Maplewood is taking a step that officials and advocates say will improve cyclist safety - installing bike lanes along busy Parker Avenue.

“Even though it’s just a line of paint, we’re excited for it,” said cyclist Martin Ceperely. He rides in the “SOMa Bike Bus,” where parents ride their bikes to school with their kids on Fridays, instead of taking the school bus.

But this “line of paint” has drawn a line in the sand in Maplewood among those who support the new bike lanes and those who don’t.

The ordinance, passed unanimously by the township, creates permanent bike lanes along Parker Avenue from Maplewood to Boyden avenues, and shared vehicle-bike lanes from Boyden to Irvington avenues.

“[Parker] is a very busy street,” said Cynthia Medina, of Maplewood. “We’ve seen multiple accidents in the small period of time that we’ve lived here. So, we think that bike lanes will help reduce the speed.”

“If there’s someone biking, you don’t have to do anything different,” Ceperley said. “You just have to slow down and give them four feet. That’s the law in New Jersey - bikers need 4 feet of space.”

Those who oppose the ordinance didn’t want to speak on camera, but they told News 12 that they weren’t convinced the lanes would actually make cycling on Parker safer, because it is such a busy road. It also eliminates parking there.

The town passed another ordinance creating parking permits for those who live along these bike lanes. These let them park on side streets during some times that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

Mayor Nancy Adams provided News 12 with the following statement:

“The Parker Avenue bike lane project has been thoroughly reviewed through multiple public meetings, where residents—both strongly in favor and strongly opposed—shared their views. After careful consultation from traffic engineers and consideration of safety data and community feedback, the Township is moving forward with a plan that reflects our commitment to safer streets for all users while continuing to listen to and address community concerns.”