Celebrate National Bike to School Day and New Jersey Walk and Bike to School Week

Today, for the first time ever, communities across the country will join together to celebrate National Bike to School Day. Schools, cities, bicycle groups, public health organizations and parents alike are organizing bike rides and bike trains to school to highlight and celebrate the benefits of choosing student-powered transportation to school.

To date, more than 700 Bike to School Day events in 49 states and the District of Columbia have already registered on the official website, www.walkbiketoschool.org. And the total number of participating schools is expected to grow throughout May, which is National Bike Month.

Safe Routes in North Plainfield

Check out this great Safe Routes to School video produced by Ridewise.  The video discusses the successful district-wide Safe Routes to School program in North Plainfield, New Jersey. Great job Ridewise!!

Learn more about Ridewise and SRTS programs in Somerset County by visiting the Ridewise website or contacting James Crane, the Ridewise Safe Routes to School Coordinator

http://ridewise.org/

James Crane, Safe Routes to School Project Manager

(908) 704-1011 ext. 11

james@ridewise.org

Making Bicycling to School Count

The before-school scene is pretty typical at Montclair’s Edgemont Elementary School, with parents shouting to their children to have a good day and those children, in turn, chattering excitedly with classmates about the latest school yard news. However, unlike most schools, Edgemont is beginning to see its front entrance becoming slightly less crowded with cars and more crowded with families strolling over from the park across the street. Providing a background to these morning exchanges is the sound of the humble catalyst for an increased sense of community: the faint, periodic chiming of the school’s Zap Machine, a key part of the Boltage program.

Stride and Ride With Hudson TMA

Each year, in June, the Hudson TMA provides a fun and interactive outdoor bicycle safety program. Seventy volunteers work with children at ten safety stations and obstacle courses affording a unique educational experience. The program is free and the children who wish to participate must have their own bicycle and be accompanied by a guardian.

To learn more about the Stride & Ride event and to see pictures and video from last year’s bike rodeo, visit the Hudson TMA webpage

Register for the Upcoming Walking School Bus Webinar

This webinar is brought to you by two Transportation Management Associations — Greater Mercer TMA and Keep Middlesex Moving, and the New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center with support from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Technical note: To hear the webinars, your computer must be able to play audio.

 

“All Aboard the Walking School Bus: Walking to School in a Safe, Fun, and Healthy Way”

Thurs. April 19, 12:15pm – 1:00pm

Walking School Buses and Bike Trains are great for getting more kids to walk and bike to school, but organizing them can be a challenge. Join us for this 45 minute webinar on successful approaches and resources for creating group walks and rides to school.

This webinar will help participants:

• Understand the benefits of creating a Walking School Bus
• Learn the key components of a successful program
• Hear case studies of successful programs in New Jersey
• Learn about resources available to help implement a Walking School Bus or Bike Train program

Click here to register for this webinar.

Mark your calendars for two exciting upcoming Safe Routes to School webinars!

These webinars are brought to you by two Transportation Management Associations — Greater Mercer TMA and Keep Middlesex Moving, and the New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center with support from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Technical note: To hear the webinars, your computer must be able to play audio.

“Walking and Biking to School: Inspiring Safer, Healthier, More Active Students”

Thurs. March 29, 12:15pm – 1:00pm

During this 45 minute webinar, you’ll learn the basics of Safe Routes to School. Whether you are new to Safe Routes to School or are looking for effective messages to engage your community, this webinar will cover key messages and practical strategies to get kids walking and biking to school.

This webinar will help participants:

• Discover ways to get SRTS programs off the ground
• Learn why SRTS is so important to our communities and our kids
• Identify the best types of SRTS programs for your community

Click here to register for this webinar.

“All Aboard the Walking School Bus: Walking to School in a Safe, Fun, and Healthy Way”

Thurs. April 19, 12:15pm – 1:00pm

Walking School Buses and Bike Trains are great for getting more kids to walk and bike to school, but organizing them can be a challenge. Join us for this 45 minute webinar on successful approaches and resources for creating group walks and rides to school.

This webinar will help participants:

• Understand the benefits of creating a Walking School Bus
• Learn the key components of a successful program
• Hear case studies of successful programs in New Jersey
• Learn about resources available to help implement a Walking School Bus or Bike Train program

Click here to register for this webinar.

Healthy Community Development Grants

Are you looking for ways to fund a small project that encourages students to walk or bike to school?  If so, Healthy Community Development (HCD) grants may be just the solution you need.

What are Healthy Community Development grants? 

Healthy Community Development grants are issued through the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS), the Office of Nutrition & Fitness (ONF) in Family Health Services and the New Jersey Council of Physical Fitness and Sports (NJCPFS).  Together, these agencies provide grants to organizations looking to fund programs that stymie the increase in obesity and serious chronic disease

The grant operates under the principle that altering the physical environment will encourage people to make healthier decisions and lead a more active lifestyle.  The goal – make the healthy choice the easy choice.  Moreover, the grants are issued as “seed” money.  Grants range from $2500 – $10,000.  The grants act as a catalyst with the hope of giving organizations leverage to attract grants from other community resources.  To date, 87 grants totaling to $300,000 have been issued.