We urge Nassau County to include 4-foot shoulders and a paved pedestrian walkway along West Shore Road between Oyster Bay and Bayville. At a minimum, the inclusion of these features would improve the environment for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Unfortunately, the County is reluctant to include these safety measures in the West Shore Road reconstruction, which will be funded with your tax dollars. We need your help to keep the pressure on!
Facts
- West Shore Road’s Accident Rate is 400% greater than the average accident rate of New York State two-lane roads. (source: Nassau County and NY State accident report data 2009-2011)
- West Shore Road has average daily traffic of over 10,000 vehicles per day, yet fails to meet the New York State minimum safety requirements for roads with average minimum daily traffic of only 400 vehicles. (Source: NY State Department of Transportation Design Criteria)
Please sign the petition to the right and comment on this important issue below. Motorists cannot maneuver around pedestrians or cyclists without safe, wide shoulders.
Well, I see that beautiful hedges have been sacrificed for nothing. I truly hope that a safer, well-built Shore Road is completed soon for the benefit of the people who live there, the people who travel on that road, and for the use of cyclists as well. But I loved the hedges and find it tragic that they would be eliminated for nothing.
The County’s efforts on this road are a joke. No committment for a bike path. Minimal hedge removal. The only shining light was the beauty fully revealed by moving the utilities underground and removing the poles. Now the County has started installing a prison like guardrail. This rail is 5′ tall and totally obscures any view of the Bay. I guess the well heeled residents of Mill Neck have spoken.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic0pGcgjiK4
WSR Update: We were driving through the area yesterday, and I rolled some tape and made a video. Wonderful Sight to Behold! – There was a Dump ruck, with it’s crew, picking up the remnants of the Hedge Row, between Cleft Road and the Driveway. The Line-of-Sight is opened up, so you can see cars coming, when you are Southbound. I will post a second video and some still-photos (jpgs).
PS-Word is that 700 feet of 2000 feet of Seawall has been replaced.
Judging by only 1,200+ signatures it obviously most do not want this. I live here and would more than welcome it but there is not a chance in this world that any of those residents along that road will allow that to happen! They even think they own the other side of the road to the water! This is what you are dealing with here! Good Luck. LoL
No one said it would be easy,even if have you New York Sate DOT on your side.With 10,000 vechicles traveling on WSR daily,the road requires four foot shoulders! AT least the county started to cut down the hedgegrows on the westside of WSR this week.
West Shore Road Update, from page 3 of the Locust Valley Leader, has some interesting facts:
WSR is open from Cleft road, south, (we know that),
2. An Access and staging area has been constructed at Beekman Beach, so PLEASE USE CAUTION.
3. Nassau County and New York State are paying for Phase I.
4. Nassau County is applying for FEMA funding to cover Phase III.
5. State of New York will receive funds from the Federal Highway Grant.
6. All Utilities have been placed UNDERGROUND. The poles are gone!
7. New Storm Drains have been installed (with those new filter devices, to protect the Bay).
8. Over 150 feet of Seawall has been completed.
9. Village of Mill Neck is installing STOP Signs on Cleft Road.
PLEASE USE CAUTION when Biking West Shore Road. The pavement has been torn up, and you may be riding on dirt, rocks, etc.
Seawall at the soundside of Centre Island causeway is STILL IN GREAT SHAPE. Its a sheet metal wall, with boulders. Interestingly, the walk/riding path between the seawall and the road’s guardrail is rather wide. The roadside guardrail vertical supports go directly into the ground and don’t take up any room in the walkway. Looks like they had pedestrians in mind!
Hi John: Thanks for staying on top of the construction review. I’m wondering WHO and HOW are MEASURING as the road wall is installed. Measuring from WHAT REFERENCE POINT? Will we be left with “whatever” is left as a roadway??
John: I think you deserve a walk-through of the progress, measurements, reference points, residents grasses and hedges into the roadway. Call the Mayor of Bayville and Mill Neck and request a group walk through with a DPW or GC person who has the answers to these questions, determined before the walk-through date that this GC representative will have such answers.
The Army Corps approved plans really only went into detail on the wall structure itself, NOT ON WHERE IT WILL BE PLACED AND THE SURVEYED MEASUREMENTS AND WIDTH OF ROADWAY, WALK PATH.
Agreed – I’ve seen old pictures of the road (probably from the 20s or 30s) before hedges and trees were planted (or in the case of some of the trees just allowed to grow where they are) and I find it hard to believe that people’s property lines go directly to the edge of the pavement. Some of those hedges hang out OVER the (ahem) shoulder. With all due respect to MN home owners – I think they were just allowed to do whatever they wished. And that may have been some sort of response to the fight in the early 60s that prevented Robert Moses from building an access point to his infamous bridge to CT (as well as a Soundside Parkway).
Another Ambulance call , for another car accident on West Shore Road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz553xCvOo0
This is again , more prof that WSR is dangerous, not just for cyclists, but automobiles as well.
Well, I checked for myself, and the barrier at Cleft Road has been removed. The traffic lights are not in service though, and the portion of WSR North of Cleft rd. is still closed. But be warned, there is motor vehicle traffic on the South part of WSR, from Cleft rd. to Mill Hill rd.
The barrier at Mill Hill rd. is still in place, with an opening just wide enough for one car.
Last night I heard someone say that the stretch of West Shore Road between Mill Hill Road and Cleft Road HAS been Re-Opened for traffic. (as of Friday, 25 January, 2013)
Can anyone confirm this rumor?
I was just over there on Saturday (1/26) and it’s still blocked off with a small opening for locals. I would think they would remove the barriers if it was open to traffic.
But we can’t afford it…. WSR could be an incredible public amenity. A recreational multi-use trail connecting Centre Island Beach Park, and Teddy Roosevelt Park—two of the areas gems—would boost tourism and local property values, and could be almost entirely funded with state and federal grants, but Ed Mangano isn’t interested. Sad…
https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/srts/funding
One addition to KM’s response. Let’s get a real look at where the private property lines meet the County line on the west side of Shore Rd. I would not doubt that there is serious encroachment on that side. There may be plenty of room on the west side as well to accomodate a pedestrian/bike/roller blade lane.
My Plan : wack all the trees on the east side (so you actually see the water) , bury all cables and power lines, build one continuous seawall have two lanes for motor vehicles ,shoulder on each side and a wide pedestrian/bicycle path. never happen to much common sense
They say that there is a silver lining to every cloud. The silver lining to the Sandy Storm cloud is that West Shore Road is now open to pedestrians and cyclists, and is acting like one big bike path. I’ve been riding it back and forth between Centre Island and Oyster Bay for weeks, and it is a wonderful ride. So whether we succeed at achieving our objective or not, of getting the powers to be to include a permanent bike path, get out there now and enjoy the ride while you can!
A counter to “Anonymous”: West Shore Road should be closed to motorists on weekends! The amount of pedestrian and cyclist traffic on the road now, post-Sandy, shows how popular this would be. Of course this will never happen, but it would be nice. Better, however, would be a viable multi-use trail on the bay side of the roadway. There used to be a sidewalk there, that is now in such a sorry state of disrepair that it is not useable. A bike trail that would connect Centre Island Beach Park with Teddy Roosevelt Park would provide the kind of recreational amenity that would raise property values in the area. It’s asinine to not include such a trail in the master plan, especially with additional federal disaster funding available for the project.
Good idea. its done up in Westchester on the henry Hudson. or maybe close in one direction…..
If anyone has taken the opportunity to walk or ride along West Shore Road now that it has been closed to vehicular traffic, it is clear to see the importance of building a pedestrian path to ensure safety of all who wish to take in the magnificence of this special vista.
Having said that, I understand that the damaged section of the roadbed is to be repaired at a cost of 8 million dollars. This section was scheduled to be the 2nd phase of the reconstruction project. Does anyone have privy to the scope of the repair work to be done? Is this money additional taxpayer funds to put a bandaid on the road adding to the overall cost of the project? (thus bringing the total cost, sans cost overruns and misc. expenses that seem to creep in to projects, to $38 Mil.) Not sure how this work is tying in to the final outcome for this POTENTIALLY magnificent thoroughfare.
This is an attempt to get educated on the subject!!! Please advise, Thank you.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q119/hotbike/Westshoreroad_old.jpg
I have obtained permission from the Locust Valley Historical Society to use this picture. Way w-a-y- back in time, before the seawall was built, it looks like horse drawn wagons rode on the beach. This photo must have been taken from Beekman Beach.
So the debate goes on. Motorists seem to be threatening Cyclists with Murder, as usual. Cyclists, whose bicycles aren’t nearly half the width of the Motorists cars, just want the road a little wider.
I hope you can see the old-time photograph, which shows horse drawn wagons on West Shore Road.
Well, now is the time to try and get the bike path included…and it may be too late. I have seen references to a “three phase project” but have not yet found what the last two phases are. Anyone who has walked or biked the now closed Shore road has had a taste of how nice it would be to be able to do so without fear of getting clipped by a fast moving truck, i plan on going out there again today. For the County not at least make a real and honest effort to accomodate bikes is just plain stupid. Time to mobilize a bigger campaign. And what’s with the comments about Spanish speaking peoples?
Seriously? If plight of workers is offensive to you, take them out of harm’s way by creating a van service between Bayville and Oyster Bay.
http://cyclingincities.spph.ubc.ca/injuries/the-bice-study/
Good work. I’m going to get the police report.
The town is not mentioned in the emails and it took me a while to figure out the town. Agree with above I am in favor once I figured it out.
For anyone to spend 30 million dollars on SHORE Road without a bike path and shoulder is one of the most uninformed and uneducated decisions I have ever heard about. The legislators who are this decision should find a job that they are smart enough to handle. Shore Road NEEDS a shoulder and bike path, PERIOD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzJwPe0JmCg
Another Car Wreck on West Shore Road , Audio from the Oyster Bay Fire Dept. (9 seconds)
Just 32 hours after the previous wreck.
C’mon, let’s get rid of the hedges and widen the shoulder!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeZGVt1P54c
Here is a recording of an Ambulance Call, by the Oyster Bay Fire Department, for anyone who wants to hear it. On West Shore Road, between Cleft Road and Mill Hill Road (16 seconds).
Leonard Kurkowski
About 30 years ago I was a passenger in my wifes’ VW Beetle reading the paper when I heard her scream, felt the car hit a bump, looked out the rear window and saw a cyclist rolling entwined in his twisted bike. This cyclist was riding on the edge of the pavement because THERE IS NO SHOULDER when he hit a pavement seam that sent him sprawling across the road right in front our car. My wife had no where to go because there was a car coming head on in the opposite direction. The two passenger side wheels rolled over the bikers mid section and the driver side wheels just scrapped the top of his helmit. Lucky for all of us we were driving a VW bug because he only suffered a broken nose! Had we driven a larger car he might not have been so fortunate. My wife suffered from the thoughts of this incident for over a month. I still find it hard to believe that since that time nothing has been done to improve the safety of that highway. All government personnel responsible for the execution of this project should embarassed and held accountable for any future bike incidents if a bike path is omitted. NOW IS THE TIME!!! Be responsible!!!
Thanks for the detailed example Len. Its about motorists and safety!, not just bicyclist enjoyment!
This example, though dated, provides good support to the views that bicycles should be banned from West Shore Road.
I would like to see a separated lane / walkway for bikers – not just a shoulder. There has to be some type of barrier or you risk the type of accident which happened to a biker (on a bike path) by the Wantagh Parkway. The bay is beautiful and healthy activity such as biking and walking by it should be encouraged. I do NOT bike or walk there because it is currently unsafe. I bike or walk in NYC on Sundays in Central Park because the roads are closed to vehicular traffic. What a joy!
While driving on West Shore Road today, as I do every day, the truck in front on me was so large that it had to drive at 20 MPH, as it rode over the double yellow line,(an infraction of the law) on numerous occasions.The driver appeared to be driving to the best of his/her ability, however the encroaching shrubbery on the west portion of the road is so overgrown that it covers the white line that defines the lane. This results in the driver having drive over the double yellow line or risk damage to the vehicle. God forbid someone was walking or riding there!!! To further exasperate the problem we all face daily,,the train tressel was raised an additional 2′ to allow larger vehicles to navigate an already dangerous road. Our officials, who are elected by us, to represent us, need to do the right thing by us. There is an opportunity for them to make a difference, and the final decision will be a statement on their priorities. As voters we need to have our voices heard, we hired them, they need votes to keep their jobs, so please spread the word!
Thank you Jake. John Q
Write to Mangano’s office!!
thank you I just did. Our county executive should here from us all!!!
I ride my mountain bike on Shore Rd every weekend on the southbound lane. There are dangerous potholes on the side of the street. A slip accident can become fatal in a second, even with very courteous drivers around – there is just no room for error. A driver with a boat trailer almost clipped me once and I had to get so far out of the way I brushed against the trees. I swear I wanted to catch up with him and beat the heck out of him. I didn’t memorize the license plates. Then again, maybe he’s just a poor driver and there are a LOT of poor drivers and new teenage drivers who are just a menace. Politicians suck. Just widen the road and make it a safer place for everyone.
Write to Mangano’s office. Send your notice of road safety specifics, by certified mail only, to the Office of the County Attorney, One West Street, Mineola.
A bike lane is a win-win situation for all. Cyclists have a safe place to ride and motorists don’t have to be slowed down behind cyclists. If the people who are preventing a bike lane from happening are doing so to keep out an ethnic group, I am completely appalled. That is extremely selfish and inhumane to sacrifice the safety of everyone for bigotry.
I drive this route often and find the encounters with bikers dangerous. A bike route is absolutely needed from a safety and astetic perspective.
I believe when this road was saved from the OB/Rye bridge disaster that the roadway was not allowed to be extended or altered. If so,the answer is to canterlever the top on the existing roadway footprint. This would not change the agreement, but allow for enough width to accomidate a bike path. How many bikers and motorests will be saved accidents and injury with this smart plan?
If we allow this opportunity to pass without a more intellegent design, it may be generations before we have the opportunity again. Necessary and very doable.
Why can’t people just ride their bikes somewhere else? It is already difficult to drive along a tight two lane road which is often occupied by school buses. Just ride your bikes elsewhere which is more safe.
Because when you are in Bayville, Oyster Bay IS “somewhere else”, and when you are in Oyster Bay, Bayville is “somewhere else”. People have to get from point A to point B. What if you live in Bayville, and you have to get to the Long island Rail Road station in Oyster Bay? Bayville has no Bus service, and the train doesn’t go to Bayville either.
People ride bikes to get where they have to go. The lack of Bike Lanes has been an issue since 1935, which was before you were born.
Even if one left their bike at home and decided to walk, they would find there is No Sidewalk on West Shore Road, either. But please note that a bicycle is five times faster than walking, at the same level of effort.
Yes, West Shore Road is a “connector” road, with over 10,000 cars a day!! In 2006 a traffic study of the Bayville Bridge clocked an average 11,000 cars/DAY taken during a two-week period in DECEMBER!!!
Complete Streets for New York State
Status: Passed
Bill Number:
A8366
S5411
Highway Law § 331
Level: NY State Legislature
Take Action:
Sponsor(s):
Assemblymember David Gantt
State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.
Press:
Campaign(s):
Vision Zero
Walkable Communities
Growing Bicycling
This bill will ensure that New York State roadways are built for all users: bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and passengers, motorists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The legislation recognizes that bicyclists and pedestrians are integral to New York’s transportation system.
This legislation would require bicycle and pedestrian accommodations to be included in the planning and development of state, county, and local transportation facilities, plans, and programs. Accommodations would include, but not be limited to, bicycle lanes, lane striping, and paved shoulders suitable for use by bicyclists, share the road signage, crosswalks, pedestrian control signals, sidewalks, curb cuts, and ramps.
Several times I have tried to trim, cut, hack or chop the annoying hedges that line the South end of West Shore Road. Last time was Memorial Day 2010, when a Nassau County Police Officer told me I couldn’t do that. He wasn’t concerned about the detriment to the hedges, he was concerned I was blocking traffic.
Yet I was no further out in traffic than if I had been moving. The Officer told me I should “Take the Lane”, but there being no shoulder, there’s not much choice.
Those hedges are awful and should be trimmed. The branches take away at least nine inches of Roadway, to the left of the white fog-line, never-mind the shoulder.
It’s going to take Lopping Shears, capable of cutting branches up to two inches in diameter, and the hedges need to be cut down to the ground.
West Shore Road is often used year to year for the Annual Ocen To Sound Relay close to Theodore Roosevelt Park. This road is heavilly used by cyclists, runners, and the like, so it is extremely imperative that a decent-sized bike lane be built for the safety of all sportsa enthusiasts. What are we waiting for, as history has repeated itself, another hit-and-run, fatality, or accident, in order for this project to take off, lets get on board and and work together, we only have one life to live, one shot, make it a good one!
you definately need a bike lane for the future and safety
kenneth tob
As a rider that crosses this area and feel unsafe with the cars, I would appreciate a safe bike lane included in the plans.
Perhaps you could obtain from Nassau DPW and post to this site the entire set of plans (and scope/phases) so people can see and assess this project in it’s entirety.
Notwithstanding the obvious need for pedestrian/cyclist lane(s), I noticed in the posted plan that a pre-cast gravity wall is to be constructed. This flat-faced seawall will go the way of the existing walls; into the bay. New hydro-dynamic designs incorporate the use of concave walls with boulders at its base to mute the force and energy of wave-thrust and wave run-up. Hence significantly increasing the durability and life of the seawall while decreasing maintenance and flooding. There are projects worldwide that utlilize these designs – maybe DPW and ACOE need to revisit their design(s).
There is finite “room” to work with, however, with proper, thoughtful planning and design, with the input from all parties, a viable solution can be realized. It’s not to late to go back to the drawing board (providing our political leaders step up to the plate). Maybe a little more listening from the politicos and Nassau DPW, et. Al.
Some may say you “can’t” do this or that -usually that means they “won’t”. Those people are part of the problem. There is nothing we cannot achieve when we work together. Want proof – take a look at the 18 miles of levees and floodgates constructed in record time in New Orleans. Or take a walk on the beach in Oyster Bay or Bayville one night, look up at the moon and contemplate THAT acheivement.
Regardless whether you are for or against a pedestrian/cyclist lane(s), the fact of the matter remains people are and will continue to walk and cycle along Shore road. Commonsense compels that there be accomodations. The video says it all.
You are spot on. Call John and help the team!
My street is Lexington Ave., Oyster Bay, NY. Would love nothing more than a bike path along it and every roadway in Nassau County. Thanks for the idea of getting me started on this Anonymous. Would make cycling safer, and yes, DRIVING easier. I’ll even share it with those lowly people who incredibly can’t even afford a car. Thankfully, we don’t all need to live in a glass bubble.
It`s 30 million for the entire project! John Q
After being struck on my bike and thrown over the hood of a car last month in Oyster Bay I now more than ever realize the importance of a pedestrian bike/walk way. Almost every time I ride on Shore Road a driver in their great haste will cut it way too close while passing, or even try to bully me off the road. For those reasons I have pretty much eliminated WSR and Bayville from most of my rides.
What is really sad here is the economic stranglehold that small road has on Bayville. As an Oyster Bay resident and bike rider I can safely say I have spent less than $5.00 in Bayville in the past 10 years. Instead I bike my business to Glen Cove, Syosset, Cold Spring Harbor, and Huntington where I may buy a cold beverage or eat a light lunch. I think a lot of the bikers on this site will tell of similar experiences. I think it would be helpful to bring some Bayville businesses into the conversation. It seems unfair that Bayville businesses should be held hostage from pedestrian traffic by a few but apparently influential waterfront property owners on WSR.
I also suspect a few extra bikes and a few less cars would be preferred by the hypersensitive wildlife in the area. Not sure the specific concerns of the few hypersensitive residents opposing this other than the vague comments I have seen above and elsewhere.
In response to the statement that some West Shore Road residents do not want a bike path across their driveway..
In that case I assume you and your neighbors will not mind flipping the estimated 30 million dollar bill to prevent the road from washing away? Why should I pay for your road that I am not welcome on? Heavens forbid I bike by in a bike lane on my silent, non-polluting road bike. What seems very implied and apparent from your comment is that you do not want to share your million dollar views with non-WSRoad residents. My spandex and heavy breathing might tarnish the “beauty of the area”. Even worse maybe someone will bike by speaking Spanish! The impact on the neighborhood and environment could be disastrous!!! If that is the case I do not want to share my public roads and tax dollars with you. Privatize the road, replace it yourself, or let it wash out to sea. Obviously this is not a real option as many people rely on the road daily who do not live on it but it is something to think about.
Until then, please pass me on my bike when SAFE. That means not on a bend, not squeezing between me and oncoming traffic, and not doing 20MPH over the speed limit. If this adds 1-5 minutes to your commute than too bad it is the law. Check the NYS traffic law website and you will find many of the bike passes committed on Shore Road are illegal and punishable by ticketing.
Having first hand knowledge of the unsafe conditions on West Shore Rd after being struck by a car, it is absurd to imagine a reconstructed road without pedestrian/bike lane.
I have worked for a local police dept for over 35 years and have the following observations:
1. Work on West Shore Rd is long overdue. All the work done in the past has been of a stop gap nature. When the next big hurricane comes, and you know it’s coming, parts of West Shore Rd will be washed away. If I was Bayville resident I would be very concerned about West Shore Rd.
2. It is a dangerous road. There are no shoulders. Drivers have no place to go but straight ahead to avoid an object or another car. You just have to pray it’s not a large suv comig into your lane.
3. Bicyclists put their safety at risk just being on the road. See #2 for reason why.
4.We have one chance to get this right. There should be a path for joggers and cyclists that is safe and well lit. In California so many citiies have these types of setups which only encourage people to be more active. Let’s hope our legislators have the vision do what is right rather than politically correct
For our elected officials not to include access to runners and bicyclist on the reconstruction of West Shore Road demonstrates total disregard for the safety and concern of the area residents. I would think their lack of concern could be considered criminal with the first fatality. It’s only a miracle that we haven’t already experienced a fatality
This is their chance to leave a memorable statement to future generations. We can and must do better than their proposal that ignores the safety of the public.
Way to go John!
West Shore Road Bike Safety
I applaud John Quirk and the other local cyclists from my district (and all over Long Island) who have brought various important issues and ideas to my attention.
They have pointed out that safety measures could be available on West Shore Road that might satisfy cyclists without the need for an actual path. My research with groups like Tri State Transportation Campaign and New York State DOT confirm that there might be some good options.
I ask that the county executive’s administration and Department of Public Works would hold a meeting with me and the Committee for a Safe West Shore Road to explore whatever actions we can take to ensure safety for everyone on West Shore Road.
Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, 18th LD
I think this should be considered only as a fall back position. I think an actual path is what we seek?
http://deliaderiggiwhitton.com/2012/08/24/letter-on-west-shore-road-safety/
To all in favor of a bike path on west shore road, please leave the name of your street so I can petition for a bike path across your driveway as well.
Thank you
Most of the streets on Long Island have driveways. It would be great if you would start a campaign for bike lanes on all of our roads. Thanks for volunteering.
I really don’t get it. Please explain your position more clearly, how does it make your world better to continue a very unsafe situation when we have a chance to change it for the better. I’ve ridden West Shore Road many times in a car and a bike, it has to be one of the most dangerous roads on Long Island. So how is having a few fatalities in front of you house better then making it a safer road? I live in Bayville and use the bike lane on Bayville Ave. and I love it, easy to bike to the post office, supermarket, etc. How can that be bad?
The road in front of my house has no shoulder or sidewalk and lots of people walk and ride their bikes (many children too). What a great idea to get some bike lanes installed here too!
Ivy St. Oyster Bay. We already have a sidewalk. It’s used as a bike path, jogging path, dog and pedestrian walk. Petition away clown.
A multi-purpose (bike/walk) lane is needed and wanted by all.
This will further enhance many of the fine attributes of Long Island.
Dangerous road for cyclists at present. Many speeding cars, narrow road, no shoulder on water side, and tiny shoulder on other side. Can’t think of a road in Nassau more in need of a bike lane.
I would love a path to run! Why aren’t we encouraging fitness and healthy ways here?!
If the government is so concerned about costs for health care, don’t you think a bike path is a way to get more people off of their couches and exercise, in addition to enjoying the beautiful shoreline? People must take care not to litter along the path if we get one. I kayak in the bay, and there is enough floating crap from beach goers and boaters that threathen the fragile wetlands and estuaries. This no litter policy needs to be addressed and strictly enforced, perhaps with recyling containers along the way. Heck, I’ll collect everyone’s Poland Spring bottles for a 5 cent refund!!!
It’s an election year. We need to attend a Town of OB Town Hall meeting en masse. For scheduled meetings:
http://www.oysterbaytown.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BA29ACA93-FB56-463D-8248-7AAAF203FB3C%7D&DE=%7BEF2DE142-4CC4-4579-91F3-B1D29C4FB133%7D
As a resident of Oyster Bay, I want to be able to bike to the beaches in Bayville. If this were built, it would be one of the most beautiful bikeways in all of NY State.
This is one of the most beautiful scenic roads on Long Island. It calls out to be safely enjoyed by bike and foot traffic, and not just by motorists racing from point A to point B.
the views expressed here have been very favorable towards the need and want for a protected pedestrian route along shore road. It’s obvious that there is a real interest for this to happen. My question is, even though the large majority of posts favor this, how can we really make positive strides in having our voices heard and making it come to fruition? The fact that we are showing a growing number of participants is in itself a positive step, but we need to do more. I am not aware of the process, so if someone can offer some direction, it should prove to be beneficial. You have succeeded in what you set out to start John, and I thank you for that. Please keep us updated on the date/time/location of the public meeting you mentioned in your opening lines. The better prepared we are at this meeting, the more serious we will be taken. (I hope). Look forward to hearing feedback on this and keep passing the word as there is power in numbers!!! The politicians are supposed to be working for us, the voters. AUDI VOCEM POPULI !!!
“Marianne Fowler, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy” may be a contact!!! interesting group regardless.
The current situation is a LOT more dangerous to motorists than it is for cyclists, and it is nowhere near safe for the cyclists. Autos SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY of cyclists, and INTO THE PATH OF ONCOMING AUTOS! HELLOOOOOOO?!!!!! The concern should be all-around safety here, not just cyclists. Please don’t sit back and let politician MORONS screw it all up as usual.
A bike/pedestrian path would be brilliant. Tremendous views, promotes exercising (bicycling, running, walking), connecting communities, enjoying nature…lots of benefits…and saving life, limb and property.
Yes, kinda like the Bayside Runners Club pathway along Cross Island Parkway.
Cyclists should be BANNED from West Shore Road. There are other, far safer routes between OB and Bayville. You can build all the bike lanes you want on that road and they will still ride in the road, four abreast, thinking they own the road and not sharing it. Ever notice all these riders arriving by train meeting their bikes at the station? They aren’t even from here! A bike lane will be useless since you have bikes going in both directions! Use your heads folks, the road is too narrow and will never be widened (wetlands and protected shore line).
Well then Anonymous…….Perhaps you should use your head and start your own website banning all cyclists, pedestrians and out of towners from the roadways.
Hi,
I’m Dan from Visentin Bike in Oyster Bay. Have an idea to help tour cause out if tou haven’t done it already. Contact the various bicycle clubs on Long Island. Their are a few touring clubs (L.I.B.C. and more) racing clubs (G.B.S.C. and more) all of which have many people that would acctually use Shore road if it were made safe for cyclists. Also bike shops all thru the Island as well as NYC. This is a tourist area. Don’t just concentrate on the Bayville area.
mountain bike club (C.L.I.M.B.)
Yes and do her plans for safety include a bike lane and pedestrian walkway?
Looks like the possibility of another head on collision is in the making. Did you notice the school bus in the video swerving across the double yellow line?
I had a good friend who was turned into an invalid when he had a headon with an oncoming vehicle because there was no room to turn off. The main opposition seems to come from Mill Neck residents who already have intruded into the right-of-way. As a past mayor of Centre Island and president of Friends of the Bay, supporting a bike patch is a no-brainer
To be clear, Legislator DiRiggi-Whitton did not make this proposal (though the excerpted quote makes it sound as though she did) she is merely relaying what the plan includes. The bill/proposal/plans/funds are from 2009 and have been sitting unused (she took office in Jan of 2012). The inital job was to repair the deteriorating road, which if you look at it from the shoreline is disturbing.
Yes the thing should have been thought out better. But let’s not blame her. I know that she is doing her best to make this road safer.
I would be willing to donate me time as an appraiser if property rights were needed from private property owners to make this happen. It’s a necessity. Ron@appraisalReviewUSA.com
The time is now to build a bike path on West Shore Road!Without a shoulder to safely ride on ,we cyclists face a clear and present danger of being hit by a motor vehicle(especially SUV’s)as they attempt to pass us by.The road is also in disrepair with pot holes and ruts everywhere.
In our organization, safety is our most important goal.
Thank you for your time,
John R Greene
VP/Ride Chairman
Huntington Bicycle Club
I go a visit my dougther to bayville . My wife is scare to death to drive in the car with me for the hazardous road along side the water in this modern world that we live in , make the politicians steal much,,, much less, and help us as human
People walk past MY house everyday….you don’t see me wanting it closed to peds/cyclists and my street is “private”! Shore Rd is “public”!!!
I have written to Delia Deriggi whatever her name is and told her if G-d forbid there is ever an accident involving a cyclist and a car, it will be on her head to live with the rest of her life. She is in a position to do something about the conditions there and she is not resposive to the need.
Steve, her name is Delia DiRiggi- Whitton and I know that this is something that she is trying to move forward on. The original proposal was not hers – it was made in 2009 – and funds and plans were approved then but nothing was done.
Blame the change in Nassau County executive in 2009, his administration & the republican majority legislature who have made it their business to not do anything proposed by any democrat in the county.
Good idea
Roads aren’t just for cars!
A safe path for bicyclists and pedestrians should be a given…Safety should always come first! In this case it would also be good for business, both in Oyster Bay and Bayville, since people who use the path would be likely to eat and shop in the area; it would be good for people’s health since it encourages people to bike and walk; it would be good for the economy because its construction would provide good jobs for out of work Long Islanders. If the government is spending our money, at least spend it on projects that make a difference!
A little reality check here, folks. This road is dangerous even for people in big cars. I would like to see rules enforced regarding safe practice for cyclists. The view is nice, but having cyclists on this road creates a danger for all concerned.
The “real” reality check would be to have the driving rules enforced for the dangerous drivers in the “big cars”. If Manhattan can manage cyclists along the water, there’s no reason why we can’t manage it here.
“Community concern”=elitism and racism. There are many members of our community who only bike and walk to difficult low paying service jobs. I believe there are certain other members of the community who would prefer not to enable this access. I find this really offensive. I hope that this petition has an effect.
Totally agree with Karin. Thanks for posting!
A bike path is needed and so is a pedestrian walkway. If you get a flat or a texter comes into your lane there is no escape to a shoulder. The trees and shrubs need to be set back and trimed regularly.
This project should include a bike and walking path for so many common-sense reasons as well as the complete streets laws that were passed. There really is no downside to building the path and the project should not proceed without them. We already have lost a path over the Robert Moses Causeway bridges for related reasons such as a few homeowners who were afraid bicyclists would stop and spy in their bedroom windows with telescopes at night, or would ride into “their” communities on Fire Island when they had ” no business” being there.
The merits of a bike/walking path along Westshore Road have been touted for several years. The concept has been supported by several local politicians as well as environmental groups such as Friends of the Bay. Unfortunately, the main opposition has come from a handful of homeowners who live along Shore Road and are afraid that it will affect the security of their homes and their property values. It is unfortunate that the voices of a few could negatively impact a project that would promote the health and well-being of so many. I strongly support development of a bicycle/walking path. It would follow along with the benefits of the kayak path recently approved by the town of Oyster Bay. We could all benefit from use of the path.
Would like to see both a bike path and a runners path
YES! I was running on West Shore Road by Bayville Bridge and a biker cursed at me for being in His way!
Lets not make a mess of this like ‘West Harbor Road’ where there is a huge center median and a ‘gutter’ that is also supposed to be the ‘bike’ lane.
You only need to see the people with dogs & baby carriages walking in the ‘bike lane’ and on the new single traffic lane to realized that the designer of that road had never seen it.
I hope its not the same group of idiots that work on this one.
How wonderful a bikepath would be along Shore Road. The road is flat, the scenery is stunning, my family and I would enjoy bike rides together between Oyster Bay and Bayville. Politicians: For a similar bikepath that is immensely popular, look at the Falmouth to Woods Hole, Mass. path, that runs along the water leading to the Martha’s Vineyard Ferry. This bikepath has brought a lot of business to both towns.
Bike/walking trail is long overdue for this beautiful road. Why, when we can afford two astro- turf football fields (Bayville & Oysterbay) we can’t find the resourses for this badly needed path. Newsday quoted a DPW honcho saying that the present shoulder is more than adequate for bikers. What world is he living in? Has he ever been on that road? Maybe some of our local politicians should also jump on a bike and ride this “safe” shoulder instead blowing hot air at us. Some of the signers here say someone will eventually be killed but who will care if it’s only someone that “community concerns” fear of robbery and burglary.(from Enterprise Piolot 8/2) Sounds racist to me. I asume that the path would be the water-side so this would afford some protection from the “peasants” on their bikes.
Turf fields were built by and paid for by the Town of Oyster Bay. The road is a county road and work is being paid for by Nassau County and NYS. One has nothing to do with another.
My husband and I enjoy biking and even though we would like to ride from East Norwich to Bayville, it is not safe to do so. I don’t understand why legislator DeRiggi-Whitton would have a major renovation without this important feature, That would make West Shore Road appealing, while encouraging a healthier lifestyle.I don’t know what the “community concern” would be, and I wonder what would it take to make a safe bike path? A fatality on that road????
I avoid running/cycling on this road because it’s just too dangerous right now. A bike/run path would be a welcome addition!
I just came back from San Luis Obispo, CA. Every single street has a designated bike lane and it is considered one of the best towns to live in the USA . It is inconceivable to me that a municipality as upscale as Oyster Bay would consider a project like West Shore Road and not include a bike path. It would add value to the community, promote a healthy lifestyle, and assure safety to the bikers who are already peddling on West Shore Road!
I have been a LI resdient for all my life (I am 59 years old) and have even lived in Bayville during my college years at CW Post. I have been bike riding in anround Bayville since college – it would be a wonderful addition for us to ride without cars trying to run us off the road.
There are some great comments on here. As a cyclist I avoid using west shore road as much as possible. As a resident of Bayville, however, this practice really limits where I can go with my bike. I am very much in favor of a bike lane or path on this road, and see no reason that it should be omitted. There is ample space to create one since they are putting the power lines under the roadway, and there are so many benefits to adding one! Safer for both cyclists, joggers, walkers AND motorists; Bridges the communities of Bayville and Oyster Bay; Huge gains on quality of life for all local residents as they can easily access and enjoy one of the best views Long Island has to offer! Imagine if it were safe to travel by bike via west Shore Road…oyster bay residents might venture out to Bayville to go to the stands, enjoy Ralph’s Pizza and other restaurants, maybe take the kids to the theme park. And for those of us in Bayville, we could ride over to Oyster Bay and get an ice at Bonanza’s stand, visit the Teddy Roosevelt Park…so many things! I am very hopeful that this project will be done the right way this time since it will be quite some time before we ever get the opportunity to try it again.
Absolutely build a bike path! I ride into Bayville regularly and bring my family there as well! It’s a great way to attract folks like me to spend money in your lovely village!
How is it that NYC has been able to put more and more bike lanes over the past twenty five years and Long Island keeps their heads in the sand. – Perhaps we need to start some Critical Mass rides one Sunday a month to make our voice heard?
Totally am for a critical mass–how about during the Oyster Fest weekend? It’s right before Election Day! : )))
There certainly needs to be a bike path. I used to travel from bayville to oyster bay daily and the bikers create a huge problem for traffic not only endangering themselves. The problem is the bikers think the road is theirs and there isn’t even a shoulder for them to ride on so they ride in the road. For a car to pass it must wait for the other side to be clear or chance it and go into on coming traffic. I’ve seen atleast a dozen close calls in the last year. I guess it must take a bikers death to put a bike path in but it would be very smart to do it now.
“The problem is the bikers think the road is theirs and there isn’t even a shoulder for them to ride on so they ride in the road.”
I hate seeing misconceptions like this, actually, yes they do have as much right to the road as a motorist. Check out https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/programs/bicycle/faq for a summary of traffic law specific to bicycles.
Paraphrasing: “The motorist must always remember that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of a motor vehicle. You should bicycle as far to the right as is practicable. If there is a safe shoulder, use it instead of the traffic lane. Smart cyclists plot a line straight down the roadway three to four feet from the curb or parked car.”
So, if there is no shoulder, or no safe shoulder a bicycles should and can legally ride 3′ to 4′ into the roadway and motorists are legally obliged to exercise due care to avoid colliding with them.
A nice wide shoulder would make everyone happier and safer too. Everyone following speed limits would reduce near misses as well.
Here are two sections from that web site:
Q1. Where on the road may a bicyclist travel?
A1. If there is a usable bicycle lane, the bicyclists must use it. If there is no bicycle lane or it is unusable due to parked cars or other hazards, the bicyclists may drive either on the right shoulder or near the right edge or curb of the roadway. Bicyclists may move further left to avoid hazards such as parked cars or debris, but the bicyclists must avoid undue interference with other traffic (Sec. 1234(a))
You should bicycle as far to the right as is practicable. If there is a safe shoulder, use it instead of the traffic lane. Smart cyclists plot a line straight down the roadway three to four feet from the curb or parked car. This allows them space to avoid road hazards and to be more visible to motorists and pedestrians.
Q2. Is a motorist required to treat bicyclists any differently from a motorist?
A2. The motorist must always remember that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of a motor vehicle and motorists are required to exercise “due care” to avoid colliding with bicyclists (Sec. 1146). As a safety measure, motorists should make scanning for cyclists second nature, giving cyclists plenty of clearance when passing them and the right-of-way when appropriate.
Further down in the same web page a direct guidance from the NYS DOT at https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/programs/bicycle/faq that applies directly to West Shore Road
Q. Where do I ride if there is no shoulder or bike lane and the travel lane is too narrow to share?
A. The best approach is to position yourself several feet out into the lane where motorists will see you and not be invited to squeeze by in the same lane. On narrower lanes, 10 feet or less, a bicyclist might actually “take the lane”, i.e., by positioning themselves at or near the center of the lane. This enables them to be seen by overtaking vehicles and gives the message that the overtaking vehicle must move left to pass when it is safe to do so.
Thank you for posting this Rob! I will hang onto this to pass along to folks with that similar mindset. I must say I used to think this way myself…until I got a bike and started riding it. It’s a lack of public knowledge that creates this and I thank you for spreading the word. Hopefully we can all learn to be more courteous out there on the road!
I lived in the Bayville area for five years and recently moved. I was amazed that during the time I used West Shore Road daily that no one was hit on a bike. Scores of bike riders use that road every day and without a bike path the road is extremely hazardous! Please put in a bike path before someone is killed as without one it is only a matter of time before
People will be riding there bike there no matter what that is much more of a public concern than if they create a bike path. It should be made
Let’s not let this turn into our Wollman Rink Debacle. In the 1980s, Wollman Rink was closed for 6 years while politicians argued over funding and logistics. Then, Donald Trump stepped in and got the work done in 3 months. But we can’t rely on someone like Trump stepping in on this; we need to put pressure on our leaders to get this done the right way in a timely manner.
bike and walk path a much needed improvement for everyone to enjoy West Shore Road…let us make our voices heard!
It should always be safety first, this is a no brainier, put the bike lane in,
not just for the bikers, but for safety. I’ve witnessed a bad accidents that could have been prevented if the cars had more room and be able to sway to the shoulder and avoid the accident from happening. The road also gets flooded when we have storms, so that is also something to think about.
I think the tax payers should have a say in it. It is our money and we should have a vote and decide were our money goes!!!
The speed limits need to be inforced on West Shore Road. Cars crossing the double yellow line, with all the blind curves on that road, someone is bound to die.
A wonderful idea, a bike path along the water. I would love to see this happen, finally! It has been long due.
Perfect location for a bike path — great view and out of the way of traffic. Please make it happen
This is just another screw job from the politians they don’t care about us just their reelection. It’s time we vote these people out of office and try someone new, they certainly can’t be any worse. Shore rd is death waiting to happen and the current bicycle packs that disregard the law are the prime targets. It’s just a matter of time before the grim reaper gets a few of them and then the politians concerned and then they will call for safety on the road so it looks llike they really care. The bottom line is that we really need the walk way and bicycle lane also police enforsement of the biker packs.
This is a beautiful stretch of road, but unfortunately is quite dangerous for both the cyclists and the cars that have to maneuver around them. I personally avoid this road now on my bike. The motorists seem particularly hostile to cyclists – probably thinking that they should either be banned or have enough sense to stay off this road.
We are going to ride out bikes on this road regardless of any improvements. Doesnt it make sense to figure out a way to make it safter for us? Is it really cheaper to have someone hurt or killed?
The trade off between being sued eventually and/or the bad press from an accident vs. doing the right thing and installing a lane is very compelling and obviously there should be a bike lane. That road leads to a nice section of Long Island but i hate riding that road both ways
Having a bike path between oyster bay and bayville is the most reasonable thing they could do. How much more would it cost to add a walking/ bike path. Do I think its gonna get done NO why? There is too much money on the other side of west shore road. What will it take to get it do? I hate to say it but maybe a death will have to occure before the county opens the eyes and stops listening to the few with the big bucks .
I suspect you’d need the approval of Mill Neck Village and some sort of buy-in from the Friends of the Bay in the event that building the bike path would upset the ecology along the road.
First, the cars need to slow down. Second, the town needs to clean the sand and sticks off the road, Third, the bike riders, joggers and pedestrians need to talk to the engineers about the design. Finally, the politicos need to get on the band wagon. Only then will lives be saved.
your flyer fell out of my bulletin at St.Dominic’s today. I knew Jesus wore sandals but I didn’t know he wore bike shorts!!
To the creator of this site, I thank you. I ride this route often. I enjoy the beauty and serenity of oyster bay, especially along west shore road. On several occasions I have almost been hit by a car while riding my bike. I am not a professional cyclist, just a housewife who enjoys staying in shape. I have also jogged down there many times. Each time I make it back, I am thankful I didn’t get hit. On the other hand, I am a soccer mom who frequents west shore road to drive several children back and forth to their games. I have nearly killed my fair share of cyclists, joggers and speed walkers. I would’ve walked away from the accident in my big suv, however, I am sure I would have seriously injured the pedestrian (if not killed them). What I am trying to say is …..It is just as scary being a driver on that road as it is a cyclist/runner. I would be devastated to cause another harm. For the motorists and exercise enthusiasts this path is imperative. We must join together as a community and fight for what is right. Until the job is done, stay safe on west shore road to all my active pals….One Love!
It is a great idea – It probably would need to look like the bike path to Jones Beach to be safe. I have been riding every day in Bayville and it would be great to get to Oyster Bay safely. Cars hug the tall bushes in the southerly direction just past Cleft Road, and on the northerly direction at the bends, which is simply scary when you are riding – I told my daughter when I was teaching her to drive to be very careful of cyclists on that stretch into Oyster Bay and go slow in the area As it is now, restaurant workers cycle the road until late into the night at great risk.
Take up the lane when riding. It is not safe to stay to the right when there is traffic coming from both directions, especially when there is a bend or curve in the road.
Unfortunately, I feel that until someone gets killed riding their bike here a bike path will not happen.if some of these politicians took a proactive approach to a safer and more community enhancing approach this might get done. It is great to hear the community speak for themselves for a change instead of these politians speaking for us….god bless America….
I love the idea of a bicycle path. Presently the bicyclists are at risk ….and the automobile riders are also at risk…it is a scary drive when there are shade pockets or bikes 3 abreast.
I stopped cycling on this road after being hit by a cars side mirror and after my 4th flat due to the numerous potholes i couldnt afford tubes anymore
Govenment is promoting heathy lifestyles, local government is saying this is such a great place to live because of the water….then build the path…gets people out getting healthy, enjoying the water in a safe manner…..build it.
Hi folks – I’m a local resident who enjoys swimming, biking and running in Bayville, Locust Valley, Mill Neck and Oyster Bay. The issue related to fixing this road has been going on for more years than most of you are probably alive. It is really an issue now since it was terribly undermined in the Nor Easter of ’92. It’s not so much the Bayville residents that don’t want the road wider to include a bike lane, it’s more the Mill Neck Estates residents. I would love to be able to ride back and forth to Teddy Roosevelt Park by bike, but it’s too dangerous now. And the residents will never be amenable to property reductions to accommodate packs of 20 bicycles at a time traveling this single-lane road. (We all know clubs who do not abide by single file rules and ride in packs through the curvy roads in Old Westbury. There has been so much written about it in our local papers.) As a local athlete, I’d like to be able to safely run or bike along this road, so I signed the petition. However, having stayed on top of the local news, it’s a long shot for any of the $8M phases to be changed.
Whoever is organizing this needs to contact CLIMB http://www.CLIMBonline.org and ask for their LIGHT committee to help you get this done…it won’t be as easy as just signing a petition. Long Island Greenways and Healthy Trails (LIGHT)
I think adding a bike path is a wonderful idea. That is a dangerous road without a shoulder lane so it is hard to ride your bike down there.
$30 million is just for 2000 feet of the SEAWALL and associated roadway repairs. This is only a fraction of the entire length. So even if you get the bike path to fly for this, you are only doing the middle portion of the length of the road. No bike path —> Bike path –> No bike path. Sounds safe.
To be able to fit a bike path would require YEARS of studies regarding the environmental impact of moving the seawall out into the bay. So you want a full fledged sidewalk, and bike lane. But wait…not just 1 bike lane, 2 bike lanes to accommodate each direction. So let’s see here. A legitimate sidewalk needs to be 5′ wide.. A bike lane 5′ wide or more, each. So 5+5+5 = 15 feet of intrusion into the bay. You probably want to make the lanes wider too, to increase the safety and margin of error should some Bayville soccer mom who’s late for her 15 minute session with the pool boy before hubby gets home be talking on their cell phone and hit a cyclist. So let’s add a foot to each driving lane. So now we’re adding 17 feet of intrusion. Ah but of course, there is more to this. Since the driving lane is only 12 feet wide, you need a buffer zone on each lane edge…let’s assume it’s 18 inches. Not ideal for safety reasons but possible to get away with. So we’ve just decided that to have a sidewalk, and bike lane in each direction, we need to intrude 20′ into the bay.
You think the DEC, Army Corp, and concerned environmentalists would let that fly so some cyclists can ride down the road? Good luck.
I am a cyclist and wish there was a path there, but the reality is the costs (to get one approved would be a massive expenditure beyond the $30…for EACH phase of this reconstruction) out weigh the needs.
Your detailed analysis of the situation is much appreciated (and much more information than i have seen provided by our elected officials who somehow managed to plan and approve this $30 mil project without just about anyone in the local community knowing about it’s final details). However, perhaps we should get our terms straight. While I’m sure many would like to see a true bike path similar to the dedicated ones in Wantagh and Bethpage, we don’t have to get ridiculas in suggesting two lanes, buffers, etc. I think much of the road cycling community would be happy with something resembling a shoulder similar to those along many north shore raodways, say 2-3 feet wide. That coupled with the planned walkway for runners would increase safety for most users without adding much if anything to the width of what already exists there, or god forbid allowing the undesirable roller bladers or parents with baby joggers to sully the views of the Mill Neck residents (sarcasm intentional). Let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water or let the perfect get in the way of the good. As many have said, cyclists will ride on this road regardless (including this one), and saftey should be paramont in our elected officials minds.
LIKE!!
It makes sense so it probably will not happen!
Removing the bike path from the road plan is news to me. It always amazes me to see how the local politicians “sell” a project and then change it without public notice. The announcement of the Shore Road rebuilding project with a bike path was heavily covered in the newspapers. That sounded great and many people were looking forward to it. However, the news about dropping the bike path never saw any coverage in the news. Why? Of course, there should be a sidewalk AND a bike path along the entire route. The “community concern” smacks of some people along the route not wanting to see bikers, walkers, and runners spoiling their expensive water views. Sorry, folks. The REAL “community concern” is that people from both ends of the route can bike, run and walk to Oyster Bay and Bayville without getting killed. Build the walkway and built it right. $30 miilion can certainly cover it.
This definitely needs a bike path. We ride this road and it is dangerous in the extreme. It is an embarrassed that Nassau County is so unfriendly to cyclist. The roads in Nassau County (most notably this one) need to be configured with bike lanes. One should not have to put one’s life at risk to go cycling.
We would be thrilled to have a bike path along the road. There is no way to ride along the water and admire the view. Can’t imagine any community wouldn’t welcome such a path.
This is long overdue. Thank you for initiating this website. I am confident that we, as a community can make a change. I am optomistic that Ms.Whitton will understand the logistics and importance of adding an adequate bike path to the plans. You have all of our support. Keep up the good work.
Nassau county in general has a very anti bicycle
Attitude when it comes to bike lanes and cyclists’
Rights. Even the police often have no clue about
State bicycling laws and application thereof.
West shore needs to be fixed up before its too late.
Case in point: how many people had to die before a fence
Was built alongside wantagh parkway path?
To spend 30 million to construct a roadway without a
path seems ridiculous. The politicians need to put their heads together
and come up with a plan to provide a safe path for pedestrians, cyclisst, and runners..
This path will be an asset to both communities (Oyster Bay/Bayville).
I grew up in Oyster Bay and during the summer I traveled this route in a “loop” on a daily basis, by bike… It was dangerous then and now more so… the speed of cars, the number of cars on the road, the rudeness of cars that are passing bike riders… A bike lane and a possible sidewalk along this road would be beneficial to the community. By the way, this road needed to be replaced in the 70′s… and the involvement (need) of the Army Corps of Engineers was what “put off” the repair of the road… Now we need to replace the road because it was never repaired.
This should be done correctly.
The road definitely needs a sidewalk, bike path!
My wife and I call Shore Road, “the prettiest ride home in New York”. Isn’t it great to make the turn under the LIRR bridge and see the water open up before your eyes? It’s heaven and the minute I make that turn, I know I’m home…
The only problem is that it’s so darn pretty that the cyclist WILL still use this route, path or not! I cannot tell you how many times I damn near took one of these bikers out because they were just to close to the road. Scares me often, especially at night….
Delia DeRiggi Whitton is a very smart lady. I believe she will see the merits of the path and know what needs to be done. In her, I have full confidence. Let’s just continue to let her know just how important it is to all of us in OB and Bayville and stop listening to the 2 families in Mill Neck that have publicly stated that “a bike path will bring ‘undesirables’ to the area. What a line of baloney that is! Safety should always be all of our first concern. a 2.3 mile stretch of waterfront road HAS TO HAVE A BIKE PATH! I cannot think of a similar road anywhere in the country that does not have a bike path.
Also, let’s make sure the architects on this project actually think this one out better than they did the new sidewalks in Bayville. That compass rose is an embarrassment! The sidewalks have a ‘bump out’ that stalls traffic to 1 car per light going North on Bayville Road where it intersects Ludlum. That is just dumb. Stones in the flower boxes by the trees? Just a matter of time till one stone leaves the bed and someone slips and sues. Come on folks, lets THINK before act. I want to see the plans…..
Jamie Scott
well said Jamie
I’ve always felt that there should be a sidewalk or bike path along this road. Hope to see it actually happen.
A bike path is long overdue. As a Bayville resident who enjoys biking, I would never try to get to Oyster Bay by bike but would like to. As a parent, I would love to have my children have a safe way to go from OB to Bayville and vice versa. As someone who drives on these roads, I think a bike lane/pedestrian route is necessary — the current and proposed situation is way too dangerous.
It’s unfortunate that pursuing the installation of a bike path was not a priority for the powers that be when planning and designing this project. It is a very heavily biked road and sadly, as others have mentioned, is just waiting for a cyclist fatality to occur. I tend to avoid riding there simply due to the poor condition of the asphalt.
That being said, this project is already designed, the DEC and Army Corp are happy with it and it has been awarded to a contractor. This means the likelyhood of getting any changes done are extremely low. Barring a cut of the funding, this will be starting very soon. The reality is that the road, as is, is only wide enough for 11′ lanes with a minimal shoulder. This, in and of itself, will cause a reduced speed limit to be posted in order to meet the MUTCD requirements. So sadly, this is not a simple case of altering the line striping on the road to accommodate a bike lane. To widen the road would require either purchase of the property from homeowners along the road (good luck…all they want is their sea wall reconstructed), or moving the sea wall out and intruding into the bay. Both options, while feasible, are extremely time consuming and difficult processes which of course means a lot more money will be required to make a change. Everyone needs to remember this is a sea wall project first, and it is only 2000′ of the sea wall/roadway that is being done as the first part of a 3 phase plan (assuming the money is secured for future work).
It should be noted that there will be a pedestrian path in place behind the guardrail, but it is a “replace as is” walk that will be a mixture of grass, asphalt and concrete as needed. It should be more functional with the utility poles gone…maybe even wide enough for a leisurely cyclist to use.
No Brainer, I would like to see the plans and cross sections for the improvement project, but I can’t imagine that a bike lane would add much to the cost of the project. I would be awesome and safer.
This is a rare opportunity to get it right. The road has been too narrow even for automobile traffic, let alone bicycle and pedestrian traffic. There have been numerous head on collisions on that road over the years. There needs to be some maneuvering room for cars to go around unexpected obstructions that may appear just after a blind turn or else to steer clear of distracted drivers. There should at least be a decent sized service lane which can also serve as a bicycle and pedestrian path. Ideally there would be a more protected separate bicycle and pedestrian path. It is a beautiful route and citizens should be able to benefit from it safely and without impacting traffic flow.
Let’s hear what the concerns are from the community. Sounds like some disingenuous political speak to me. Be specific about what the concerns are.
West Shore Road is very dangerous for bikers. There is a one-time window of opportunity opening to make it safe. Do the right thing.
I bike this route virtually every day, and it is a major danger with a cyclist fatality only a matter of time. There is not enough room for both a bike and a car going in the same direction, so as a cyclist we can either hog the lane (what I do when heading south and the bushes prevent me from being far enough on the shoulder to safely allow a car to pass) or think thin whenever someone in a huge rush refuses to wait until they can use the other lane. If the government is going to improve the road, how could they even think of not putting in a wide enough lane, in each direction, so that everyone can stay safe and utilize the roads their tax dollars paid for?
Having forced LIPA to remove its poles and install power lines et al underground should give this project plenty of room to install a reasonably sized bike/walking/running path on top of the new seawall that would benefit the entire community. Ignoring this need is incredibly short-sighted.
The Nassau County biking community really needs to get together on this and fight for a safe bike lane. I’d like to know exactly what the “community concern” is? Concern that cars will be able to travel more smoothly without navigating around cyclists? Concern that there will be less of a chance that cyclists will be killed? Concern that people recreating (and their dollars), can travel more freely between OB and Bayville and spend money? Concern that a stalled car won’t block a lane of traffic by not being able to pull over? I mean what’s the concern? My guess is the actual “community” is the handful of residents who live along the road who are able to inconvenience and deprive the many for fear that the sight of a roller blader will lower property values. While NYC, with the most expensive real eastate in the country, increase park land and bike access, we are shrinking it. It’s everything that’s wrong with Long Island and no big surprise…
I don’t understand how construction could even be considered without a bike path. 100′s risk their lives to ride this magnificent route, yet both drivers and riders are in constant danger
To spend 30 million to construct a roadway without a
path seems ridiculous.
I think the politicians need to put their heads together
and come up with a plan that has the best interest of safety.
A bike path can only prove to be an asset to both
Communities (Oyster Bay/Bayville).
Take the Cross Island Pkwy in Bayside for example. It is
An asset for Douglaston, Bayside and Whitestone cyclists,
runners, walkers, roller bladers and strollers.
I did the road on bicycle recently from OB to bayville and
Took my life in my hands!!!!!!
I live in Warren Rhode Island. We live on the East Bay Bike Path that connects Providence with Bristol. The path brings communities together, is well used and a thing of beauty. In my opinion a Ped/Bike way would be an assest to your community
I’d rather see ONLY a bike lane proposed since it can be used by cyclists and pedestrians. A sidewalk, at least the typical one made from blocks of concrete separated by expansion areas, becomes difficult to ride over time due to weathering but an asphalt bike lane is usually cheaper to maintain and safer to ride on over time.
I am so glad that John has gotten the ball rolling on this!! I think this will be a great thing for Oyster Bay, Bayville and the many hundreds of cyclists who travel to the area to ride every weekend of the year!!
as an avid bicyclist, I travel into NYC a few times a month to ride. The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is a safer ride than most of the roads available to us here on the island, what with with distracted drivers and tight shared lanes. Shore Road is one of these roads. The greenway is a protected route circumventing most of Manhattan with access to bridge crossings and many wonderful sites that I may miss by other modes of transportation. A widened shoulder on Shore Road, instead of a protected pedestrian path, only provides distracted drivers more room with which to travel unconsciously. (take for example the southern portion of Wantagh Pkwy. where there have been a number of accidents, prompting the county to install additional heavy wire railings to protect pedestrians 30′ from the road bed). Hopefully the project will be done with the safety of all in mind, allowing us to enjoy the beauty of this area, all the while maintaining the integrity of the waterfront.
yes, a single protected lane for cyclists, with some divider barrier and a single path for walkers on both sides of the road would be a great addition for all
I’ve never understood why the people of Bayville have constantly battled against any improvements that might actually bring some business to all those struggling restaurants along the water. I ride West Shore Road to Bayville regularly, but will not bring my wife along, as the ride is way too dangerous for a casual cyclist like her. If we could ride together, we would surely stop for dinner at The Breakers, the Tiki Bar, or even the pizzeria at least once or twice a week.
The one and only time I took my wife on that road she asked me if I was trying to get her killed.
I couldn’t agree more , this could be the most beautiful thing to happen to our area and be a major boost to business in Bayville Village ,yet the bureaucrats who simply don’t get it are still afraid of the wild life sanctuary and opening the door to a bridge in the future , well that ain’t gonna happen .. why they want to bury the utilities is beyond me , so now they’ll be flooded every time the water raises above the road ? .. If it were me I’d simply move all the poles to the west side well off the and concentrate on widening the road tom accommodate a bike path and unobstructed path on the east side for walkers . this protect the bay thing is good to appoint but to force this project into a minor half assed thing is just stupid …
Cyclists are going to continue to use the road regardless so why not make it safer and more enjoyable for both cyclists and motorists by creating a path? Those opposed(@#$#%&$# Minicooper) will be less inconvenienced and can drive on their merry way.
Yes, either a wider shoulder or a bike lane is sorely needed. This is a popular bike route and a dangerous one at that. We got buzzed by a Mini Cooper on Sunday morning while riding with 4 other folks. Seemed the driver was just to upset at having been delayed for about 30 seconds.
Unfortunately, Nassau County has been dead set against adding bicycle infrastructure on any of it’s roads, this going back 25 years or more. Pretty much any bike lanes you currently see are town or local initiatives, not the county, but possibly this petition will help get the ball rolling.
It is up to the cyclists to remember that they have to by law abide by the same laws as the motorists, ie. stopping at red lights, stop signs, and by no means riding anything other then single file.How many times have village taxpayers have to put up with the “tour de France” every Sunday. before someone gets run over. Safety first you reap what you sow!
I’m not saying you do this STeve, but very often the cyclists ride 3 and 4 across the lane. I know that bikes have a right to use the road and cars should be respectful too, but I believe NYS law says that bikes must be in single file. I have been given the finger and screamed at by bikers and I try not to get close and I go slow around them (much to the dismay of the people riding up my ass to go 50mph). It’s a dangerous road with blind curves, people driving way over the speed limit & something needs to be done for everyone’s safety.
I mostly ride by myself, if not, then always single-file, and always as far over on a shoulder as possible. You would not believe the harassment I’ve gotten from drivers at times. Some drivers get so freaked out about having to deal with a cyclist. I had a lady pull up next to me in a minivan this summer and shout out the window “somebody got killed riding here recently.” Yea, because of drivers like her.
I don’t want to seem ignorant but there are 3 or 4 West Shore Roads on Long Island. Port Washington, Oyster Bay and Huntington comes to mind because I bike there. I would think whoever placed this petition would say what town. That said I am in favor of it.
Read the top, no need to be ignorant…..it says “Oyster Bay’s West Shore Road”
No, in his defense the top was edited after he posted
At the very least the road needs a widened shoulder. I too often use this as part of a cycling route connector, and it would be nice to do so without feeling that I am impeding traffic or am about to get hit by some unattentive driver.
It would be a great improvement and allow people who already bike and run along west shore road to do it safely.
This would be a great addition for the local economy’ s of both Bayville and Oyster Bay
This year Governor Cuomo signed a bill about “complete streets”. S5411A-2011 “Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principals.” Improved mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, etc in street planning. DOESN’T THIS APPLY??!!
The road WILL be used by runners and cyclists, that is just the way it is. Whether they will be hit by cars is up to the legislators. A bike lane would make the most sense. I have been using that road to run and ride for over 15 years, and will continue to do so, hopefully I will live to tell.
I build waterfront parks for a living. A standard steel barrier is inexpensive and would suffice for protection of bike riders and joggers. Thats common sense. In my opinion, “The Community Concern” is most likely the seated authority in Bayville trying to keep the large Spanish Immigrant population of Oyster Bay from having easier access to travel by bike or foot into Bayville.