Narberth Borough and Lower Merion Township are coordinating with the Montgomery County Planning Commission to develop an Active Transportation Plan to support safe and comfortable transportation alternatives for our communities to walk, bicycle, and roll to our local destinations. The ATP will provide specific recommendations to make active transportation safer and more appealing to our community.
Active Transportation Community Survey
Narberth Borough and Lower Merion Township are conducting a community-wide survey to gather input on Active Transportation needs and preferences. The data collected from the survey will help inform biking and pedestrian improvements in our region, including development of the Main Line Greenway and targeted pedestrian infrastructure.
*NEW* Survey Memo – 4/8/2024
Steering Committee Meeting 9/13/2023
The Steering Committee held its first meeting on 9/13/2023 at Narberth Borough Hall to review and discuss the first phase of deliverables, which included an audit of current and planned active transportation networks, policies, and programs, as well as relevant demographic data.
- Meeting Notes
- Meeting Presentation
- Demographic Analysis
- Review of Existing Active Transportation Plans and Policies
- Draft Existing & Planned Active Transportation Plan Network Map
If you have questions about the Active Transportation Plan, please email Councilmember Jean Burock at jburock@narberthpa.gov.
Main Line Greenway
The Main Line Greenway concept originally started in 2017 as a grassroots-driven effort by the Narberth Cycling Club, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, and other community advocates to identify safe bicycling routes from our neighborhoods to the greater Circuit Trails network using existing low-stress streets and multi-use paths. Lower Merion Township staff collaborated with community advocates to organize a series of community rides to gather feedback and input, and to develop and refine the routes. Narberth Borough and Lower Merion Township are now coordinating with Montgomery County Planning Commission on advancing it to the next phase of planning and implementation, through the Lower Merion Narberth Active Transportation Plan initiative.
The Main Line Greenway connects Narberth Borough to the larger regional trail networks, green spaces, commercial districts, schools and colleges, from Bala Cynwyd to Villanova. It will provide safe access for the community to safely travel by bicycle from Narberth to regional parks and arboretums, the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, the Schuylkill River Trail, Manayunk, downtown Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, and Bryn Mawr.
Narberth has committed funds for pavement markings and signage for segments of the route that will run through our borough. Implementation may also include traffic calming measures and intersection safety improvements, including the crossing at Wynnewood Road and Woodside Ave.
Benefits:
- Reduced speeds: The Main Line Greenway route will prioritize the safety of all users, through the use of traffic calming measures, allowing people to bike more comfortably and safely.
- Safer crossings: Intersections along the Greenway would be improved with infrastructure to better accommodate the movement of both bicycles and vehicles.
- Reduced Congestion: With more widespread adoption and usage of the Greenway, we can reduce the volume of short distance vehicle trips, which would reduce vehicle volumes, and further encourage more bicyclists to use the Greenway for local trips.
- Health: We can create a healthier community by allowing our residents to safely bike to their destinations.
- Sustainability: As transportation contributes to nearly a 1/3 of all greenhouse gas emissions, the Greenway can help reduce our carbon footprint and change how our community will get to work, to the store, or to dining destinations.
- Equity: The Greenway would provide an accessible and affordable transportation choice for the significant number of households in our community that have no car or 1 car.
On 4/20/2023 Borough Council passed Resolution 2023-05 formally supporting the Main Line Greenway.
On 10/4/2023, Lower Merion Board of Commissioners received a presentation from Planning Staff for the preliminary concept for the Main Line Greenway, and approved funding for the design, fabrication, and installation of wayfinding signage for the first phase (eastern segment) of the route.
Want to learn more or get involved?
The best way to get involved is check out the route and test out the Main Line Greenway for yourself and provide feedback. Please visit the Main Line Greenway website for more information.