Our Story
Building a bike-friendly, pedestrian-safe community in Verona
From NYC to Suburban Verona
Moving to the suburbs from New York City was in some ways paradise and in some ways an adjustment. After 10 years of getting around the boroughs by trains and bikes, adapting to car-dependent New Jersey was a change.
In New Jersey, cars are king! Not only do people need them to get from place to place, but they also take up a majority of what would be good bike space for parking. Dense housing grids with little parking mean people really depend on their cars.
I understand how we got here, but I don't think it's the way we should keep going.
The Vision for Verona
Since buying a house in Verona, I've fallen in love with this small town, which fits into one approximate square mile and one ZIP code. My neighbors told me they've lived here for 60 years, never moved houses, know all their neighbors and love it that way. I would never want to change that, and yet connecting with folks from other sides of town is difficult!
Our town is bisected by two state roadways, which constantly flow with traffic going upwards of 40 miles an hour. For an adult, that's not too scary to stop and look around, but for a young child that could encounter an inattentive driver, even the possibility of this brings stress and near disaster to many parents' minds. I know that is the case for my own daughter and future children as well.
Verona needs a loop.
This protected avenue will enable bikers to get from each quadrant to another smoothly without having to take the direct route across Lakeside Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue. These busy arteries can be crossed in safe areas with buttons and well-marked blinking notifications when pedestrians are available and interested in crossing.
Some level of fairness setting the rights of pedestrians and bikers equal with the rights of cars is overdue and will bring prosperity to the neighborhood.
Meet the Founders
Since moving to Verona in August 2022, I've made other friends who are local residents and major proponents of bike and pedestrian safety.
That's how I met Denis and Elvira Grishin, the proprietors of Voltaire Cycles on Bloomfield Avenue, and Paul Mickiewicz, who is a founder of Bike and Walk Montclair, a registered nonprofit focused on pedestrian safety and advocacy.
It is through this group of friends that we are able to organize and advocate for policy changes in Verona, and we invite you to work with us.
Join the Loop
Ready to see our concrete plans? Explore the detailed proposal with maps, crossing points, and bike infrastructure.