Sunday, July 8 by silvia
Our annual bike drive for Bike Exchange and the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton collected 25 bikes, some new inner tubes and other accessories. Thanks to everyone who brought a bike or two to the farmers’ market on June 30!
This is the most unusual cycle we collected. Any ideas of what it’s best suited for? It’s certainly not a simple trike! And the fat, solid rubber wheels up front mean it takes more energy to get going than on bike tires.
Missed our bike drive and don’t want to wait until next year? You can drop off your donation at Bike Exchange (Capital Plaza Shopping Center, 1500 N. Olden Ave, near the Trenton Farmers’ Market), or a number of area bike shops including Jay’s and Kopp’s in Princeton, Halter’s in South Brunswick and Bicycle Rack in Hightstown. Or watch for other groups that are having a bike drive.
Bike Exchange is an amazing all-volunteer organization. It began collecting, refurbishing and selling bikes in early 2009 and has a large selection of good-quality, low-cost used bikes for all bike riders, 3 years to 100 years old, from occasional weekend rider to serious road rider. Stock depends on what’s donated, of course. In just six months this year, it has sold 1,038 bikes (229 in June alone). Through mid-June, the amount raised was $27,000, and it all goes to fund the after-school programs of the Boys & Girls Club. That’s a busy nonprofit!
Even cooler: there are now Bike Exchanges in Newark and Plainfield.
And Bike Exchange has supported the WWBPA’s “learn to bike” classes with a few loaner bikes to make sure new riders have the right-sized bike every step of the way. Thank you!
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Tags: bicycle, Bike Drive
Posted in Bike Exchange NJ, Farmers' Market |
Sunday, June 24 by silvia
Do you have bikes you no longer need cluttering up your garage or basement? Bring them to West Windsor Farmers’ Market (Vaughn Drive parking lot, off Alexander Road) between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 30 for the WWBPA’s bike drive to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton.
Bicycles of all sizes and condition are gratefully accepted, and donations are tax-deductible. Last year, we collected more than 50 bikes, and this year, we’ve already worked with the West Windsor Police Department to donate about 30 abandoned/confiscated bikes.
The bikes are refurbished by the volunteers of Bike Exchange and sold at their store in Ewing. Proceeds fund the Boys and Girls Club’s after-school programs. As of mid-June, this amazing group had already sold 937 bikes THIS YEAR and raised $27,000 for the Boys & Girls Club. (Watch this video about Bike Exchange and Boys & Girls Club.)
Bike Exchange also supports the WWBPA’s “learn to bike” classes by lending us a few bikes just in case a participant needs a slightly different size. Sometimes that makes all the difference!
If you miss the bike drive, several area bike shops serve as drop-off sites.
If you’re looking for a bike for your child that you know will be outgrown pretty quickly, this is a great place to consider. It’s also a great place to find authentic retro bikes, among other kinds, for adults. (It’s not a replacement for a bike shop, just a nice addition).
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Tags: Bike Drive, Boys and Girls Club of Trenton, farmers market
Posted in Bike Exchange NJ, Farmers' Market |
Wednesday, June 6 by silvia
About two dozen riders, plus our West Windsor police escort and a funeral hearse from Mather-Hodge, made up our solemn Ride of Silence procession through West Windsor. We certainly got attention, particularly by the Conover Road ballfields! (Notice how well reflective gear works!)
We kicked off the farmers’ market season with a walk to the market and promoted bicycling and walking on two market days, Princeton’s Communiversity at the end the April and West Windsor’s own BikeFest extravaganza. We also held a class for adults who wanted to learn to bike.
Unfortunately, our plans for a bikers breakfast at the Princeton Junction train station with Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association were rained out.
Communiversity and our new bike safety wheel
Walking to the first day of the farmers' market
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Tags: National Bike Month, Ride of Silence
Posted in Bikeability, Farmers' Market, National BIke Month, Princeton, Ride of Silence, Walkability |
Sunday, May 20 by silvia
The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance is holding its first “learn to bike” class of 2012 to get more kids off training wheels and enjoying the freedom of two wheels.
We use a safe and effective method that teaches kids to balance on their bikes without pedals or training wheels. Then the pedals go back on and we review how to start and stop. No clutching the back of the seat! Children generally learn pretty quickly, though they may need more practice with mom and dad the next day. It works! We’ve already taught more than 700 kids. Watch the video from our first class!
This session is being held at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market on June 16 and is being offered to WWBPA members only. Kids can begin arriving at 9.m. and stay as long as they like, until the market closes at 1 p.m. The market is held at the Vaughn Drive commuter parking lot.
Not sure if your membership is current? You should have received an acknowledgment letter from us in the past year. Or ask, and we can check our records.
Preregistration via wwbikeped@gmail.com is required.
Bring a bike in good working order; kids should be able to touch the ground while seated. Helmets are required and can be purchased from the WWBPA for just $10.
1 Comment »
Tags: Learn to BIke
Posted in Bike Skills, Farmers' Market |
Wednesday, May 2 by silvia
May is National Bike Month, and the week of May 13 is Bike to Work Week. A number of events are planned in West Windsor and neighboring communities; one (or more) is sure to be right for you. We’ve also included a few for walkers. (Note that not all events listed below are organized by the WWBPA)
May 5: West Windsor Walks to the opening day of the farmers’ market. Join us at 8:50 a.m. in the parking lot at the back of Maurice Hawk Elementary school for a leisurely stroll of just over a mile. We’ll start walking at 9 a.m. and are excited that the route this year will take us along some stretches of sidewalk that weren’t there last year. Kids will be challenged by a game of “I Spy.” People in wheelchairs and kids in strollers are welcome.
May 6: Bring your child (up to age 10) and bike to a free bike skills class at Plainsboro’s Founders Day. Princeton’s police department is sponsoring a separate bike skills class that includes a bike obstacle course on May 19; call 921-2100, ext. 1848 for details.
May 11-12: Adults aren’t being left out. This skills class, offered through the West Windsor Recreation Department, is for those who want to boost their confidence when riding on the road. Cost is $50, but the WWBPA will reimburse $25 of the cost for members. Plus we’ll cover the other $25 for the first five members who write a review of the class that we can use on our website.
May 12: Buy a bike at Bike Exchange in Ewing and get a free helmet from Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association. Learn more about this and other GMTMA events during National Bike Month here.
May 14-18: National Bike to Work Week. Register for a free T-shirt and a raffle with GMTMA.
May 15: Bikers Breakfast at the Princeton Junction train station, sponsored by the WWBPA and Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, starting at 6 a.m. Grab a drink and a snack on us. Want a bike locker? We’ll tell you how to get one.
May 16: The WWBPA is supporting one of three area Ride of Silence events to honor cyclists killed or injured on the roads. Meet at 6:45 p.m. in the Municipal Center parking lot; the silent one-hour ride will leave at 7 p.m. We will have a West Windsor police escort and a funeral hearse courtesy of Mather Hodge. We suggest you wear a black armband and turn on your front and rear lights. We will stick together for the entire 10-12 mile route. Last year, more than 12,000 cyclists took part in events around the world.
May 19: Tour historic Trenton with the Trenton Cycling Revolution. More information about this 15-mile ride and registration at www.trentoncycling.org.
May 26: BikeFest, West Windsor’s bicycling extravaganza, with rides for people of all abilities, from 1.5 miles to 40 miles. Register at www.westwindsorbikefest.com. Say “hi” to the WWBPA after your ride!
June 16: The WWBPA holds a free “learn to bike” class for kids who want to get off training wheels at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market. Watch the video of last year’s class. Note: This is a members-only event.
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Tags: bicycle, bike safety, Learn to BIke, National Bike Month, Plainsboro, Ride of Silence
Posted in Bike Rodeo, Bike Skills, BikeFest, Farmers' Market, National BIke Month, Plainsboro, Princeton Junction train station, Ride of Silence |
Sunday, April 29 by silvia
The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance is organizing its third annual Walk to the Farmers’ Market on Saturday May 5 to mark the opening of the market for the season.
This free family-friendly walk is open to people of all ages, and those in wheelchairs and strollers as well. We will meet in the Maurice Hawk School parking lot at the back of the school, and start strolling at 9 a.m.; please arrive by 8:50 a.m. so we can leave on time. Our mile-long route will take us to Berrien Avenue on the school path, and then down Berrien to Alexander Road. We will then cross Alexander Road by the Arts Center and turn left onto the new sidewalk constructed last summer with the help of a Safe Routes to Transit grant obtained by West Windsor Township. We will cross Wallace Road and continue up over the roundabout and along more of the sidewalk along Alexander Road, including a key portion installed last year, to Vaughn Drive, where we will turn right and proceed to the Farmers’ Market.
Children of all ages will be challenged by a game of “I Spy” along the way.
We’ll follow a different route back to the Hawk parking lot for those who are interested.
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Tags: pedestrian, walking, West Windsor
Posted in Alexander Road, Farmers' Market, Walkability |
Monday, October 31 by JerryFoster
Saturday’s Halloween parade at the Farmers Market was washed out by another unusual storm, this one featuring rain turning to sleet, then snow (that’s still on the ground!) and caused branches and trees to block roads all over town. But the WWBPA showed our Halloween spirit!
Thanks to everyone at the Farmers Market for another great year!
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Tags: farmers market, Halloween
Posted in Advocacy, Farmers' Market |
Thursday, September 29 by silvia
The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance taught another 17 kids to bike without training wheels on Saturday by using a low-stress technique taught to us by Bike New York: take off the pedals and training wheels, lower the seat, learn to glide (and balance) and then put the pedals back on. It’s amazing to see how quickly some kids get it! And others just need a bit more time and encouragement. We think it helps that they see so many others doing the same thing.
Did you see us at the farmers’ market? Check out our photos to see what it’s all about.
Many thanks to all our volunteers! Want to join our crew next year?
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Tags: farmers market, Learn to BIke
Posted in Bike Skills, Farmers' Market |
Tuesday, September 27 by silvia
photo courtesy of www.pedbikeimages.org / Diana Redwood
It’s no longer light when many of us head off or come home from work, or go jogging or walking, and it will soon be darker for many more of us. The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance strongly urges pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists to be bright at night.
The dark coats and jackets most of us favor make it hard for motorists to see us; the Federal Highway Administration says a driver will first see someone wearing blue 55 feet away and someone in white from 180 feet – but won’t be able to stop in time for either if he’s going 40 mph.
Even when walking in our neighborhoods, where traffic is slower, being visible helps everyone stay safe.
The WWBPA will demonstrate and sell a wide range of items at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market on Sat., Oct. 1 that will make you more visible: vests, belts and briefcase straps with reflective materials, small lights to hang off the end of purses and backpacks and of course lights and reflective tape for bikes. Come see us between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Vaughn Drive commuter parking lot off Alexander Road.
You can’t be too visible.
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Tags: bike safety, pedestrian safety
Posted in Farmers' Market, Pedestrian, Safety |
Tuesday, August 30 by silvia
The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance is holding its second “learn to bike” class of 2011 to get more kids off training wheels and enjoying the freedom of two wheels.
We use a safe and effective method that teaches kids to balance on their bikes without pedals or training wheels. Then the pedals go back on and we review how to start and stop. No clutching the back of the seat! Children generally learn pretty quickly, though they may need more practice with mom and dad the next day. It works! We’ve already taught more than 50 kids. Watch the video.
This session is being held at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market on Sept. 24 and is being offered to WWBPA members only. Not sure if your membership is current? You should have received an acknowledgment letter from us in the past year. Or ask, and we can check our records.
Please help us spread the word about this great class with friends, neighbors and colleagues. (They just need to join before signing up a kid. Membership forms are on the website, and Google checkout is an easy payment option. Or see us at the farmers’ market on Sept. 10.)
Preregistration is a must. Email wwbikeped@gmail.com to sign up a child.
One last thing: This class requires many volunteers to help with everything from accepting registration forms to taking off pedals and training wheels. Interested in helping? Email us at wwbikeped@gmail.org. We’ll happily accept as much or as little time as you can offer.
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Tags: Learn to BIke
Posted in Bike Skills, Farmers' Market |
