GREATER The Greater Nyack Bicycle and Pedestrian NYACK Master Plan will address key walking and BIKE biking challenges in the Nyack river PED villages and the school district. MASTER PLAN

Strengthens schools Supports healthy and communities lifestyles

WHY? Helps improve access Provides an affordable Encouraging to schools, businesses, alternative to driving walking and and other destinations biking...

Can reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality

Walk or The Greater Nyack Bicycle & Pedestrian bike? Master Plan has three major goals:

We want to hear Improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety for all from you! 1 regardless of age, ability, and experience. Improve connections among key destinations for Show us where 2 employment, education, culture, recreation, and it’s unsafe or shopping. uncomfortable to walk and bike using our Provide program recommendations that educate users, target undesirable behaviors, interactive map tool at 3 accommodate individuals with special needs, and NyackBikeWalkSurvey.com improve perceptions of bicycling and walking.

or email us at Info@ BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com

BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com GREATER NYACK NETWORK & FACILITIES BIKEPED MASTER PLAN DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

Which intersections have recommended safety improvements? Recommendation Details Potential Champion

1 North Midland Improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by realigning the Village of Upper Nyack Avenue & Old intersection and add facilities such as an RRFB and crosswalks. Mountain Road

2 South Implement zigzag pavement markings Village of South Nyack Broadway & and other traffic calming strategies to Esposito Trail slow northbound vehicles approaching trail crossing.

3 South Franklin Add curb extensions to narrow crossing distance and provide Village of Nyack Street & Depew bus bulbs to improve transit accessibility. Use this intersection as Avenue example for similar intersections in study area.

4 Route 303 & Improve safety for all through traffic calming along intersection Town of Clarkstown Lake Road & approaches and enhance pedestrian and bicycle visibility with Christian Herald facilities such as improved crosswalks. Road

Which corridors have recommended safety improvements? Recommendation Details Potential Champion

5 North Complete multimodal connection to Nyack Beach . Village of Upper Nyack Broadway

6 Gedney Street Complete sidewalk network and add facilities Village of Nyack for bicyclists. Calm traffic to improve safety for all with curb extensions and alternating the side of street with on-street parking.

7 Midland Avenue Implement a chicane as a traffic calming Village of Upper Nyack; strategy using flexible delineators and Village of Nyack curb extensions to encourage slower traffic speeds.

8 Route 303, Improve pedestrian connections between Palisades Center and Town of Clarkstown Casper Hill Valley Cottage through additional crossings and sidewalks along Road, and Route 303, Casper Hill Road, and King’s Highway. King’s Highway

9 Birchwood Create protected walking and bicycling space on key east/west Village of Upper Nyack Avenue and Old connectors in Upper Nyack by converting to one-way couplet. Mountain Road This recommendation can be implemented as a pilot project in Couplet the short-term as a way to test its effectiveness before making the changes permanent.

10 Route 59 Pursue bicycle and pedestrian connections between Downtown Village of Nyack; Town Nyack and Palisades Center. of Clarkstown

11 Route 9W Implement traffic calming strategies south of Main Street that Village of Nyack; improve biking and walking safety while meeting NYSDOT design Village of South Nyack; guidelines. NYSDOT

12 Main Street and Endorse existing plan for improving pedestrian and cyclist Village of Nyack; Broadway visibility along both corridors; traffic calming measures on Main NYSDOT Street west of Franklin Street.

BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com GREATER NYACK NETWORK & FACILITIES BIKEPED MASTER PLAN DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

Rockland Lake Congers Lake

VALLEY COTTAGE

Hook Mountain State Park OLD MILL RD CORPORATE WAY SEDGE RD

LAKE RD RIDGE RD DeForest Lake

4

9W 5

8 LOCUST DR UPPER NYACK

STORMS RD CHRISTIAN HERALD RD 303 MOUNTAINVIEW AV 1 9 N BROADWAY 9

CASTLE HEIGHTS AV

N MIDLAND AV

7 NYACK

10 FOURTH AV HIGH AV 59 N FRANKLIN ST 6 DEPEW AV 12 WALDRON AV 3 GILLIS AV 11 ELYSIAN AV

TERRACE DR

CLINTON AV SOUTH NYACK

SHADYSIDE AV 2

Blauvelt State Park 287 84

UPPER GRAND VIEW

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BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com GREATER NYACK NETWORK & FACILITIES BIKEPED MASTER PLAN DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

What other improvements does the plan recommend? Recommendation Details Potential Champion

Gateway Signage Add gateway signage and landscaping treatments that Towns and Villages incorporate area branding efforts.

Shoulder Coordinate with local, regional, and state agencies to assess the Towns and Villages Repainting feasibility of shoulder widening when roads are repaved. Program

ADA-compliant Ensure biking and walking facilities are Towns and Villages Facility Assessment accessible to people with disabilities as defined by American with Disabilities Act (ADA) design guidelines.

Designate School Install zigzag pavement markings Towns and Villages; Slow Zones with along roadways as they approach Nyack Union Free Unique Pavement schools to alert drivers. School District Markings

Crosswalk Coordinate local, regional, and state agencies to Towns and Villages Repainting repaint crosswalks in “continental style” Program whenever repainting is scheduled.

Esposito Trail Side Build a paved side path on Esposito from Clinton Avenue to Cedar Village of South Nyack; Path Hill Avenue. Village of Nyack

Multimodal Link Endorse green space concept at 626 N Broadway with a Village of Upper Nyack through Planned meandering path for recreational use and a separate, more direct Green Space on path for improving east/west travel options. North Broadway

On-Street Determine potential locations that might benefit from on-street Village of Nyack Parking Study for parking removal to allow for more sidewalk space. Downtown Nyack

Transit Stop Implement transit stop improvements Rockland County Improvements that upgrade pedestrian visibility and Department of comfort using bus bulbs, benches, Transportation; Coach shelters, and bus route information USA signs.

BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com GREATER NYACK POLICIES & PROGRAMS BIKEPED MASTER PLAN DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

How do the recommendations address road behavior? Recommendation Details Potential Champion

Road Safety Coordinate with local agencies and organizations to develop a Towns and Villages; Campaign for All road safety campaign that regularly educates all roadway users Rockland County DOT Users on appropriate and dangerous road behavior and the legal rights of pedestrians and cyclists.

Local Law Incorporate education about existing legislation for bicyclists Local law enforcement Enforcement and pedestrians into both initial onboarding training for local law agencies Multimodal Training enforcement as well as required annual workshops. Programs

School Bicycle Annual multi-week bicycle safety class that Nyack Union Free Safety Class is woven into the physical education School District curriculum for kids to provide lessons on bike safety.

What are the policy recommendations for government agencies? Recommendation Details Potential Champion

Complete Streets Pursue one consistent Complete Streets Ordinance across all Towns and Villages ordinance Nyack river villages and the school district to implement proper street design for all users.

Bicycle Facility Implement ordinance to ensure the design of bicycle facilities Towns and Villages Design Standards adheres to nationally-recognized guidelines.

Sidewalk Develop a multi-jurisdictional plan to maintain good condition Towns and Villages Maintenance Plan of existing sidewalks to ensure they are accessible to all users, regardless of age, ability or skills.

Bike Share Program Monitor the development of potential Rockland County Partnership regional bike share programs, and consider Department of Opportunities opportunities for partnerships. Transportation

Increase Bicycle Include bicycle parking facilities on all public properties. For Towns & Villages; Parking private property, develop guidelines for minimum amount of Private developers recommended bicycle parking for various types of uses, and provide incentives to encourage developers to accommodate bike parking.

Default speed limit Lower speed limits to no more than 25 MPH on local roads Towns and Villages maximum of 25 throughout the Nyack river villages and school district. MPH across study area

BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com GREATER NYACK POLICIES & PROGRAMS BIKEPED MASTER PLAN DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

How does this plan lay the groundwork for continued community engagement? Recommendation Details Potential Champion

Active Organize a multi-jurisdictional task force to champion bicycle and Towns and Villages; Transportation Task pedestrian improvements and advocate for a level of consistency Rockland County Dept Force in implementation and enforcement across the area. of Health; Rockland County DOT; NYSDOT Advocacy groups

School Bicycle Develop a program that would oversee the Nyack Union Free and Pedestrian development of various initiatives to School District Promotion Program promote bicycling and walking to schools. See “Promoting Walking & Biking to School” board for more info.

Neighborhood Map various walking routes through different neighborhoods and Advocacy groups; Walks encourage community-led neighborhood walking programs. Rockland County Department of Health; Rockland County Tourism

Maintenance Develop an app that allows community members to submit Towns and Villages Request & maintenance requests and review status updates on submissions. Reporting App

Community Service Create an internship or volunteer position to help control and Towns and Villages Officers (CSOs) direct traffic upon the opening of the shared use path. internship position

Active Support the creation of a local community Advocacy groups Transportation center that offers free maintenance and Community Center bike safety courses.

Annual Bicycle Organize and facilitate bicycle events to help raise awareness of Advocacy groups; Events bicycling, promote public health, and encourage new users while Chamber of Commerce; also attracting bicycle tourists to invest in the local economy. Rockland County Tourism

Safe Streets for Develop comprehensive active Towns and Villages; Seniors Initiative transportation programs for older adults Rockland County including information on pedestrian safety, Department of Health; bicycling, fall prevention, and fitness. Rockland County DOT

BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com GREATER NYACK POLICIES & PROGRAMS BIKEPED MASTER PLAN DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

How will this plan promote walking and biking to school? A central goal of the Greater Nyack Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan is to improve access to area schools by walking and biking. In addition to a more connected network of sidewalks, crossings, and bike facilities, students at the outreach event at Nyack High School expressed an interest in programs that would foster a culture of walking and biking. The following list of potential initiatives includes ideas students discussed as well as programs implemented across the country.

Walking School Bus and Bicycle Train Walking School Buses and Bicycle Trains are used by parents in school districts across the country. Led by a parent, the group of pedestrians or cyclists pick up students at their homes en route to the school.

School-Sponsored Bicycle Club The bicycle club would be run by high school students. They could organize and facilitate various events, such as an ambassador program to pair high school students with those at the middle school or elementary school.

Bike or Walk to School Day Students suggested that a Bike or Walk to School Day could be one way to encourage active modes. This event could be associated with a food drive or fundraiser where businesses could sponsor students who walk or bike.

Safety from the Start Parent Workshop This workshop could be for parents to share ways they can help their kids get to school by walking or on a bike. It could help plan a route or connect parents to existing Walking School Buses and Bicycle Trains.

Walk and Bicycle Passport Program Students get a stamp each time they walk or bike to school, and when the passport is full, it can be redeemed for selected items at participating businesses.

BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com GREATER NYACK IMPLEMENTATION BIKEPED MASTER PLAN GUIDING PRINCIPLE: ACTION!

Rapid Implementation

Image: Julie Campoli

• Low-Cost | Temporary or Interim | Flexible

To make the plan a reality a greater reliance on phased or “rapid implementation” approaches using less expensive materials can be effective and efficient. This will not only bring substantial transportation benefits sooner, but allow the transportation network to be adapted as mobility patterns and technologies continue to shift in the years to come.

Project Funding • Bundle funds from a variety of sources

• A holistic street reconstruction approach

Funding is limited, so the projects identified in this plan will require bundling funding from a variety of local, state, federal, and private sources. Communities can also better coordinate street reconstruction projects so that when streets are dug up and repaved they get put back together with the types of projects outlined in this plan.

This holistic approach will allow each community to leverage a variety of funding sources that can be combined to more quickly build a street network that works for all.

We Can Do This! This plan is ambitious, as it should be! Small tweaks and continued village and community leadership will result in a modernized, attractive, and safe transportation network that offers city residents and workers real choices in how they get around.

BikeWalkGreaterNyack.com What is this? GREATER The Nyack Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Team NYACK developed a temporary demonstration project to show ways that the walking and biking environment could improve in the Nyack river villages and school BIKEPED district. MASTER PLAN Why? The demonstration project aims to start a conversation about how the Nyack river villages and school district can become a more pleasant place to walk and bike. We want to hear about your experiences using Nyack area roads and where improvements are needed most in your community.

How can walking and biking be more pleasant?

CURB EXTENSIONS CROSSING UPGRADES

Photo by Street Plans Photo by Street Plans

Curb extensions expand sidewalks into the roadway. This reduces Crossing upgrades enhance existing crosswalk markings, outline the crossing distance for pedestrians, makes pedestrians more visible to where a new crosswalk should go, or build temporary refuge islands. moving vehicles, and encourages slower driving speeds. Curb extensions A median refuge island is a protected area between travel lanes that can be painted, filled in with planters, and demarcated with cones. provides a safe space for pedestrians crossing the street. These refuge islands aim to increase visibility and decrease vehicle speeds.

BIKE FACILITIES WAYFINDING

Photo by Street Plans Photo by Richard Masoner

Roadways with bike facilities use striping and pavement markings Directional signage helps pedestrians and bicyclists access businesses, to designate where bicyclist may ride without interference from motor parks, transit stations, and other amenities. Temporary coroplast signage vehicles. In some cases, a striped buffer or physical barrier can be added can be posted on existing poles or staked in the ground or planters. between travel lanes to improve bicyclist comfort. Signage can measure walking or biking distance using miles, feet, or minutes.

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