North Haven Village is one of the more civilized places around, simply because of the presence of well-marked bike lanes.

The Town of Southampton has tried to implement bike lanes with limited success. There was a plan about two years ago to create a bike path throughout Southampton Town, from the western side of the canal through Sagaponack. It was to run along the railroad tracks and connect with a similar trail in East Hampton. Residents protested the ill-fated plan, not because they did not want bike lanes, but because there was disagreement over the route and the potential widening of roads. Usage of eminent domain to seize front lawns for a bike path was not particularly popular.  In addition, the Village of East Hampton apparently refused to participate.

The residents of Bridgehampton and Sag Harbor have been actively expressing their support of bike lanes for years.  This need has grown as our roads have become more congested and dangerous. But what we need are north/south paths, taking us from home to the beach and town. In other words, useful paths, that will allow us to use our bicycles as modes of transportation. What we do not need are lengthy paths running from Remsenberg to Montauk along the train tracks. 

The saga of the Ocean Road bike lanes illustrates the frustration. After the budget for these lanes was allocated several years ago, the execution was neglected by the Town Highway Department for more than a year. After much community uproar, the lanes were then painted, but painted incorrectly. Then the lanes were "patched" with additional wider lines.  Now we are told by the Town that the full lanes will be implemented this fall—running from the Highway to the beach.  We're waiting.