide technical assistance to the counties and municipalities that have
proposed bicycle facilities recommended for construction in the county reports.

Given the limited financial resources available for construction projects, it is


hoped that the Cross County Connection Bicycle Facilities Inventory and
Analysis reports will enable the region to implement those projects that will have

Cross County Connection 13 September 2008


Bicycle Facilities: Summary Report
_______________________________________________________________________

the most benefit to the region-wide bicycle network. Bicycle commuting


represents a viable alternative to the single occupant vehicle. Its potential to
reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, especially when linked with
public transit is significant.

Cross County Connection 14 September 2008

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