Westporters want to ride bikes.
But they fear for their safety.
Those are 2 major takeaways from Bike Westport‘s first survey.
It’s an important snapshot. The non-profit — formed last year by Markus Marty and Peter Gold, with help from Adam Ganser — got responses from 1,596 residents last fall.
They expected to hear from families with young children. But the biggest group — 34% — have lived in Westport for over 2 decades. 46% do no have any children under 18 at home.
No matter their age, bike safety is a huge concern.
Marty — a filmmaker and photographer who grew up in Switzerland (where from age 4 on he biked everywhere), and spent 15 years in New York (where he rode somewhere every day of the year) — got the idea for the survey after moving here in 2020.
He knew exactly what was missing here — opportunities for safe biking — but, as a newcomer, was unsure if others shared his concerns.
With such a high response rate, Marty now knows he’s not alone.
Markus Marty bikes around town, with his children in a trailer.
Over half the respondents ride a bike. Of those who do, 40% ride more than once a week.
Among survey-takers’ biggest issues: distracted/aggressive drivers, Westport’s lack of bike lanes, and poor road conditions.
Marty thought the beach would be a major destination for bike riders. But people want to ride everywhere: downtown, to schools, the train station and many other spots.
While cyclists and drivers disagree on many things, Marty says, they do agree on one: the need for bike lanes. They make driving as well as biking safer.
Though he hears often that “roads are too narrow” for bike lanes, Marty notes that a recent study shows that narrower roadways actually save lives. They also come with environmental and economic benefits.
Asked for specific comments, survey-takers noted a wide range of complaints — some of them involving bikers themselves. For example:
- “Lack of contiguous bike lanes (they suddenly stop, or you have to switch to the other side of the street).”
- “Overly aggressive bike riders that ignore stop signs and lights, and seem to hunt in packs.”
- “Drivers who feel it is acceptable to cross the yellow line to pass cyclists when they face oncoming traffic.”
- “Kids who do not wear helmets.”
- “Bikers that ride directly in front of cars for extended periods, or do not respect the boundaries of bike lanes.”
- “No one signals anymore!”
- “Westport does not need more bicycling infrastructure. Having more than is already here will only increase congestion, especially as most cyclists do not follow the rules of the road. “
- “Just like in Europe, we need to make cycling a safe, fun alternative transport/leisure option. We have a small enough community to do this, and create an identity like a little Amsterdam.”
- “Why are there no bike racks in Westport?”
There was a consensus that Westport should invest more in bicycle safety and infrastructure.
“We need representation that specifically supports the interests of all members of traffic,” Marty says.
“It feels as though most of the focus goes into making the town a safer place to drive. Riders and pedestrians are left out of the conversation.”
Beckett Lohs rides to school.
80% of survey takers were unaware of Westport’s federal grant of $450,000 to study safer streets.
Marty calls this “an incredible opportunity for this town to conduct a thorough audit of its road system, find ways to improve it, and have the potential of many more funds to do actual work).”
He wants Bike Westport to provide input. He is waiting for a status update on the grant from 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich.
In the meantime, Marty says, “we continue to imagine what a safe, walkable and rideable Westport would look like.”
Studies and plans have been made in the past. Most have been shelved.
“We want to get an overview of the best elements, what’s been done, and why those plans were not implemented, as well as study best practices in similar communities.”
(To view complete survey results, click here. To learn more about Bike Westport — including how to join and donate — click here.)
(“06880” regularly covers transportation issues — and everything else that goes round in Westport. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Grace Salmon Park (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
Dan, I competed the initial survey- is this the same one? I felt safer cycling on the UES in NYC en route to Central Park than I do here in Westport….
Yes, same survey.
Did anybody mention the number of people who think it’s perfectly acceptable to drink and drive? I would love to bike in this town, but I don’t want to take my life in my hands!
I would love to bike more and won’t so I don’t get hurt. Also when my kids were little my pediatrician saw me with my little on on the back of my bike and she said, “unsafe”. Seeing people with kids on their bikes on our busiest streets is so hard to watch. There are many safer options. Drive bikes to those safer places.
Honestly, there have been many close calls with bikers that I have seen, mostly due to bikers riding side by side on busy narrow roads. They either are passing each other or riding two or sometimes 3 across blocking cars from being able to safely pass them. Most adult bikers that I have seen are NOT stopping for red lights or stop signs as they just cruise thru intersections. I get the idea that they are trying to either make “time”, not have to slow down or stop so they don’t have to restart from a standstill (maybe there are too many areas they should stop at) keeping them from getting a good consistent workout. I’m not sure of their reasoning, but if cars have to stop (and not roll thru) stop signs and red lights (such as right on red) then bikers should also follow those rules! Don’t get me wrong, drivers of cars are at fault too for rolling thru these intersections as well. I often wonder if some of the drivers that roll thru may be the same bikers that I see rolling thru these intersections. Some of the bikers ride quite fast and have “surprised me” as they come up along my right side as I am getting ready to start moving as a light goes from red to green. It’s not so easy to see them or hear them as they approach from behind especially if the roadway is curvy. I wish more bikers would wear brighter colors so it’s easier to see them from a distance. It’s both aggressive car drivers and aggressive bikers that need to calm down and follow the rules of the road to survive together.
the distance between the cars and bikers are inadequate for safe biking.
06880 has no infrastructure for bikes. We don’t even have sidewalks. The few sidewalks are in terrible condition. I see families riding bikes on small steeets with young children. it’s far too dangerous. A bike ride is not witty the risk of an accident. Thibk about parks schools. Lastly bikers hate to stop. Bikers want exercise but if they see a stop sign or a light most do not want to loose their cycling momentum. Ovserve bikers across from Old Mill Deli. Few bikers stop or slow down. Bikers ride in groups taking over the entire street not allowing cars to pass. Westport is not a biker town. Westport is not a good walking town. Watch out. Slow Down. Put the phone down.
I would encourage our leaders to develop open space for an outdoor gym.
Don’t waste the money on doing a survey. Give the money to the Westport Police Department to provide an unmarked car to start giving out citations. To the bikers who refuse to stop for red lights and stop signs and the cars who think it’s OK to cross the double yellow line into oncoming traffic to stay 20 feet away from my biker in a bike lane. I see this happening on South Compo day in and day out I firmly believe that this is the only way to start educating both drivers and bikers to the rules of the road. I see it day in and day out bikers who bike ahead of cars in a lane designated for cars. To change our existing roadways is not feasible. Holding both drivers and cyclist accountable is the only way to provide a safer environment for both.
“safe, walkable and rideable” is a terrific objective I support. But in terms of priority I think ‘walkable’ should be before ‘rideable’.
Similar issues exist for walkers – missing sidewalks, unconnected partial sidewalks, uneven broken surfaces a stroller can’t navigate, unmarked street crossings, lights without pedestrian pauses.
I bike often and agree there could be many things done to improve safety .. what may concern me the most is the amount of weed being consumed while people are driving.. you can smell it everywhere.. no different if they were having a cocktail.. can we put the same stigma on this as we do with drinking and driving …cheers