Building a Bicycle and
Pedestrian Friendly Community
Tuesday, May 12 by joegorun
May is Bike Month. GMTMA and our neighboring TMAs are doing virtual bike month, sign up and ride anywhere, even indoors, they’ll donate to local food banks: http://p1.pagewiz.net/uyjq6wc7/
Comments Off on Virtual Bike MonthSunday, May 19 by ezeitler
Here’s what’s been shooting around the ped/bike blogs this week.
Inequality in pedestrian death victims?from Streetsblog Capitol Hill: The elderly, people of color and men are more likely to be killed by cars while walking than other segments of our population, reported by the CDC.
Everyone can receive health benefits from biking to work from fitnessforweightloss.com: Infographic that reports health benefits from bike commuting, like 50% reduction in heart disease risk from 3 hours of biking per week. ?Also suggests ways to get started.
Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure increased economic growth?from?America Bikes: New York City has been implementing new pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure and found, among other benefits, that local businesses grew around the new facilities. Where the protected bike lane was present, business sales increased by 49% compared to 3% in the borough as a whole. Businesses around a Brooklyn pedestrian plaza saw 172% growth relative to 18% in the borough as a whole.
Comment on regional transportation policy priorities from WalkBikeJersey: The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has released its annual transportation priorities, including a clickable map to make it easier to see what’s planned for our area. You can send them comments via the map or via email. It’s also interesting to see how much they plan to spend on projects. there’s a lot of zeros in those numbers, so let’s make sure that some of those millions go to bicycle and pedestrian improvements, as required by our state, county and municipal Complete Streets policies.
Any interesting stories we missed?
Comments Off on Sunday linksWednesday, 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
Comments Off on Share Our Memories of National Bike Month
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.
Comments Off on Celebrate National Bike Month 2012Monday, April 16 by silvia
The WWBPA is once again supporting a “Ride of Silence” in West Windsor as part of our National Bike Month activities. This is an annual international event to honor those cyclists killed or injured on the roads and to raise awareness among motorists that we are on the road. We will leave the West Windsor Municipal Center at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 16 for a slow, silent, one-hour, 10-12-mile ride through town. We will remain as a group, slowing down as needed.
You must wear a helmet! Think about ways to make yourself visible to motorists.
The ride is free; please bring a friend. (Also bring water, ID, spare tube and anything else you think you might need).
Please arrive for the ride at least 15 minutes early.
At least two other Rides of Silence are being planned in our area: in Princeton and in Montgomery.
Comments Off on Ride of Silence 2012Saturday, July 16 by silvia
We now have a video of our fantastic day in May when we taught about 50 kids to ride without training wheels. Watch it!
The next class will be Sept. 24. Watch for details.
2 Comments »Monday, June 6 by silvia
Thanks to all who sent in their May bike mileage, representing a mix of commuting, pleasure and errand-running miles. We reached 3,161 miles, despite a very soggy Bike to Work Week.
Forgot to send in your miles? Leave a message here, on Facebook or email wwbikeped@gmail com. We can always update.
What do 3,161 miles represent? Interestingly, we burn roughly the same number of calories per mile cycled, regardless of speed (Obviously we burn more per hour the faster we go). The other variable is your weight. You can work out where you stand below, but assuming an average weight of 155 pounds and a moderate pace (45 calories per mile), we burned 142,245 calories. If we hadn’t compensated for the riding with extra food, we’d have lost nearly 41 pounds.
Some of you sent in descriptions of your rides. Don P. used his bike to carry grass clippings to the EcoCenter in Lawrence and hauled mulch home. Dan R. confessed to being in the wrong gear when crossing a stream in Dorchester County, Maryland,? .. I assume that was a wet mistake! He also saw roads there flooded more than he’d ever seen before. All this was part of a one-day 138-mile ride around the perimeter of Dorchester County, in which he only had rain for 20 minutes. Dan also provided the inspiration for the title of this post — thanks, Dan!
Also thanks to Levi, Abby, Jessica, Deniz, Diane, Bill, John W. and everyone else who sent in their mileage count. As for that calorie information…
Bicycling 14 to 15.9 mph is considered a “vigorous effort” by the Wisconsin Department of Health. More vigorous efforts spur greater calorie losses by increasing your heart rate and the amount of fuel your body burns, according to “Swim, Bike, Run.” When you bicycle 14 to 15.9 mph, you burn 54 to 62 calories per mile if you weigh 190 pounds, 44 to 50 calories per mile if you’re 155 pounds and 37 to 42 calories per mile if you’re 130 pounds.
Bicycling 12 to 13.9 mph is a “moderate effort,” according to the Wisconsin Department of Health. Your heart rate should be 45 percent to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate–220 beats per minute minus your age–when you exercise moderately, according to Dr. Dean Ornish in his book “Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease.” When you bicycle 12 to 13.9 mph, you burn 50 to 58 calories per mile if you weigh 190 pounds, 41 to 47 calories per mile if you’re 155 pounds and 34 to 39 calories per mile if you’re 130 pounds.
Bicycling 10 to 11.9 mph is regarded as a “light effort” by the Wisconsin Department of Health. If you’re 40 years old, you can bicycle lightly if your heart rate is under 81 beats per minute–220 minus 40 times .45 percent. When you bicycle 10 to 11.9 mph, you burn 44 to 52 calories per mile if you weigh 190 pounds, 35 to 42 calories per mile if you’re 155 pounds and 30 to 35 calories per mile if you’re 130 pounds.
Comments Off on May’s Magnificent MilesFriday, May 20 by silvia
Remember how you learned to bike without training wheels? One of your parents was probably clutching the back of the seat and eventually let go.
The WWBPA is doing it differently: At our free class at the WW Farmers’ Market this Saturday, we’ll take off the training wheels and the pedals, and then lower the seat so the child can touch the ground while seated. Kids will learn to balance by scooting while seated and lifting their feet off the ground. Only then will we put the pedals back on and make sure they know how to start and stop before letting them try to ride.
We’ll be teaching from 9 a.m. til the market closes at 1 p.m. Stop by!
Thursday, May 19 by silvia
Hats off to those who have been riding this week — Bike to Work Week — despite the rain.
Two weeks into National Bike Month, we’ve been reminded of why we bike and that yes, you can bike to church. Through Sunday, we’ve reached 1,057 miles (though I know there are more of you out there who haven’t yet reported).
WWBPA member Sudi says she’s ridden 40 miles so far: two round trips from home to Rocky Hill via the canal tow path. “It was relaxing and energizing at the same time! Saw lots of turtles sunning themselves on logs. Found a good way to cross Route 1 later in the day when traffic gets heavier – go through the Sarnoff fields and cross Route 1 at Harrison. On the way out in the morning, since traffic is generally light, I cross Route 1 at Alexander. Looking forward to bringing my bike to Cape Cod and the Islands next month!”
WWBPA friend Don P. racked up 158 miles just commuting and then rode to church on Sunday (plus a few other places), for a total of 190 miles. “I commute to Mt Laurel. The preferred route is riding 35 miles to work and then a multi-modal commute home – 8 miles from office to RiverLine train station in Riverside, take the train to Trenton and then back on the bike for 8 miles home. To church I normally wear khakis, but today because of the wet roads, I wore black denims. As a family we walk, but as just me, I bike.
Another big commuter, WWBPA member Bill G., reported 103 miles, while WWBPA member Dan R. reported in as he rode the perimeter of Dorchester County, Md.: 90 miles.
We’ve got some more shout-outs: WWBPA member Bob S. rode 14 miles on his first ride of the season, while Levi S. notched 28 and Abby S., 8. Andrea tallied 15, much of it riding to and from the Mercer County dog show. Sonya L. rode to work and to the community garden, for 12 miles, while Clive did a five-mile loop one Saturday that included stops at the library and the farmers market. And Diane pedaled another 19 miles.
WWBPA trustee Silvia Ascarelli blames the early rain on Sunday for ending her streak of being out on a bike every day this month, but not before riding another 31 miles. It’s faster to bike to the station than to drive to the Vaughn Drive lot and then walk to the platform, she says.
What’s your biking tale?
Comments Off on 1,000 Miles and CountingSunday, May 15 by silvia
National Bike to Work Week is this week!
Did you know that a mere?30-minute ride to and from work?at a leisurely pace burns?500 calories?!
You can find the WWBPA at three events:
A bikers’ breakfast at the Princeton Junction train station on Tuesday, co-hosted with Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association. Stop by between 6:30 a.m. (we’ll aim to be there closer to 6) and 8:30 a.m. for a cup of coffee and some food. It’s our way of saying thanks for biking! You’ll find us on the southbound side. We’ll be happy to chat even if you’re not on your bike.
A Ride of Silence at 7 p.m. on Wednesday that leaves from the Municipal Center parking lot. This is a one-hour, 10-mile ride to honor those injured or killed on the road. Many thanks to Mather-Hodge Funeral Home and Peter Hodge for providing a funeral hearse for our procession of riders! You can read more about it in this Princeton Packet article. The ride will be cancelled if it’s raining. If the weather looks questionable, check the website and Facebook page for updates.
A “Learn to Bike” class aimed at kids 5 years old and older on Saturday at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market on Vaughn Drive. This uses a safe and effective method that doesn’t involve clutching the back of a bike. The class is free but space is limited, so we suggest pre-registering via [email protected]. Please bring a working bike. A helmet is required (the WWBPA will be selling them for $10). Sessions will run continuously during farmers’ market hours; please arrive between 9 a.m. and noon.
In addition, GMTMA is hosting a bikers breakfast at the Trenton train station from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Monday and? a “lunch and learn” session at the Princeton library on Friday to spotlight what Hoboken is doing to promote walking and biking. The session runs from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. and includes lunch refreshments. Space is limited, so pre-register by emailing [email protected].
Through a variety of innovative planning, transportation, and parking strategies, Hoboken, New Jersey is rapidly transforming itself into one of the most bikeable and pedestrian-friendly municipalities in New Jersey. The consulting firm Civic Eye Collaborative recently produced a film that documents some of the strategies that have been implemented to reduce the need for automobile ownership, and to enhance and promote access to transit and other non-motorized transportation modes. The film shows how fundamental smart urban planning is to the quality of life of citizens, and how important these issues are to a town’s vitality and sustainability. After the movie, Ranjit Walia from Civic Eye Collaborative and Hoboken?s Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs will speak about the importance of community outreach and sustainable transportation, and help guide the audience through a “visual preference survey” to engage in a discussion about where, how, and if similar transportation strategies could work in our communities. Lunch refreshments will be served, and attendees will be eligible to participate in a free raffle!
Comments Off on Bike to Work WeekWednesday, May 11 by silvia
It’s been a great weekend for getting out on a bike, and a great start for National Bike Month. As usual, the WWBPA is keeping a tally of miles ridden, whether to get to work or school, to run errands or for fun. We want to include yours!
With many who have yet to report, the mileage meter already stands at 492 miles. Impressively, several members and friends who racked up triple-digit mileage totals, or close to it. Hats off to WWBPA friends John W. with 177 miles and Don P. with 105 miles. WWBPA member Bill Garrett logged 99 miles for the first week. “Nippy ride this morning, but still better than chilly temps of January,” he told us Friday. “I see deer feeding as I ride through Mercer County Park.”
WWBPA member Dan R. reports 66 miles, and member Diane C. rode 40 miles.
WWBPA trustee Daryl McMillan rode 27 miles to and from work over two days.
WWBPA trustee Silvia Ascarelli figures she’s been on a bike every day so far, even if it’s just a couple of miles, for a total of 63 miles.
WWBPA trustee Mark Shallcross reports 14 miles.
Comments Off on Week One of National Bike MonthFriday, April 29 by silvia
Did you know that on average, 40% of our trips are two miles or less?
Take part in National Bike Month by resolving to ride your bike more often, whether to work, the store, the library, the train station or to a friend’s house. We don’t need to remind you of the $4 a gallon gas you’ll be saving. Need another reason? The week of May 15 is National Bike to Work Week, and May 20 is Bike to Work Day. Stop at the Princeton Junction train station on May 16 for a bikers breakfast courtesy of the WWBPA and the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association.
West Windsor has added many bike lanes in recent years, and the WWBPA can help you find safe routes using them and quiet roads as much as possible. (Google maps and Mapquest also have bike-route-mapping features.)
Don’t forget some of the rules of the road: Always ride WITH traffic, obey all traffic rules (red lights, stop signs) and be visible and predictable at all times. The WWBPA sells reflective ankle bands, safety vests, helmets and entry-level lights; see us at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market or email [email protected].
The WWBPA also is participating or promoting many bike events in May. See our newsletter for the list!
Comments Off on May is National Bike MonthMonday, April 25 by silvia
May is turning out to be a bicycling extravaganza! And that’s before West Windsor’s own BikeFest. These are some “event” rides that have caught our eye:
May 7 brings the 27th annual Farmlands Flat Tour (yes, flat!), organized by the Central Jersey Bicycle Club. Routes range from 15 to 100 miles and depart from Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, off exit 109 on the Parkway. Register by April 28 if you want the T-shirt.
If you’re missing (or are opting out) of Bike New York’s Five Boro Tour on May 1, there’s what we’ll call Tour de Manhattan, sponsored by the East Coast Greenway, on May 14. This is a 32-mile ride around the perimeter of Manhattan, starting at 10 a.m. from the East River Greenway and 61st Street (just south of the 61st St.? Dog Run at the bottom of the ramp).? The ride will be at a 10-12 mph pace and include the 13 miles of the Hudson River Greenway from Northern Manhattan all the way down to Battery Park. It also will highlight some of the gaps on the East River Greenway. The ride will finish at Glick Park at 37th Street around 2 PM.
Or head to Pennsylvania the same day for the Route 113 Heritage Corridor Ride (the revamped, rebranded River to River Ride). Routes through through Bucks and Montgomery counties range from 10 to 65 miles. Starting point is Souderton, PA, west of Doylestown.
A day later, it’s Tour de Montclair (and that’s its real name). The ninth edition of this annual ride starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday May 15 in Essex County?s Brookdale Park.
Finally, tour historic Trenton with the Trenton Cycling Revolution on May 21. The leisurely 15-mile police-escorted ride through Trenton?s historic streets and sights, diverse neighborhoods and community gardens leaves Cadwalader Park at 9 a.m.
Comments Off on Tour de Manhattan and More in MayThursday, April 21 by silvia
The WWBPA is delighted to support a Ride of Silence in West Windsor on May 18.
Ride of Silence is an international event to raise awareness among motorists that we are here and? to honor those who have been injured or killed while cycling on the roads. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.
At 7? p.m. local time around the world on May 18, the Ride of Silence will begin and roll across the globe in a silent procession. Each ride lasts just one hour and covers 10 to 12 miles. Cyclists ride in a group no faster than 12 mph and will remain silent during the ride. The event is free and is part of the WWBPA’s events for National Bike Month.
West Windsor’s Ride of Silence will start at the West Windsor Municipal Center on Clarksville Road. All you need to bring is a bike in good riding condition, helmet, squirt water bottle, spare tube, ID, cell phone and any other necessities you require. It will be dusk when we finish so don’t forget lights and, if you have one, a reflective vest to make you even more visible. Please arrive at 6:45 p.m.
A second Ride of Silence will roll from Van Horne Park (behind Princeton Fitness and Wellness Center) in Skillman.
Questions? Kyle is leading the West Windsor ride and is reachable at [email protected]. Heather is leading the Skillman ride and is reachable at [email protected].
Help spread the word and see you there!
Comments Off on Ride of Silence 2011Sunday, April 10 by silvia
May is National Bike Month, and start it with a deep stretch: Nancy Sheehan, a cyclist and yoga instructor, will be teaching two free yoga classes aimed at cyclists at the Cranbury library, 23 N. Main St. in Cranbury, on May 5 and June 2.
Yoga can build a cyclist’s strength and endurance and introduce flexibility to chronically tight muscles.
Classes begin at 7 p.m. and will end at 8:30 p.m. The WWBPA will be there both evenings. We’ll talk about skills and etiquette for streets and trails,? including the do’s and don’ts that promote peaceful coexistence with other users, on May 5 and fun places to ride, including some cool events, on June 2. But most of the evening will be devoted to stretching, so dress appropriately. Bring a yoga mat if you have one.
No pre-registration is necessary.
Not sure what to expect? Here’s a video we found that shows some stretching techniques for cyclists.
Comments Off on Yoga for CyclistsFriday, June 11 by silvia
We ended National Bike Month with 1,369.4 commuting and errand miles, plus countless more for BikeFest and other fun trips, as well as for the Ride of Silence. Thanks to all who sent in their tallies! The total can be updated with late entries, so don?t be shy about e-mailing.
I, for one, am noticing many more cyclists on the roads, whether heading to work or on the weekends. Hopefully, the WWBPA?s work is encouraging more people to get around by bike some of the time.
www.pedbikeimages.org / Laura Sandt
Having just spent two weeks in London, I was amazed at how many more cyclists there were than when I left in 2005?and how many wear helmets and safety vests. London has been working for many years to improve cycling infrastructure, has a mayor who bikes to work and wants to develop bicycle ?superhighways,? and will be launching its version of the Paris Velib program in July. Of course, it isn?t Copenhagen or Amsterdam, where many more people walk, take public transportation, or drive to get around. But there is no denying that cyclists are much more visible in the heart of the city than they were five years ago.
Closer to home, WWBPA advisor Ken Carlson reports on the differences between West Windsor and his new home in the Boston area:
?Better infrastructure. There is a significant number of streets with bike lanes or sharrows, as well as bike paths along the Charles. Not to say that there isn’t more work to be done. There are always improvements to be made!
Much greater presence of bike commuters. There is a very significant presence of bike commuters, and there is certainly a safety in numbers vibe here. At red lights on a nice day, there commonly is a traffic jam of cyclists waiting for the light to change. There is a wide variety of styles of commuters, from the lycra-clad commuters who are coming in from the suburbs, to the hipster bike commuters with their kryptonite locks stuffed in the back pocket of their jeans, to the average person dressed for work riding an old beater, to everything in between.
Increased awareness by drivers. Most drivers know to expect cyclists- looking in their rear view mirrors before making a right turn, drivers (and passengers) looking behind them before opening their car door. Not to say that there aren’t conflicts and drivers who don’t pay attention to cyclists. But for the most part, there’s a considerable awareness level.
A wide range of cyclist behavior: cyclists who stop for red lights, who don’t stop for red lights, cyclists who bike in bike lanes, on sidewalks, with traffic, against traffic, with and without helmets, with lights, no lights, etc.?
Comments Off on National Bike Month: 1,369.4 MilesWednesday, 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 Off on Kids Who Ride Bikes to SchoolFriday, 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 Off on National Bike Month, Week 2Thursday, 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 Off on Celebrating More Bike Racks and LockersTuesday, May 11 by silvia
Bill Garrett is the WWBPA?s bike-commuting champ for Week One of National Bike Month: an impressive? 105 miles. ?Great weather this first week!? he says.? (I say too bad the weather forecast doesn?t look quite as good for Week Two.)
Runner-up is Deniz Dagci. Wife Jessica reports he rode 74 miles since May 1, including errands and such. ?For both of us, commuting is 35 miles a week. My total since May 1 is not as impressive, just 48 miles (it was concert week, poor Deniz was left with most of the errands),? she says. The Dagci household is car-free and the two commute to Princeton University.
Yes, Jessica got caught in Monday?s rain. ?Three cheers for the gym and shower that followed before a long day at work,? ?she added. But there was good news during the week too — the monster brush pile on Washington Road disappeared mid week. (Yes, the shoulder on Washington Road isn?t an official bike lane, but cyclists appreciate it being kept free of debris anyway.)
Former WWBPA trustee Bruce Ellsworth described a 33-mile day this way: ?Friday’s weather was so perfect, I wanted to keep riding.? So, I doubled up my commute to work to make 22 miles in the morning.? I would have gone longer, but I had an early morning meeting at work. I rode a circuitous route around Hopewell township. It was quite nice to get out of Princeton Borough where, especially on Fridays, automobile traffic can be rather aggressive.? After work, I rode directly home, since I was due to watch my daughter in the evening so my wife could go out with a friend.? Even so, I was happy to be on my bike without all the cold weather gear on, making it the most memorable bike commute so far this year.? (Unfortunately, he says, it was his only commute ride of the week.)
John Kuhn reports riding to work 2 ? times for a total of 25 miles. Unfortunately, he got a flat tire on the way home Wednesday and got his wife to pick him up.
Van Cotter racked up seven commuting miles and an eighth for errands (plus 35 for fun).
WWBPA trustee Silvia Ascarelli rode just 15 miles, but then she has a quick ride along Cranbury Road to the train station. She did cycle to Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association to pick up the key to a bike locker at the station. (A 1 ?-year wait! But the WWBPA is working to eliminate the backlog. Hopefully we are in the middle of the last hiccup before 10 locker spots are installed.)
Another train commuter, Juan Cardenas, rode 12 miles over four round-trips to the station.
Total so far: 320 miles. Keep pedaling!
Comments Off on 320 Miles in Week One of National Bike MonthMonthly meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month via Zoom. We will eventually resume meeting in the West Windsor Municipal Building. Email us at [email protected] if you would like the Zoom code.
Find us at the West Windsor Farmers Market (Vaughn Drive parking lot) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every other Saturday from May through Halloween.
August 22 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
August 29 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
September 2 — at the farmers market
September 5 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
September 12 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
September 14 — monthly meeting
September 16 — at the farmers market
September 19 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
September 26 — Weekly walking group at Community Park
September 30 — at the farmers market and bike drive to benefit Bike Exchange
October 12 — monthly meeting
October 14 — at the farmers market
October 28 — at the farmers market
November 9 — monthly meeting
December 14 — monthly meeting
Ongoing – Register your bike with the WW Police Department for free
Volunteer Opportunities – Sign up to give back to the community
Recent Infrastructure
Proposals and Actions
In support of a walking and biking path along the Dinky tracks (sent separately to many elected officials)
A call for rapid-flashing beacons for the intersection of Penn-Lyle and Canoe Brook
Clarksville Road bridge recommendations (and response from NJDOT project consultants)
Recommendations for improvements around the Princeton Junction train station
Suggested locations for rapid-flashing pedestrian beacons
Suggestions for bicycle and pedestrian improvements
Freeholders Clarksville Road Crossing at Hawk Drive
Cranbury Road Improvements