Officials from Bernardsville Borough partnered with RideWise and the Somerset County Department of Planning, Policy and Economic Development to conduct a walkability audit along sections of Old Army Road and Mullens Lane. The audit was in response to the public expressing concerns about pedestrian safety on Old Army Road at recent Borough Council meetings, citing heavy, fast-moving traffic and a lack of sidewalks. Many residents feel it’s dangerous for their children to walk to school along this road, despite living in a walking district and on a street near local schools.
Bernardsville Mayor Mary Jane Canose, Councilwoman Christine Zamarra, and Sergeant Timothy Richard joined RideWise and Somerset County Planner Adam Bradford to walk along Old Army Road and Mullens Lane to evaluate barriers to pedestrians and brainstorm ways to make the corridor more pedestrian-friendly. Alongside the audit, RideWise is running a public outreach component, surveying Bernardsville residents on the barriers to walking they encounter throughout the borough. Residents can either complete paper checklists of barriers or place points on an interactive online map of areas they feel are unsafe for pedestrians. After collecting public feedback, RideWise will write a report on the audit results and surveys.
To learn more about the Bernardsville walkability study or to conduct a similar study in your community, email staff@ridewise.org.
