Nassau County has a clear and pressing need for better investment in pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure in a coordinated and transparent process. A county-wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is the best way to ensure Nassau County and its associated municipalities realize the promise of Complete Streets and invest in the health and well being of our citizens and communities.

Biking and walking for transportation on Long Island is difficult.

Nassau County comprises two cities, three towns, 64 villages, and more than 60 unincorporated hamlets. Within each of these units is considerable variety in government composition, which leads to confusion among citizens regarding who is responsible for roadways when asking for improvements such as bicycle lanes and sidewalk accommodations. Furthermore, the patchwork of control results in some communities, such as Freeport and Baldwin, making major investments in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, while neighboring towns do not, resulting in bike lanes that supply only a short stretch of roads and then dump bikers unceremoniously into traffic once they cross municipal boundaries. So too sidewalks that begin and end without warning and leave pedestrians stranded, sometimes on dangerous roadways, without options but to turn around.

These constraints make Long Island difficult to walk or bike around except for the bravest or most desperate of pedestrians and cyclists. However, we can see from interest in the Jones Beach Path and the Long Beach Boardwalk, among others, that plenty of citizens on Long Island crave opportunities to walk and bike safely, including families with young children, the elderly, those with disabilities, and others. Though investment in recreational infrastructure has been improving, very little has been done to invest in infrastructure that promotes transportation across the Island. This is despite the fact that most citizens must cross municipal boundaries to go to work, shop, worship, attend school, and more. The demand for transportation across and around Long Island is high—we can see it demonstrated in the significant congestion present on our roads. Providing alternative forms of transportation, such as walking and biking, serves the dual benefit of improving the health of citizens and improving the wellbeing of communities, by increasing foot traffic in business districts and decreasing the worst effects of congestion and traffic.

Why Nassau needs a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).

A BPAC is composed of citizens, advocates, legislative and executive branch representatives, and planners. Its mission is to provide advisement on plans being proposed for roadway, park, and other system maintenance as well as comprehensive planning. The BPAC also offers a forum whereby citizens can learn about proposals and be provided opportunities for input.

Nassau County has committed to Complete Streets investments, but the current state law merely requires projects to “consider” pedestrian and cyclists in planning. The process is opaque, leaving citizens to wonder if Complete Streets are, in fact, being planned. The BPAC provides clarification on what consideration looks like and offers a forum for presenting proposals and making recommendations publicly.

Because of the patchwork nature of the municipalities in Nassau County and the demonstrated inconsistencies in the types and quality of infrastructure provided for bicyclists and pedestrians, the county is the best municipal level at which to institute a BPAC. Smaller government units will not have the same power to direct comprehensive planning and inter-municipality investments.

Further Resources

Communities across the United States are instituting BPACs at state, region, county, and city levels. These existing BPACs serves as models for Nassau County and as sources of Best Practices in establishing a BPAC.

The League of American Bicyclists has released a Best Practice report that is instructive as to the variety of ways a BPAC might be composed and the benefits and challenges of each. http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/bpac_best_practices(web).pdf

Blog by guest blogger Eva Roberts-Vazquez

How many people can say they are lucky when they find themselves without a vehicle? In June of 2016, when my '99 Ford Taurus needed repairs that didn't make sense to pay for, I cashed it in at the going rate for scrap metal. And I was lucky! I was lucky because: I live just a few miles from my job so I can take the public bus or a taxi, and because one of my work friends carpooled me to work twice a week. I'm also lucky that I could bike and walk to and from work.

Good people sometimes let me use their cars! Friends and neighbors would see me out and about and offer to give me a lift. Sometimes a friend would offer to let me tag along for a trip to the beach or to ride shotgun so I could just get out of town. Once I rented a car to go to a family event in Nassau County and once to the Car-Less LI First Annual Fashion Bike parade held at Hofstra University. Sometimes I took a cab to the train station and then to NYC and beyond. The S92 took me to the Orient Point Ferry and from there I took buses to Maine.

I was quite fortunate that our very own UUCSF is right on the S92 bus route which runs on Sundays! And that our congregation started a green initiative and so I was introduced to Jeanne and now we frequently carpool together.

Others at UUCSF carpool as well. Kent and his daughter carpool with Tom, and sometimes I catch a ride with them to Hampton Bays. Sometimes Tom Murphy carpools with Ken Ettlinger. Many other UU members and friends have helped to keep me and others mobile, and connected to UU-related events and activities.

Some aspects of being without my own car were challenging. Though it‘s not legal to ride on sidewalks, I will confess to riding my bicycle on sidewalks when I felt I would be taking my life in my hands by staying on the street. And yes, not having a car at the ready was wearing at me, being unable to go to social events easily, especially in the evenings and weekends. One other area of hardship was getting to and from appointments, and sometimes I took a $12 cab to the doctor’s.

In September of 2017, just over a year after giving up my car, I finally relented and bought an SUV. Yes, I have increased my carbon footprint (and my expenses.) But now when I carpool I can be the driver sometimes. And I still take the bus when feasible. Let's all look at ways to reduce the amount of pollution we generate. Can we carpool more? Can we bicycle or take the bus more? Pamela and Carl have biked from Sag Harbor to Sunday service. Let's reach out to each other and to our elected reps to promote the use of ride sharing, the use of the public bus, and making the roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Social connection is good for whatever you want to call it... the spirit, the soul, or just a feeling of well-being for us humans.

Addendum: Many people just need some help with figuring out the public bus schedule, and it helps to have someone to ride with at least the first time.

For more info about Suffolk County Transit Information Services call 631-852-5200 M-F 8-4:30. You can get large print and regular print schedules by calling that number, or go to the website: www.sct-bus.org.

The bus costs $2.25, plus 25 cents for a transfer. Student fare is $1.25, ages 14-22, high school/college ID required. Reduced Fare 75 cents: Seniors (over 60), Persons with Disabilities Medicare card holder and Suffolk County Veterans. Persons with valid, municipally-issued cards identifying them as at least 60 years old, or having a mental or physical disability may ride for reduced one-way fare. A valid Medicare card is also accepted as ID. For Disability ID call Suffolk County Office of People with Disabilities 631-853-8333; for Seniors ID call 631-853-8200; Hearing impaired call 631-853-5658

If you are unable to take the public bus due to mental or physical disability, but need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can apply for Suffolk County Accessible Transportation (SCAT) which provides door-to-door service. However, it costs $4 each way. For more info about SCAT, call 631-853-8333.

Another tip: Always get the number for the dispatcher, not just for Suffolk County Transit. Different companies run different routes and you won’t be able to check what's happening with the bus when Suffolk County Transit is closed in the evening or on the weekend.

Eva June Roberts-Vazquez

Why Nassau County Needs a BPAC

My Year of Living Without a Car, 2016-2017