Encuesta sobre el pulso de la comunidad

As we continue to gather information from residents, here is a summary of key themes from the on-going Encuesta sobre el pulso de la comunidad. It’s not too late to submit your own responses!

2. Lack of Sidewalks & Bike Infrastructure

• Many neighborhoods lack continuous sidewalks, crosswalks, or bike lanes.
• Some sidewalks abruptly end or are obstructed.
• People are forced to walk on roads or in ditches.
• Rails-to-Trails praised, but connections and access points need improvement.

3. Unsafe Intersections & Visibility

• Intersections like Dutchmans & Aurora, Rt 50 & Dover Rd, Oxford Rd & Bypass are called out as dangerous.
• Poor visibility due to shrubs, parked cars, or road design is a common issue.
• One-way stops and confusing layouts also noted.

4. Aggressive & Distracted Driving

• Frequent mention of drivers not stopping at signs/lights.
• Tailgating, passing on the shoulder, and using phones while driving are big complaints.
• School zones and pickup/drop-off times highlighted as problematic.

Environmental & Community Observations

• Several residents noted deep ditches, no shoulders, and narrow roads as physical dangers.
• Noise pollution and revving trucks also mentioned.
• A few emphasized that they live on quiet streets but feel cut off from walkable destinations due to surrounding road conditions.

Positive Notes

• Some neighborhoods were described as safe, quiet, or low-traffic, especially cul-de-sacs, dead ends, and small communities.
• The Rails-to-Trails system received praise for walkability and safety (though noted as not ideal for cyclists due to frequent crossings).

Common Requests

• More and better sidewalks.
• Traffic calming (e.g. speed bumps, lower limits).
• Pedestrian signals and marked crosswalks.
• Enforcement of speed limits.
• Bicycle lanes or shared-use paths separate from traffic.
• Community education or signage on pedestrian and cyclist rights.

A Summary of Top Concerns

• Speeding and parked cars obstructing visibility
• Lack of sidewalks and crosswalks
• Dangerous intersections and fast traffic
• Bike lanes are either missing or unsafe

Safe Zones:

• Cul-de-sacs, closed neighborhoods, and trails are seen as safer
• Skate parks and specific protected paths were appreciated

Common hopes and needs:

• More dedicated infrastructure (e.g., bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings)
• Lower vehicle speeds and better enforcement of speed limits