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W Hartsdale Ave dangerous for cyclists...need shoulders or sidewalks
Release Date: May 23, 2016
On Sunday I bicycled up and down West Hartsdale Ave. Over the years I have asked New York State (W Hartsdale Ave is a NYS road, not a town road) to either build sidewalks on the Ave or widen the shoulders.
After riding up and down the avenue this weekend - I am convinced that NYS is making a big safety mistake not addressing this quality of life concern. Cars were driving very fast both ways. Because there is either no shoulder on the avenue or a very small shoulder at sections of the road some cars came within inches of hitting me when I was on my bicycle. It was scary! I was not the only cyclist on the road.
As you will note from viewing the attached photo I took - the road and small shoulder are not even. If cars are going very fast and if a cyclist has to quickly get to the shoulder - the rider could easily fall off the bicycle. At the minimum I suggest that the pavements be even. I will be contacting NYS and sharing the photo I took with them.
A sidewalk or shoulder on W Hartsdale Ave would be a major quality of life enhancement for residents of W Hartsdale Ave and for surrounding neighborhoods. Commuters would be able to finally walk or bicycle to the train station--which could also reduce traffic congestion and commuter parking shortages. I have written to them over the years ---this is very important. Won't give up. Do you share my concerns? Let me know.
TWO NEW SIDEWALK POSSIBILITIES FOR 2017
Bicycled up and down Juniper Hill Road on Sunday --a road that connects to the Lee Jackson School. A need to make this road pedestrian friendly. And, attended the Longview (Edgemont) civic association Wheels event (children bicycle, skateboard on Longview). Residents asked for follow up action--sidewalk on Fort Hill from Longview to Underhill (side of street Central Ave is located on). agree that these two sidewalks should be prioritized for 2017. Sidewalks are expensive. Hope to include funding for additional sidewalks in capital budget annually. Also- hope that the federal government will soon provide local governments with funding so we could do more. This year 3 major new sidewalks being built: Seely, Ft Hill Road (from Ardsley Road to Highland), Sprain Road. We received CDBG funds to build a sidewalk on Secor in Hartsdale near the low income housing to Saw Mill River Road. And, smaller sidewalks are being built around town (about 3 miles of new sidewalks).
PAUL FEINER
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