The latest issue of the Safe Routes Scoop is now available. Read the newsletter at:http://policy.rutgers.edu/VTC/bikeped/Safe_Routes_Scoop/Vol4_Issue2/index.html
The Safe Routes Scoop, a newsletter for the New Jersey Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, will keep you informed about SRTS news, events, local programs, and available resources. Use this newsletter to promote SRTS and to update your members and partners on projects and opportunities.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
VTC announces new Safe Routes Scoop
Below is copy of the announcement released earlier today from the folks at the Voorhees Transportation Center regarding the latest edition of the Safe Routes Scoop. This edition has some excellent information regarding engineering practices that effect all types of bike and pedestrians projects and not just those that directly involve Safe Routes to School projects. As such it's a must read for all bike/ped advocates particularly those just starting out. - Ed.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
News you can use - March 8th 2011
Sorry I've been away from the blog for a week. The weather has warmed up and the lure of the roads traversing New Jersey's beautiful countryside has proven to be too strong for this cooped up cyclist to resist. Plus, I finally got a job! (yeah!) I've been collecting these articles for nearly a month but they are all important, so pardon if there is a lot of them. Keep on walkin' and rolin'!
- Andy B.
New Jersey News
Judge throws out confession in hit-run death of 'Idol' hopeful
Asbury Park Press • Monday, March 7th 2011
State gives flat tire to Morristown bike plan
MorristownGreen • Monday, February 21st 2011
Feature: Rage Against Your Machine
Outside Magazine • March, 2011
An excellent, must read piece.
Bike Sharing Coming To Hoboken & Jersey City?
Planetizen • Saturday, February 19th 2011
George Street construction project to reopen in spring
The Daily Targum • Thursday, February 24th 2011I'
I'm planning an in-depth review of this project soon.
Op-Ed: On-Street Protected Bike Facilities Boost Mobility While Lessening Congestion
In Transition Magazine (NJTPA) • Winter, 2011
Being an LCI, can you find the sentence in this otherwise great piece that I have a real problem with? (hint - It's toward the end)
Crashes
- Andy B.
New Jersey News
Judge throws out confession in hit-run death of 'Idol' hopeful
Asbury Park Press • Monday, March 7th 2011
State gives flat tire to Morristown bike plan
MorristownGreen • Monday, February 21st 2011
Feature: Rage Against Your Machine
Outside Magazine • March, 2011
An excellent, must read piece.
Bike Sharing Coming To Hoboken & Jersey City?
Planetizen • Saturday, February 19th 2011
George Street construction project to reopen in spring
The Daily Targum • Thursday, February 24th 2011I'
I'm planning an in-depth review of this project soon.
Op-Ed: On-Street Protected Bike Facilities Boost Mobility While Lessening Congestion
In Transition Magazine (NJTPA) • Winter, 2011
Being an LCI, can you find the sentence in this otherwise great piece that I have a real problem with? (hint - It's toward the end)
Crashes
Friday, March 04, 2011
Evesham Resident Wants Sidewalks - Gets Results
Full article in the Burlington County Times (Phillyburbs.com)
Evesham resident Jonathan Allen speaks out about lack of sidewalks along Elmwood Road near the Inglis Gardens at Evesham, an independent living facility for adults living with disabilities.
Allen one of about a dozen residents at the facility who walks along Elmwood brought his concerns to the Evesham Township Council on Tuesday and won support:
By Wednesday, Mayor Randy Brown said they’ve already begun work on a plan to expand the sidewalks in the area from Inglis Gardens to Route 70 on both sides of the road, install ramps that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at Route 70 and Evesboro-Medford Road intersections.
“We’re going to fill the void from Inglis toward Route 70,” Brown said. “We’re hoping to get the sidewalks in within 60 to 90 days.”
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Evesham resident Jonathan Allen speaks out about lack of sidewalks along Elmwood Road near the Inglis Gardens at Evesham, an independent living facility for adults living with disabilities.
Allen one of about a dozen residents at the facility who walks along Elmwood brought his concerns to the Evesham Township Council on Tuesday and won support:
By Wednesday, Mayor Randy Brown said they’ve already begun work on a plan to expand the sidewalks in the area from Inglis Gardens to Route 70 on both sides of the road, install ramps that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at Route 70 and Evesboro-Medford Road intersections.
“We’re going to fill the void from Inglis toward Route 70,” Brown said. “We’re hoping to get the sidewalks in within 60 to 90 days.”
Kudos to Jonathan for being a champion for local pedestrian issues and to the Evesham Township Council for moving one step closer towards complete streets in their community.
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Monday, February 28, 2011
Sights and details from the 2011 NJ Bike and Walk Summit
UPDATED!
Without a doubt the 2011 New Jersey Bike and Walk Summit hosted by the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition was a great success. The event was held in the beautifully exquisite Masonic Temple directly across the Trenton Barracks and a block form the State House.
For a general gist of the days events, the summit agenda pretty much covers most of what you need to know. The expected highlight of the day was the keynote address given by Rutgers' and New Jersey's own Prof. John Pucher, famous the world over for his groundbreaking bicycle and pedestrian research. As is typical of the man, he gave one of his memorable presentations that had the crowed laughing and roweled up. However there was much more to the summit including a number of neat and unexpected highlights that were not on the schedule.
First, Jim Nicholson was given an award for his leadership role in founding the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition. I've told him personally but I think every bicyclist and pedestrian in New Jersey owes him a debt of gratitude for getting the Coalition off and running.
The other big highlight of the day was the awarding of a $5,000 grant from the good folks at the REI to help continue to good work of the NJ BikeSchool (link to in depth presentation about program). Founded through the incredibly hard fought efforts of Leigh Ann Von Hagen at the Voorhees Transportation Center, NJ BikeSchool brings League of American Bicyclists, Cycling Instructors to schools around the state so that children are given a solid education on the safe operation of a bicycle.
So if you didn't make it this year, you sure missed out. For more of the sights from the summit, check out the photo gallery below. Remember though, all photos in this post as well as all other unattributed photos on this blog are copyrighted and I'll only grant permission to copy them if you ask in writing. Enjoy!
I knew that Jen Benepe would have much more extensive look into this years NJ Bike and Walk Summit which is one of the reasons why I didn't really bother going into great detail here. Plus, when I cover events, I often just shoot from the hip. Jen, with a degree in journalism could be seen diligently scribbling on her notepad all day at the Summit. I wasn't willing to compete against that. For more in-depth coverage of the Summit, take a look at Part 1 of Jen's coverage on her Benepe's Bike Blog.
 |
| The impressive Trenton Masonic Temple. |
Without a doubt the 2011 New Jersey Bike and Walk Summit hosted by the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition was a great success. The event was held in the beautifully exquisite Masonic Temple directly across the Trenton Barracks and a block form the State House.
For a general gist of the days events, the summit agenda pretty much covers most of what you need to know. The expected highlight of the day was the keynote address given by Rutgers' and New Jersey's own Prof. John Pucher, famous the world over for his groundbreaking bicycle and pedestrian research. As is typical of the man, he gave one of his memorable presentations that had the crowed laughing and roweled up. However there was much more to the summit including a number of neat and unexpected highlights that were not on the schedule.
First, Jim Nicholson was given an award for his leadership role in founding the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition. I've told him personally but I think every bicyclist and pedestrian in New Jersey owes him a debt of gratitude for getting the Coalition off and running.
 |
| The crowed gives Jim Nicholson a standing "o" for his work with the Coalition. |
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| Leigh Ann grins ear to ear after receiving the big plastic check. |
Driver assaults 50+ cyclists in Brazilian Critical Mass ride
Two riders in critical condition
I've not always been a big fan of the way some Critical Mass rides have been executed. My take is that these rides should be very passive, follow all vehicle laws and take only one traffic lane when there are several to choose from. I am not sure what the case was here and I am also not familiar with the way Brazilian law handles bicyclists so I can't add anything else except that I'm really surprised that this hasn't happened during any U.S. Critical Mass as of yet.
The video above is the version that actually includes footage of the attack that happened this past weekend. It is all very violent and graphic so be warned! I've embedded this version (there are less graphic edits) because I feel that it is critically important for people to understand the violence that an automobile is capable of perpetrating. This is also one of the rare video examples of a car crashing into one or more cyclists and I again feel that it is important for all people understand how violent a car / bicycle crash really is.
Such a horrible event saddens all of us at WalkBikeJersey and we wish (and pray) for nothing but the best for all the victims of this savage attack.
WBJ was made aware of this incident from Streetsblog LA. More info about the tragedy can be found there.
I've not always been a big fan of the way some Critical Mass rides have been executed. My take is that these rides should be very passive, follow all vehicle laws and take only one traffic lane when there are several to choose from. I am not sure what the case was here and I am also not familiar with the way Brazilian law handles bicyclists so I can't add anything else except that I'm really surprised that this hasn't happened during any U.S. Critical Mass as of yet.
The video above is the version that actually includes footage of the attack that happened this past weekend. It is all very violent and graphic so be warned! I've embedded this version (there are less graphic edits) because I feel that it is critically important for people to understand the violence that an automobile is capable of perpetrating. This is also one of the rare video examples of a car crashing into one or more cyclists and I again feel that it is important for all people understand how violent a car / bicycle crash really is.
The primary lesson that we should take from this tragedy is that there is little difference between the potential violence and carnage that can be perpetrated using an assault weapon or an automobile. This video is proof of that and it's time that our laws acknowledge this reality!
Such a horrible event saddens all of us at WalkBikeJersey and we wish (and pray) for nothing but the best for all the victims of this savage attack.
WBJ was made aware of this incident from Streetsblog LA. More info about the tragedy can be found there.
LAB president, Andy Clarke to speak at next WWBPA meeting.
Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, (www.bikeleague.org) , the oldest national bicycling organization, will speak at the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance’s annual meeting on Thursday March 17. LAB recognizes bicycle-friendly communities, businesses – even universities. Andy will talk about what we can all do to make our communities friendlier for bicyclists and pedestrians and why it matters.
In addition, WWBPA trustees will talk about our plans for 2011, including our second annual Community Walk, our West Windsor Bikes: lose the training wheels event at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market on May 21 and our efforts to expand West Windsor-Plainsboro’s participation in International Walk to School Day. We’ll also be taking suggestions from members about projects and activities that they’d like to see. In addition, we’ll be honoring three people for their service to the community and introducing our next group of student advisors.
It all takes place at 7 p.m. March 17 at the West Windsor Senior Center, off Clarksville Road at North Post Road, next to the post office. Light refreshments will be provided.
West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance
Follow our progress on www.wwbpa.org
Directions to the March 17th WWBPA meeting at the West Windsor Senior Center (next to the Post Office).
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Friday, February 25, 2011
CBS 2 News questions Hoboken's bike initiative
If any of you read Streetsblog NYC (or actually watch CBS 2 News), you will know that for some odd reason, the editorial staff at the Channel 2 News seems to have it out for New York City's innovative and bold bicycle planning initiative. Well, not content to just focus their displeasure on only NYCDoT on this issue, the news staff CBS 2 has crossed the Hudson to take a shot across the bow of New Jersey's most progressive town on bike/ped planning, Hoboken.
While their bias is again heavily slanted, as is evident in the way the piece opens up, it’s not as bad as I feared it could have been, particularly if you saw any of Marcia Kramer's truly anti-bike lane pieces from the past 6 months.
Unfortunately CBS 2 News never got anyone from the City of Hoboken, like the mayor or Ian Sacs (Director of Transportation and Parking for the City of Hoboken), to rebut any of the article's insinuations. If they did, they might have been informed that bike riding on the sidewalk is a sign that the city streets are perceived by some cyclists to be too dangerous to ride on. The best remedy for this problem would be some sort of bicycle facility, like a bike lane, sharrow or even a cycletrack to give cyclists a more comfortable and appropriate place to ride. This is a much more effective solution to prevent cyclists riding on the sidewalk then any level of police enforcement.
Thanks goes to Streetsblog for staying on top of daily local news articles focused on sustainable transportation issues.
While their bias is again heavily slanted, as is evident in the way the piece opens up, it’s not as bad as I feared it could have been, particularly if you saw any of Marcia Kramer's truly anti-bike lane pieces from the past 6 months.
Unfortunately CBS 2 News never got anyone from the City of Hoboken, like the mayor or Ian Sacs (Director of Transportation and Parking for the City of Hoboken), to rebut any of the article's insinuations. If they did, they might have been informed that bike riding on the sidewalk is a sign that the city streets are perceived by some cyclists to be too dangerous to ride on. The best remedy for this problem would be some sort of bicycle facility, like a bike lane, sharrow or even a cycletrack to give cyclists a more comfortable and appropriate place to ride. This is a much more effective solution to prevent cyclists riding on the sidewalk then any level of police enforcement.
Thanks goes to Streetsblog for staying on top of daily local news articles focused on sustainable transportation issues.
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