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.)
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Grace Salmon Park (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
The non-profit’s mission is to build “a community of people who desire more, safer and better cycling and walking options in Westport”; work with town and state governments to improve bicycling infrastructure and connect neighborhoods to areas like downtown, Saugatuck, Longshore, the beaches and schools, and educate riders and drivers on safe biking practices and laws.
