Restore Bicycle Access to all NJ TRANSIT Rail Stations
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From: Your Name <you@example.com>
To: james.simpson@dot.state.nj.us, fjohnboyle@gmail.com, ajbesold@yahoo.com
Subject: Restore Bicycle Access to all NJ TRANSIT Rail Stations
Dear Commissioner Simpson,
I am writing to ask you to rescind the ban on the boarding and deboarding of bicycles at low-level platform NJ TRANSIT train stations.
Since 1998 NJ TRANSIT has allowed bicycle access on all off-peak trains at all stations. Many bicycling passengers not only use their bicycle to get to their station of origin but also take their bicycles with them on the train so they can then ride the last few miles to reach their final destinations.
This new policy change cuts off access to more than half of NJ TRANSIT's heavy commuter rail stations including the critically important Hoboken Terminal. On some NJ TRANSIT train lines, the lack of high level platform stations in conjunction with this new policy effectively creates a ban of bicycles from those NJ TRANSIT train lines. On the Montclair/Boonton Line only 15 of 28 stations have high level platform stations. On the Pascack Valley Line it's only 6 of the 18. 8 of 26 on the Gladstone. 6 of 19 on the Raritan Valley. And if one only counts the New Jersey stations on the Main/Bergen Line, only a paltry 5 of the 21 station are now accessible for those with bikes.
No other U.S. commuter rail system could be found with a similar ban of bicycles only at low-level platform stations. All across the nation, similar heavy commuter rail systems have been making significant investments to increase bicycle access on their trains and at their stations, including stations with low-level platforms. NJ TRANSIT stands alone with this regressive step regarding bicycle access on its trains.
Recent policy actions such as the increase of bike racks on buses, the addition of walkways on major bridge projects including I-95 Scudder Falls and a comprehensive Complete Streets Policy suggests that NJDOT agrees that bicycling is important for the quality of life in New Jersey. Bicycle access to all off-peak NJ TRANSIT Trains is an important mobility option for many and should not be restricted. Please see to it that this new, highly restrictive and regressive policy at NJ TRANSIT is rescinded as soon as possible.
Thank you Commissioner Simpson for your time and consideration regarding this important issue for New Jersey bicyclists,
Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
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Campaign (<em>2545</em>): <em>Restore Bicycle Access to all NJ TRANSIT Rail Stations</em>
Learn more about this campaign here: <em>http://www.citizenspeak.org/campaign/walkbikejersey/restore-bicycle-access-all-nj-transit-rail-stations</em>
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This campaign was created with CitizenSpeak. Visit us online at http://citizenspeak.org
To: james.simpson@dot.state.nj.us, fjohnboyle@gmail.com, ajbesold@yahoo.com
Subject: Restore Bicycle Access to all NJ TRANSIT Rail Stations
Dear Commissioner Simpson,
I am writing to ask you to rescind the ban on the boarding and deboarding of bicycles at low-level platform NJ TRANSIT train stations.
Since 1998 NJ TRANSIT has allowed bicycle access on all off-peak trains at all stations. Many bicycling passengers not only use their bicycle to get to their station of origin but also take their bicycles with them on the train so they can then ride the last few miles to reach their final destinations.
This new policy change cuts off access to more than half of NJ TRANSIT's heavy commuter rail stations including the critically important Hoboken Terminal. On some NJ TRANSIT train lines, the lack of high level platform stations in conjunction with this new policy effectively creates a ban of bicycles from those NJ TRANSIT train lines. On the Montclair/Boonton Line only 15 of 28 stations have high level platform stations. On the Pascack Valley Line it's only 6 of the 18. 8 of 26 on the Gladstone. 6 of 19 on the Raritan Valley. And if one only counts the New Jersey stations on the Main/Bergen Line, only a paltry 5 of the 21 station are now accessible for those with bikes.
No other U.S. commuter rail system could be found with a similar ban of bicycles only at low-level platform stations. All across the nation, similar heavy commuter rail systems have been making significant investments to increase bicycle access on their trains and at their stations, including stations with low-level platforms. NJ TRANSIT stands alone with this regressive step regarding bicycle access on its trains.
Recent policy actions such as the increase of bike racks on buses, the addition of walkways on major bridge projects including I-95 Scudder Falls and a comprehensive Complete Streets Policy suggests that NJDOT agrees that bicycling is important for the quality of life in New Jersey. Bicycle access to all off-peak NJ TRANSIT Trains is an important mobility option for many and should not be restricted. Please see to it that this new, highly restrictive and regressive policy at NJ TRANSIT is rescinded as soon as possible.
Thank you Commissioner Simpson for your time and consideration regarding this important issue for New Jersey bicyclists,
Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123
p.s.
Your Personal Statement
--
Campaign (<em>2545</em>): <em>Restore Bicycle Access to all NJ TRANSIT Rail Stations</em>
Learn more about this campaign here: <em>http://www.citizenspeak.org/campaign/walkbikejersey/restore-bicycle-access-all-nj-transit-rail-stations</em>
--
This campaign was created with CitizenSpeak. Visit us online at http://citizenspeak.org
