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With goals that range from uniformed bike racks to smart road design that accommodates all modes of transportation, the recently formed the Asbury Park Complete Streets Coalition is holding its first public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Cowerks, located at 619 Lake Ave.

The grassroots committee of concerned residents is led by Pam Lamberton, Doug McQueen, Joe Grillo, Paula “Polli” Schildge, and Michael Kushner

“If you plan a thoroughfare and it is designed for automobiles only and in that design the goal is to get automobiles from point A to point B as quickly as possible then that is what you are going to get,” Lamberton said. “There is no accommodation for pedestrians and no accommodation for bicycles, those most vulnerable people in the city are going to be at the mercy of automobiles.”

The Coalition’s members have spent the past few months gathering data, doing research and speaking to city businesses.

“This is really about creating greater accessibility for everyone in Asbury Park,” Schlidge said. “It’s not just about bikes, but safe transportation for pedestrians, scooters, wheelchairs, skateboarders.”

The group has studied the effect piano key crosswalks have on the flow of transportation, the difference between dedicated bike lanes and shared sharrows, as well as Department of Transportation’s proposed Road Diet.

“This is a physical way to connect one part of the city to another in a uniformed way that permits safety and accessibility,” Grillo said.

During the meeting, the Coalition will discuss cross walks, bike racks, traffic signals, and the proposed Route 71 Road Diet.

“We want people to be safe as they travel from the east side of town to the west, and from the north to south,” Kushner said.

They will look to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, screen the documentary “Bikes vs Cars” at Showroom, hold a Bike Safety Rally, and conduct a Fun Ride across the city.

For more information, visit the Asbury Park Complete Streets Coalition Facebook page.

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