Tuesday, July 27 by sandy
Perils for Pedestrians is a monthly television series promoting awareness of issues affecting the safety of people who walk and bicycle. Producer John Z. Wetmore interviews advocates and government planners from around the country (and sometimes the world) about problems such as missing sidewalks and crosswalks, dangerous intersections, speeding traffic, and obstacles to wheelchair users and people with disabilities; solutions to such problems are offered.
The most recent episodes are available at on blip.tv and older episodes (the series began in 1996) are linked from the index on pedestrians.org.
The shows are broadcast on the Princeton Public Access TV Channel (available in West Windsor on Verizon FiOS Channel 45). This summer they are shown on Tuesdays at 7 PM, Fridays at 1:30 PM, and Sundays at 11:30 AM.
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Posted in Advocacy, Bicycle routes, Bicycling Trip, Bikeability, Film, Pedestrian, Safety, Trails, Walkability |
Tuesday, July 20 by sandy
On July 19, 2010, West Windsor Township Council adopted a resolution, requesting “that Mercer County establish a bicycle route from the Delaware and Raritan Canal to the Princeton Junction Train Station at West Windsor along Washington Road.”
This is just a first step. The Departments of Transportation for both Mercer County and the State of New Jersey will have to come on board, since this is a county route and it crosses U.S. Route 1, for which the State of New Jersey is responsible. It’s not clear how quickly they will act. Join the WWBPA in reminding officials that this is the best way for cyclists to go between West Windsor and Princeton and that bike lanes will make the route safer for all. Come to our next meeting (Aug. 12) to learn more about how you can help.
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Posted in Advocacy, Bicycle routes, Route 571, Washington Road |
Friday, July 9 by sandy
Did you know that the U.S. Bicycle Route 1, between Virginia and North Carolina, and Route 76, through Virginia, Kentucky and Illinois, opened in 1982?
The U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) is a proposed national network of bicycle routes, spearheaded in part by Adventure Cycling, a nonprofit group that began with the idea of a cross-country ride to mark America’s Bicentennial in 1976. It’s also gotten the attention of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Work has picked up recently, and Michigan is leading the way. Route 20 is under way and Route 35 should follow. As the network develops, look for it to connect many existing trails. Still to be decided is where it will go in New Jersey. (Adventure Cycling’s Atlantic Coast route skips the state, but the East Coast Greenway goes right past West Windsor.)
Links:
Adventure Cycling: U.S. Bicycle Route System News and Updates
U.S. Department of Transportation Blog about the USBRS
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Posted in Bicycle routes, Bicycling Trip |
Monday, July 5 by silvia
The asphalt has been poured for the 1.5-mile stretch of the D&R Canal Towpath/East Coast Greenway in Trenton that will fill the gap in the route that runs past West Windsor to create a 70-mile path from New Brunswick to Frenchtown for bicyclists, joggers and walkers. Signs, fences and gates still need to be installed, but the lion’s share of this $400,000 project is done.
The section connects with a path near Old Rose Street and uses an old railroad bridge to cross over Route 1 before continuing north to Mulberry Street. Read more in the Trenton Times.
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Posted in Bicycle routes, D&R Canal, East Coast Greenway |
Saturday, June 12 by sandy
Students pedal along the Trolley Line Trail
The WW-P News reports on a suggestion to extend the Trolley Line Trail, which would enable WW-PHS South and North students to safely walk or cycle between the two high schools, as well as providing a convenient and safe link for residents of both townships. This isn’t a new idea, and is one the WWBPA supports, but there are several obstacles that would need to be worked out. Read more:
Trolley Line Trail: Stretching the Limits
West Windsor-Plainsboro News
from the West Windsor & Plainsboro News, May 28, 2010
Writing for the WWBPA, President Jerry Foster sent a letter to the editor of the WW-P News in support of a Trolley Line extension.
WW-P News, June 11, 2010 follow-up article:
Trolley Line Trail: Hurdles Abound
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Posted in Bicycle routes, Bikeability, Trails, Walkability |
Wednesday, June 2 by sandy
Bicyclists of all ages and abilities attended the seventh annual West Windsor BikeFest on Sunday, May 30 (postponed a day because of the weather) over Memorial Day weekend. The weather on Sunday couldn’t have been better! A bike rodeo helped to educate young riders about the rules of the road and safe riding practices.
Watch a Slide Show from BIkeFest 2010.
BikeFest focuses on bringing awareness of safe cycling and enables families to experience bicycling at various skill levels. Participants discover that West Windsor has many roads that will accommodate all levels of cyclists.
BikeFest is run by a small committee led by Dan Gerstenhaber and supported by Ken Jacobs of the West Windsor Division of Recreation and Parks. Local businesses support the event and many volunteers support registration, rest stops, sweeping, and feeding the event participants. Volunteers are always welcome. For more information go to West Windsor BikeFest.
Funding from BikeFest
The BikeFest committee focuses on safe cycling in West Windsor; funds raised by the event are used to support designated community bicycling improvements. Along with the installation of bike racks in various parts of the township, the BikeFest committee has donated money to help with some of the WWBPA initiatives, most notably the printing of the WWBPA map, Share the Road signs, bicycle racks for theWest Windsor Community Farmers’ Market and the soon-to-be-completed bicycle parking facilities at the Princeton Junction Train Station.
The WWBPA isn’t a sponsor of BikeFest but thanks the BikeFest committee for its continued support for safer cycling in West Windsor.
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Posted in Bicycle routes, Bicycling Trip, Bike Rodeo, Bike Skills, BikeFest |
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:
- Speed has declined.
- Collisions have declined.
- Pedestrian Crossings are safer.
- Bicycle volume has increased
- Peak hour capacity has been maintained.
Read previous news items about Canal Pointe Boulevard.
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Posted in Advocacy, Bicycle routes, Bikeability, Canal Pointe, Complete Streets, Pedestrian, Speed limits, Walkability |
Tuesday, May 11 by silvia
Here are some rides to help you get ready for BikeFest:
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Trenton Cycling Revolution, another area advocacy group, is helping with the annual 15-mile Trenton Bike Tour on May 22. One rider calls it “the coolest way to see the city.” The police-escorted ride starts at 8:30 a.m. at Cadwalader Park. Cost is $10.
And of course there is the local Ride of Silence after work on May 19.
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Posted in Bicycle routes, BikeFest |
Tuesday, May 4 by sandy
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood would like to create bicycle and pedestrian networks throughout the country. Though 90% of Americans will still use their cars, 59% would like to add more alternatives, including mass transit, bicycle and pedestrian routes (Transportation for America 2010 survey).
Listen to an April 25, 2010 NPR story, “A National Network of Bike Trails? It Could Happen,” including an interview with Secretary LaHood.
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Posted in Advocacy, Bicycle routes, Bikeability, Pedestrian, Walkability |
Sunday, April 25 by sandy
Looking for a good bike route in New Jersey? Road Biking New Jersey: A Guide to the State’s Best Bike Rides author Tom Hammell, born and raised in New Jersey, has explored most of the state’s roads by bike. He is an avid cyclist and a ride leader with the Princeton Freewheelers, logging thousands of miles a year leading other riders over beautiful back roads.
Tom is a longtime volunteer at the New Jersey studio of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D); he read from his book on Monday, April 19, 2010 at RFB&D’s Record-A-Thon.
RFB&D is the nation’s largest audio textbook and literature library, serving students with print and learning disabilities. Volunteers read and record its extensive collection, with thousands of new titles added each year in every subject and grade level.
Road Biking New Jersey contains 35 rides of varying length, terrain, and difficulty; Hammell designed the routes for the average recreational rider.
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Posted in Bicycle routes, Disabilities |
