Daniel Baer isn't an avid biker—he's a runner—but he knows a lot of people who are.

The Township Committee member has been working for several years to create a bicycle route in Millburn-Short Hills for those bicyclists.

"I see people ride bikes all over town, and I want them to have a safer environment," he said.

The initial plan for the first leg of the bicycle network will be unveiled for public comment during a meeting on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

The first leg of the bicycle network would run along Glen Avenue from Brookside Drive to Ridgewood Road on the Maplewood border. A leg would also run from Glen Avenue to Millburn Avenue on Lackawanna Place to create a link to downtown.

A lane would be created along the shoulder of the road with signage, but it would be a shared lane so no parking would be lost, Mayor Sandra Haimoff said.

The town received a grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions for the plan, and a public meeting for comments is required as part of the grant. Baer said they would hold the meeting for feedback whether it was required or not. The plan will eventually need an approval from the Township Committee.

The plan was also to link to a potential bicycle path in Maplewood so the two downtown areas could be linked, he said.

"We can dream big and accomplish some of it a little at a time," said Haimoff.

There were also thoughts to link the Short Hills section of town with the Short Hills train station, she said. The route could also go into Chatham, she said.

There are also thoughts to putting a bicycle lane on Wyoming Avenue to South Orange Avenue, but it's a county road so it's trickier, Haimoff said.

Shared lanes for parking and bicycling are not allowed on county roads, she said, so there would be a loss of parking if a lane was created.

"It's not up for discussion at this time because it's a whole other issue because we need the parking," she said.

Baer said he wants to see an increase in alternative modes of transportation and reduce carbon emissions.

"Sixty percent of vehicle trips are less than five miles," he said. "It's an enormous waste of gas and strain on the environment. If we got out of our cars and on to bikes, it would be a benefit to the environment."

Haimoff said the bicycle network supports a popular recreational activity and exercise, but it also is an alternative to help keep carbon emissions down.

"If someone has to do a downtown errand, they might decide to take the bike because of this," she said.

Those who attend Wednesday's meeting will be entered for a door prize of a free bicycle tune-up at High Gear Cyclery.