TOWN OF TONAWANDA, NY (WKBW) — New bike lanes have been installed for cyclists along a section of Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda. But not everyone agrees about how it was done.
On the stretch of Sheridan Drive between Belmont and East Park, you will notice new bike lanes. Town of Tonawanda Police Captain Joseph Milosich took to Facebook, warning there will be some "growing pains" to "keep everyone safe."
"Cyclists out there – please – please – please be visible," pleaded Captain Milosich. "Be predictable, know your routes, be extra cautious at the intersections. Motorists, monitor your speed. Avoid distractions – please – please – please."
Supervisor Joe Emminger tells me it's part of a "road diet" the town agreed to for Sheridan Drive, but said they never agreed to the way it was done. He said they don't feel it is safe enough for cyclists.
"We're not in favor of this, and the town board was unanimous about that. There wasn't anybody on the town board who thought it was a proper thing to do," he said. "We believe there should be some barriers between the pedestrians and bicyclists and the vehicles that are going to be going 40-45 miles an hour."
The DOT sent me a statement that the goal is to connect the Empire State Trail between Sheridan Park and the Tonawanda Rails to Trails, and it was requested by the town. The DOT said these new bike lanes meet all federal and state safety standards, but will continue to monitor for safety purposes.
“The State Department of Transportation is committed to enhancing safety and expanding opportunities for all modes of transportation, including walking and biking, in the Town of Tonawanda. The department is currently putting the finishing touches on a project on Sheridan Drive to connect the Empire State Trail between Sheridan Park and Tonawanda Rails to Trails, and the new project includes designated bike lanes and a multi-use path along a segment of the road, along with traffic calming measures. We look forward to officially completing the project in the very near future.”
NYSDOT
WATCH: 'Time will tell about the safety': New bike lanes on section of Sheridan Drive cause controversy
Emminger also responded to those who are critical and blame the town for the way the project was conducted.
"We made public last year…at a town board meeting," Emminger said. "It was very transparent. We were very vocal about it. People don't pay attention to the town board meetings."
Kevin Heffernan, with GObike, tells me he's thrilled to see the bike lanes, but it doesn't go far enough to protect bike riders.
"It's the bare minimum. It could be a bit better. Cyclists everywhere know that protection with some concrete would be ideal. It is expensive, so what was built here is really infrastructure for the most experienced and most confident cyclists," he said.
Heffernan explained that bike lanes were in the Town of Tonawanda's 2014 Comprehensive Plan.
"Time will tell about the safety. That's all I can tell you," cyclist Mike Saccomanno said.
I talked to a couple of cyclists along the bike path who said they don't plan to use the new lanes on Sheridan Drive.
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"I’m not a big fan of riding my bike on busy roads, and a bike lane obviously makes it way safer, but it still just doesn't call to me," cyclist Margaret Root said.
"Would you use it?" Buckley asked. "Probably not, just because this is so much better," Root replied as she pointed to the path.
