To the Editor:

Princeton has a powerful lobby for bicyclists. Who is looking after pedestrians?

The time is right to establish a consistent 25 mph speed limit for all residential roads.

In 2012 Princeton adopted Complete Streets policy with the goal of making Princeton a more pedestrian friendly and bike friendly community. A Complete Street is a roadway that is safe not only for motor vehicles, but also for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Residential roads, especially roads near schools, parks, and a community hub (Princeton Shopping Center), need to be zoned no higher than 25 mph so people can walk to nearby destinations.

A 25 mph speed zone posting informs motorists they are traveling through a residential district and they need to slow down and watch out for children, seniors, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Township traffic officials have a long history of assigning high speed zones on residential streets — Terhune Road 30 mph, 35 mph; Snowden Lane 35 mph; North Harrison 30 mph; Stuart Road 35 mph.

Posting high speed postings on residential roads directly contradicts Complete Streets Policy.

Princeton Council cannot in good conscience adopt a Bicycle Plan into the Master Plan without also adopting a 25 mph speed limit policy for all residential roads. Most residential roads are already zoned 25 mph.

The difference between a posted 25 mph speed limit and a posted 30 mph means little to a motorist, but it can mean the difference between life and death to a cyclist or a pedestrian.

Carolyn Barnshaw

Terhune Road