Building a Bicycle and
Pedestrian Friendly Community
Sunday, May 30 by sandy
Alexander Road could benefit from a "road diet."
The WWBPA believes that Alexander Road and Canal Pointe Boulevard would benefit from road diets. A Seattle study of a road diet on one of its streets notes the following:
Read previous news items about Canal Pointe Boulevard.
4 Comments »Friday, May 28 by sandy
The League of American Bicyclists announced the 2010 Bicycle Friendly States rankings, based on a 95-item questionnaire that evaluates a state’s commitment to bicycling and covers six key areas: legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education and encouragement, evaluation and planning, and enforcement.
New Jersey advanced to 8th place among the states and won Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly State designation. New Jersey was one of only three states that received a Bicycle Friendly Award, with Oregon receiving a Silver designation and Delaware, a Bronze.
View the entire state-ranked list and a breakdown of how the states fared in each evaluation category.
Comments »Wednesday, May 26 by silvia
Sonya and Amelia bike to work and school.
For some, Bike to Work Week meant Bike to School Week. Sonya Legg decided it was time to teach her 10-year old daughter, Amelia, how to ride on the road.
Here’s her inspirational story: “We live in West Windsor and I work on the Princeton Forrestal Campus and my daughter is at Millstone River School. I try to bike to work rather intermittently, so I thought I would use bike-to-work week as the motivation to get started again this year after a long winter break. My daughter has been getting much more confident with her biking, so I thought she was ready to try going on roads, and not just around WW Community Park. She thought it would be fun to bike with me, since her school is on my way to work. So we tried the route a few times at weekends, found out where the bike racks are at the adjacent middle school (thanks to WWBPA people at the WW farmers’ market), checked that her teacher was ok with her bringing her helmet to class, and decided we’d go for it…She’s really enjoying the ride (I’m the one who gets worried by all the cars turning left without noticing us etc.) and would like to continue biking to school a few days a week until school ends in June. With her to keep motivating me, I should be able to keep this up beyond bike-to-work week! I like the idea of biking with her regularly so that she learns road rules while under my supervision. Then when she’s older she’ll be able to use those skills to have an independent means of transport.”
Amelia’s 1.5-mile route takes her across Cranbury Road and up Millstone Road to Plainsboro. She did it three times last week (skipped the days when she had to bring her viola to school), for 9 miles roundtrip, and mom rode 24 miles to work roundtrip.
Sonya notes a few things she’s teaching her daughter: Assume cars will not stop for you at yield signs; assume parked car doors will open in front of you; assume cars will pull in front of you to turn right. Sound familiar?
A few more kids riding to school: Emily Tufford to Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville (12 miles so far this month) and WWBPA student advisor Kim Meersma to WW-P High School South (3 miles). Can we add anyone else to the list?
Other mileage totals for Week 3 of National Bike Month: Ben Tufford’s 120 miles, Bill Garrett’s 73 miles, Van Cotter’s 29 miles, Silvia Ascarelli’s 17 miles and Juan Cardenas’ 12 miles. That’s 258.5 miles (and many haven’t reported miles yet), bringing the total to 1,189.9 commuting and errand-running miles, plus lots more “fun” miles.
Comments »Saturday, May 22 by sandy
Let’s Move is a new federal initiative, promoted by First Lady Michelle Obama, to combat childhood obesity by promoting healthy foods and increased physical activity. Walking and bicycling to and from school or around the neighborhood, along sidewalks and marked paths, are fun and easy ways to start.
“The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake,” said Mrs. Obama. “This isn’t the kind of problem that can be solved overnight, but with everyone working together, it can be solved. So, let’s move.”
According to a May 11, 2010 White House press release, federal agencies are acting to translate recommendations to actions. The Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency will promote walking and biking to school. Want some local help doing that? Turn to the WWBPA!
The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President lists the following Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Adolescents:
Children and adolescents should get 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity daily.
Young people should be encouraged to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety. For more information, see Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Comments »Friday, May 21 by silvia
Arnold Kelly
Apologies for being so late with the Week 2 mileage report. But because I am so late, I can include a quick mention of Arnold Kelly, a West Windsor resident who has been bike-commuting since the 1973 energy crisis. How’s that for impressive?
Back then, New Jersey Transit knew they didn’t allow bikes but there was no policy about fold-up bikes. So he got one of those, took it on the train to Linden and rode the rest of the way to work. He says he never got booted off, even when trains were packed. He definitely has earned his more civilized commute to Princeton. Arnold, join our National Bike Month mileage tally! And thanks for stopping by at the Bikers Breakfast at the station!
We’ve got another 611.4 miles to add, which puts us at 931.4 miles halfway through National Bike Month. Add some “for fun” miles from three people (shall we include them?) and we’re at 1,014.5 miles.
Ben Tufford rode 270 miles in nine days over the first two weeks. “I commute by bike through West Windsor and enjoy it. I’ve noticed new striping and signage along my commute. Thanks for all of your efforts.” We like the new bike lanes too!
Bill Garrett reports seeing a fox one morning as he rode through Mercer County Park, part of his 98-mile week. Two other big bikers, Deniz and Jessica Dagci, rode 53.4 miles and 45 miles, respectively.
Bruce Ellsworth got in one day of commuting for 22 miles and it was a cold day. He reports: “It was on Wednesday, and the weather was dicey. Surprisingly, it was colder on the ride home in the evening than in the morning (around 48 degrees). I had to wear my rain gear and my cold weather gloves, and I rode my hybrid to spare the road bike. A driver surprised me by NOT passing me and making a right-hand turn right in front of me. Instead, they slowed down and waited until I passed their turn. I was pleasantly surprised, and it made me smile on that cold day.” Thumbs up for that driver!
Another former WWBPA trustee (and now advisor), Ken Carlson, is enjoying the commuting life in the Boston area. He reports 26 miles in Week 1 and 33 in Week 2. And get this: “Just hit 98% this week of percent commutes to work by bike since January 1. Only missed two so far this year. Starting to ramp up my mileage in preparation for the Anchor House Ride. Broke 1000 miles in overall biking for the year and really looking forward to riding with all of my WestWwindsor and local NJ area buds during Anchor House week. Cheers!” Cheers to you, Ken. Guess Boston didn’t get the snow we did! (Or they are really good at clearing the roads.)
WWBPA trustee Chris Scherer logged 45 miles.
And then there are those of us with short rides to the train station. Juan Cardenas and Silvia Ascarelli (one who also has some “for fun” miles) each rode nine commuter miles.
Send in your latest reports. Next week, I’ll tell you about a couple of 10-year olds who ride to school. Anyone else know kids who ride to school?
Until then, keep pedaling and enjoy National Bike Month!
Comments »Thursday, May 20 by silvia
National Bike to Work Week was the right time to celebrate the installation of new bicycle racks and lockers at the Princeton Junction train station. From left, West Windsor Councilwoman Linda Geevers, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh and West Windsor Parking Authority board member Alison Miller cut the ceremonial ribbon while Dave Brown of the West Windsor Public Works Department, Cheryl Kastrenakes from Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, Mike Viscardi from New Jersey Transit and Silvia Ascarelli of the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance look on.
This project, which created more than 40 additional bike spots, could not have been done without the cooperation of many groups. It was jointly funded by the WWBPA, GMTA, West Windsor Parking Authority and West Windsor BikeFest. New Jersey Transit provided bicycle racks and lockers, and West Windsor Public Works handled the installation. GMTMA handles the locker-rental program.
The mayor and West Windsor Council applauded the project with a Special Proclamation. Thank you for that and thank you to all who made this happen.
Comments »Monday, May 17 by silvia
Tuesday’s weather forecast looks dicey so we are postponing the ribbon-cutting and bikers breakfast until Thursday. (What is it with the WWBPA and the weather?) Both events take place at the bike racks between the Dinky and the Trenton-bound tracks. The bikers breakfast (coffee, something to eat, a WWBPA map) will start by 6:30 a.m., and the ribbon cutting for new bike racks and lockers is set for 8:30 a.m.
Comments »Sunday, May 16 by sandy
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency pedestrian ad campaign
National Transport, LLC, a shipping and auto transport company, posted a blog entry, Pedestrian Safety: Not Just for the Young or the Old, with good suggestions for pedestrians. To improve safety, pedestrians should
Read the National Transport, LLC Blog >>
Read and/or listen to the NPR story, Distracted Pedestrians An Increasing Risk >>
Friday, May 14 by silvia
A West Windsor resident emailed the WWBPA about a broken button to activate the pedestrian walk signal at the intersection of Alexander Road with Bear Brook Drive and Vaughn Drive as well as two street lights that were out at the intersection.
The WWBPA forwarded his concerns to the mayor, who quickly ensured that the needed repairs were made by Mercer County and PSE&G, respectively.
Thanks for the quick work!
Comments »Wednesday, May 12 by JerryFoster
The WWBPA is advocating for a Complete Streets Policy, modeled after a policy adopted late last year by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. As part of Complete Streets, the WWBPA is also proposing an ordinance requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities at future roundabouts.
According to the National Complete Streets Coalition:
“The streets of our cities and towns are an important part of the livability of our communities. They ought to be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper. But too many of our streets are designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams.
Now, in communities across the country, a movement is growing to complete the streets. States, cities and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build road networks that are safer, more livable, and welcoming to everyone.
Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind – including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.”
The federal Department of Transportation recently adopted a policy to support “the development of fully integrated active transportation networks. The establishment of well-connected walking and bicycling networks is an important component for livable communities, and their design should be a part of Federal-aid project developments.”
Read the WWBPA’s letter to the mayor, proposed Master Plan changes, and proposed Roundabout Ordinance, and contact our officials to express your support!
Comments »| September 7 | WWBPA will make a presentation about our goals to the WW Township Council at 7 PM; following will be the WWBPA Monthly meeting: Note change, for just this meeting, to Tuesday, in Room D |
| September 18 | WWBPA at the WW Farmers’ Market Bicycle Tour of Newark |
Recent Infrastructure
Proposals and Actions
Downtown Princeton Junction / Rt. 571 Recommendations
571/Cranbury/Wallace Intersection
WW Council adopts Washington Road Bike Route resolution
WW Council adopts Complete Streets resolution
Meadow Road Sidewalk Video
Assessment of West Windsor’s ADA Compliance
Roundabout Policy Recommendations
Berrien City Sidewalk
Hightstown Greenway Walking Bridge