December 2025,

Keeping our most vulnerable road users safe – children, older adults, pedestrians, and bicyclists, remains a challenge for communities everywhere. The Township of Teaneck has faced similar concerns after experiencing multiple crashes, and their proactive response offers a clear road map that other towns can follow.

Community Engagement: Listening First

With support from EZ Ride, Teaneck hosted a community engagement meeting on June 20, 2025, to gather input from residents on ways to improve pedestrian safety. Participants identified several high-risk intersections near Ayers Court and Queen Anne Road, an area with both heavy traffic and active local businesses.

Residents collaborated on potential safety strategies and agreed to test a temporary demonstration project. The goals were simple but powerful: slow vehicle speeds, improve pedestrian visibility, and shorten crossing distances at key intersections.

Demonstration Project: Testing Solutions on the Ground

On September 28, 2025, Teaneck installed temporary pedestrian-safety upgrades, including delineators and painted curb extensions, at the selected intersections. The installation team included Lt. Antinori and Sgt. Brittingham of the Teaneck Police Traffic Unit, Councilwoman Hillary Goldberg, volunteers from the Safe Streets Teaneck coalition, Bergen County Complete Streets, and EZ Ride staff. All materials, such as cones, bollards, reflective tape, signage, and crosswalk paint were provided at no cost by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).

The demonstration ran for two months, concluding in early December. EZ Ride partnered with the township to conduct pre- and post-project surveys, and 325 residents offered detailed feedback to help inform next steps. One key recommendation, from both the Fire Department and township engineers, was to adjust designs so large vehicles, including fire engines, could turn safely into parking areas and onto Queen Anne Road.

Lieutenant Charles Antinori noted, “The temporary demonstration project provided a quick, valuable, and low-cost method of evaluating next steps for future infrastructure improvements. The community feedback gathered was invaluable, and the support of community volunteers and EZ Ride helped make the installation a smooth process.”

A Model for Other Communities

Teaneck’s experience shows how meaningful community engagement and short-term demonstration projects can help towns identify safety priorities, test potential solutions, and build public support. These efforts also strengthen future applications for grants that fund permanent infrastructure improvements.

Congratulations, Teaneck

EZ Ride congratulates the Township of Teaneck for taking concrete steps to make walking and biking safer for everyone. Their leadership and commitment to community-driven planning serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to build safer and more vibrant streets. For guidance on hosting community engagement sessions or implementing your own demonstration projects, please contact [email protected] or call 201-939-4242, option 3.