Paul, a member of the committee, announced the plan to remove the bike lane and reclaim 11 parking spaces, transitioning the area to a shared lane. This decision comes amidst ongoing concerns about parking shortages in Cape May. Paul noted, “I just wanted to give you a heads up that that’ll that that restriping will probably be happening over the next…month,” acknowledging the critical nature of parking in the area. The move to reintroduce parking while maintaining safety sparked a discussion on the challenges of balancing the needs of cyclists with those of motorists. Paul emphasized the difficulty in finding alternatives, stating, “It’s too difficult…we don’t really have all their alternatives to provide.”

The meeting also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between Cape May and West Cape May regarding the pedestrian bicycle bridge project. West Cape May is leading the project, with their engineer working on the design.

Another topic of interest was the progress on the city’s draft environmental plan, which is nearing completion. The plan involves coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other environmental permitting agencies. Once the draft receives council approval, the city will co-sign the permit application to the Department of Environmental Protection. The potential collaboration with West Cape May on a county grant application, with a proposed 50/50 funding split, was also discussed, though uncertainties regarding the prioritization of bike programs in the county remain.

Attention then shifted to the Lafayette Street Trails, set to open by May 15th, with plans to make them accessible by Memorial Day. The first phase of the Lafayette Street Park includes a bocce ball court, a new dog park, and an open space field, with a connecting sidewalk path to enhance safety for school children. The committee emphasized the importance of these developments in providing safer routes and recreational opportunities for the community.

Discussions also touched on existing bike paths and infrastructure, particularly on Pennsylvania Avenue, where no bike paths currently exist. The committee acknowledged the need for either traffic calming measures or speed reductions in the area. The topic of speed humps was briefly mentioned, with the proposal awaiting further consideration.

David Sheffler, the Recreation Director for Cape May, was introduced and provided updates on the new community center project. Though not officially open, the center is partially usable for fitness programs, with future classes planned. Sheffler also discussed a health and wellness program for city employees, potentially extending to the community. Incorporating bike safety into this wellness initiative was proposed, with suggestions for a bike safety clinic and the addition of bike racks at the community center.

The meeting further explored the management of low-speed vehicles (LSVs) as the summer season approaches, focusing on enhancing safety and compliance, especially regarding child safety seats. A new summer sergeant is expected to increase patrols, targeting bike safety, helmet usage, and proper travel directions.

The committee also discussed the current parking situation in Cape May, highlighting ongoing construction on Franklin Street, which is expected to add eight parking spots. The long-standing topic of a potential parking garage was revisited, although maximizing existing parking remains a priority. Improving signage and extending shuttle service hours were identified as key strategies to enhance accessibility and convenience.