What’s New New?
The new New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center and the new New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center, that’s what. Hosted by the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center within the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, these two New Jersey resources launched “new” updated websites earlier this month.
In addition, among many new New Jersey Safe Routes to School-funded programs that kicked off this year, HART TMA Pedestrian Safety Program and Garfield, NJ Bike Safety Program are early successes.
New New Jersey Safe Routes to School
The New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center debuted its new website supporting the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program located at http://www.saferoutesnj.org/. The new website has new and updated resources available online to assist schools, municipalities and families with enabling and encouraging students to walk and bicycle to school. Some highlights include eight regional SRTS coordinators at each of NJ’s TMAs, a new Safe Routes Recognition program and many new resources. For up to date info, follow the Safe Routes Scoop blog.
Similarly, the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center also announced the debut of its new website supporting the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Bicycle/Pedestrian and Complete Streets program.
New Regional and Local Bike/Ped Ed
HART Pedestrian Safety Program: In 2012, HART TMA began teaching interactive pedestrian safety lessons to elementary school students (grades 1-3) throughout Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The 30-45 minute lesson revolves around a miniature plastic roadway, where each student demonstrates how to cross the street safely. Students also learn how to use their “pedestrian safety toolbox”: eyes, ears, brain and feet.
John Stevenson, HART SRTS Coordinator said, “The students enjoy engaging with the different scenarios and so far HART has taught 270 students.”
For more information, contact Tara Shepard. HART Executive Director at tara@harttma.com.
Garfield Bike Safety Program: Garfield, NJ begins its Recreation Department Bike Education Program for middle school students funded by a 2009 New Jersey Safe Routes to School grant this month. The instructors were trained with assistance by the New Jersey Regional Safe Routes to School Coordinator at Meadowlink TMA, bicycles were funded by the grant and helmets were donated by AAA.
Darleen Reveille of the Garfield Health Department said, “I am very excited about the program! Please feel free to visit at any time to see the kids on their SRTS Bikes!”
For more information, contact Darleen at garfieldhealth@optonline.net.
New New Jersey Network
The Safe Routes to School state network project in New Jersey is strengthened by partners like these whose momentum has grown over the last decade. It’s an exciting time to highlight the opportunities and successes of our partners day-to-day as we collectively work toward safe walking and bicycling to and from schools.
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For more information, or to join the New Jersey network, please contact me.
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