Sights and details from the 2011 NJ Bike and Walk Summit

UPDATED! 

I knew that Jen Benepe would have much more extensive look into this years NJ Bike and Walk Summit which is one of the reasons why I didn't really bother going into great detail here.  Plus, when I cover events, I often just shoot from the hip.  Jen, with a degree in journalism could be seen diligently scribbling on her notepad all day at the Summit.  I wasn't willing to compete against that.  For more in-depth coverage of the Summit, take a look at Part 1 of Jen's coverage on her Benepe's Bike Blog.  

The impressive Trenton Masonic Temple.

Without a doubt the 2011 New Jersey Bike and Walk Summit hosted by the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition was a great success.  The event was held in the beautifully exquisite Masonic Temple directly across the Trenton Barracks and a block form the State House.

For a general gist of the days events, the summit agenda pretty much covers most of what you need to know.  The expected highlight of the day was the keynote address given by Rutgers' and New Jersey's own Prof. John Pucher, famous the world over for his groundbreaking bicycle and pedestrian research.  As is typical of the man, he gave one of his memorable presentations that had the crowed laughing and roweled up. However there was much more to the summit including a number of neat and unexpected highlights that were not on the schedule.

First, Jim Nicholson was given an award for his leadership role in founding the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition.  I've told him personally but I think every bicyclist and pedestrian in New Jersey owes him a debt of gratitude for getting the Coalition off and running.

The crowed gives Jim Nicholson a standing "o" for his work with the Coalition.

The other big highlight of the day was the awarding of a $5,000 grant from the good folks at the REI to help continue to good work of the NJ BikeSchool (link to in depth presentation about program).  Founded through the incredibly hard fought efforts of Leigh Ann Von Hagen at the Voorhees Transportation Center, NJ BikeSchool brings League of American Bicyclists, Cycling Instructors to schools around the state so that children are given a solid education on the safe operation of a bicycle.

Leigh Ann grins ear to ear after receiving the big plastic check.

So if you didn't make it this year, you sure missed out. For more of the sights from the summit, check out the photo gallery below. Remember though, all photos in this post as well as all other unattributed photos on this blog are copyrighted and I'll only grant permission to copy them if you ask in writing.  Enjoy!

Driver assaults 50+ cyclists in Brazilian Critical Mass ride

Two riders in critical condition

I've not always been a big fan of the way some Critical Mass rides have been executed.  My take is that these rides should be very passive, follow all vehicle laws and take only one traffic lane when there are several to choose from.  I am not sure what the case was here and I am also not familiar with the way Brazilian law handles bicyclists so I can't add anything else except that I'm really surprised that this hasn't happened during any U.S. Critical Mass as of yet.



The video above is the version that actually includes footage of the attack that happened this past weekend.  It is all very violent and graphic so be warned!  I've embedded this version (there are less graphic edits) because I feel that it is critically important for people to understand the violence that an automobile is capable of perpetrating.  This is also one of the rare video examples of a car crashing into one or more cyclists and I again feel that it is important for all people understand how violent a car / bicycle crash really is.

The primary lesson that we should take from this tragedy is that there is little difference between the potential violence and carnage that can be perpetrated using an assault weapon or an automobile. This video is proof of that and it's time that our laws acknowledge this reality!

Such a horrible event saddens all of us at WalkBikeJersey and we wish (and pray) for nothing but the best  for all the victims of this savage attack.

WBJ was made aware of this incident from Streetsblog LA.  More info about the tragedy can be found there.

LAB president, Andy Clarke to speak at next WWBPA meeting.

The below comes to WalkBikeJersey from the good folks at the West Windsor Bike/Ped Alliance.  The location of their meeting is an easy bikable or walkable mile from the Princeton Junction train station (more below).

Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, (www.bikeleague.org) , the oldest national bicycling organization, will speak at the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance’s annual meeting on Thursday March 17. LAB recognizes bicycle-friendly communities, businesses – even universities. Andy will talk about what we can all do to make our communities friendlier for bicyclists and pedestrians and why it matters.

In addition, WWBPA trustees will talk about our plans for 2011, including our second annual Community Walk, our West Windsor Bikes: lose the training wheels event at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market on May 21 and our efforts to expand West Windsor-Plainsboro’s participation in International Walk to School Day. We’ll also be taking suggestions from members about projects and activities that they’d like to see. In addition, we’ll be honoring three people for their service to the community and introducing our next group of student advisors.

It all takes place at 7 p.m. March 17 at the West Windsor Senior Center, off Clarksville Road at North Post Road, next to the post office. Light refreshments will be provided.

West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance
Follow our progress on www.wwbpa.org

Directions to the March 17th WWBPA meeting at the West Windsor Senior Center (next to the Post Office).

View Larger Map

CBS 2 News questions Hoboken's bike initiative

If any of you read Streetsblog NYC (or actually watch CBS 2 News), you will know that for some odd reason, the editorial staff at the Channel 2 News seems to have it out for New York City's innovative and bold bicycle planning initiative.  Well, not content to just focus their displeasure on only NYCDoT on this issue, the news staff CBS 2 has crossed the Hudson to take a shot across the bow of New Jersey's most progressive town on bike/ped planning, Hoboken.

While their bias is again heavily slanted, as is evident in the way the piece opens up, it’s not as bad as I feared it could have been, particularly if you saw any of Marcia Kramer's truly anti-bike lane pieces from the past 6 months.



Unfortunately CBS 2 News never got anyone from the City of Hoboken, like the mayor or Ian Sacs (Director of Transportation and Parking for the City of Hoboken), to rebut any of the article's insinuations. If they did, they might have been informed that bike riding on the sidewalk is a sign that the city streets are perceived by some cyclists to be too dangerous to ride on. The best remedy for this problem would be some sort of bicycle facility, like a bike lane, sharrow or even a cycletrack to give cyclists a more comfortable and appropriate place to ride.  This is a much more effective solution to prevent cyclists riding on the sidewalk then any level of police enforcement.

Thanks goes to Streetsblog for staying on top of daily local news articles focused on sustainable transportation issues.

Videos you can use - Moving Beyond the Automobile: Bicycling

Streetfilms is currently in the midst of a great series called Moving Beyond the Automobile and this weeks installment is focused on bicycling. I figured I'd share it with you all as a bit of fodder to feed your excitement for this Saturday's Bike and Walk Summit.



One note:  It's a shame that of all the towns talked about, there is not one mention of anyplace in New Jersey.  Heck!  Even Columbus, Ohio gets a prop!  Well, then again, I don't think that Philly is mentioned either but it would still be nice to have a town in our state that was at the forefront of this movement to be noticed.

How are you getting to the NJ Bike/Walk Summit this Saturday?

Leave the car at home and walk, bike and/or take transit to get to the NJ Bike and Walk Summit this Saturday, February 26!

The new Trenton Transit Center *

With the NJ Bike and Walk Summit located in Trenton this year there are plenty of opportunities for you to ride, walk, take a trail, train, light rail or bus to get there.  Trenton was ranked as the 8th most walkable city in 2008 by Prevention Magazine.  The new, world class, Trenton Transit Center welcomes riders of NJ Transit's NE Corridor Line, RiverLINE Light Rail as well as numerous bus routes, all equipped to handle riders with bicycles.  Also arriving at the Transit Center are numerous Amtrak trains as well as SEPTA's Trenton Line (formally called the R7).

Bicycle accommodations on the RiverLINE. *

Once you get to the Transit Center getting to the Summit is an easy task.  At only 0.9 miles away, the Masonic Temple is about an 18 minute walk or a 5 minute ride by bicycle.  Sidewalks are plentiful and traffic on State Street is calm and sparse particularly on a Saturday with all the state offices closed.

Also, WalkBikeJersey has been notified that THERE WILL BE BICYCLE PARKING AVAILABLE ON SITE, and likely inside the Masonic Temple.  Make sure you bring a lock even if bicycle parking is allowed inside the building.





View NJ Bike/Walk Summit: Trenton Local Directions in a larger map

It is also possible to take the Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath to get to Trenton from destinations north along the Delaware River and now also from the northeast, from Princeton and destinations beyond. This is due to the recently completed, paved section of trail along Rt US 1 and the train tracks, between Mulberry St and North Broad St.

The dusty but paved new section of trail just south of Mulberry St. *

One is also not restricted to using the D&R Canal Towpath to get into Trenton.  South Clinton Ave makes a fine approach for cyclists from the southwest.  The modified street grid network of Trenton and surrounding Hamilton makes approaches from the area east of Rt 1 fairly doable.  Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the area to the north and west of US Rt 1, out to the loop of I-95 and in the newer sections of Hamilton Township to the east.  Here the residential streets only partially connect and nearly all the arterial roadways have little accommodations for cyclists.  Still, there is always the bus.


View NJ Bike/Walk Summit: Trenton Directions in a larger map

* - All images taken and copyrighted by the author and can only be reproduced after a formal written request is submitted and permission granted.

FREE Webinar: Getting Bike Shops and Advocates To Collaborate on Safe Routes to School

The following is copied from the National Safe Routes to School Partnership announcement for the above titled webinar:

Webinar: Getting Bike Shops and Advocates To Collaborate on Safe Routes to School
Thursday, March 3, 2011, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. EST

Register Today

Are you looking to engage your local bike shop in Safe Routes to School programs? Or, as a local bike shop, have you been looking for ways to get involved in the Safe Routes to School movement but haven’t quite figured out how you fit?

This webinar will highlight success stories in Colorado and Austin, Texas that have teamed a local program with a bike shop to enhance Safe Routes to School efforts. In addition to programmatic highlights, presenters will explain the benefits of involving bike shops, describe a strategy for approaching local bike shops, and discuss concrete ideas for collaboration ranging from low hanging fruit to full-fledged sponsorship.

Involving bike shops in Safe Routes to School projects is key to creating a sustainable program that encourages more bicycling. Any parent, program staff, manager or bike shop staffer that has struggled to implement bicycling within Safe Routes to School activities should attend this webinar!

Presenters:

• Jenna Berman, Education Director, Bicycle Colorado
• Leslie Luciano, Director of Advocacy, Bicycle Sport Shop, Austin, TX
• David Cowan, Program Manager, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• Robert Ping, State Network Director, Safe Routes to School National Partnership

 Click here to register now!

This webinar is part one of a six part webinar series by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership that focuses on bicycling and Safe Routes to School.

Thank you to the SRAM Cycling Fund for making this series possible.

For more information please contact Dave Cowan at dave@saferoutespartnership.org

* Long distance charges apply accordingly.
** Recording of webinar will be available at www.saferoutespartnership.org within seven days of original broadcast.

Federal Bike/Ped monies could be on chopping block this week.

The following message comes from the League of American Bicyclists and is reproduced here in it's entirety for your information:

Potential Attack on funding for bicycling could happen this week
We are on "Amendment Watch"

Dear Friends:

Working with our partners at America Bikes, we have been monitoring and preparing for possible federal budget cuts that could attack biking and walking. This is a “pre-alert” to give you the heads up that if biking and walking funding and programs are attacked, we will have a very short window in which to take action.

If an amendment attacking biking and walking is proposed we will let you know right away and ask that you do your part as a citizen to raise your voice for biking and walking. If such action is required we will provide specific information and directions.

There is no action to take at this moment – this is just a heads up that we need everyone to stand-by for action.

Thank you in advance.

NJ Bike/Walk Summit on-line registration closing on Saturday

The below comes to WalkBikeJersey from the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition:

Today is the closing day for NJ Bike/Walk Summit on-line registration.  The Summit will take place in Trenton, NJ on Saturday, February 26, just ten days away. 

We normally hold registration open for a few days after the deadline because registration forms sent to us by mail lag a bit.  We've decided to leave the on-line registration open also, but only until Saturday, February 21, at which point both mail and on-line registration will close.

We've had an excellent response to the summit and THERE ARE ONLY 15 SPACES LEFT!

If registering for the summit has somehow slipped your mind this year, you still have a short window of opportunity left to register and be part of this event.

Join us in Trenton on February 26 and make a statement for bicycling and walking!

What exactly will NJDOT Bikeway Grants help build?

Ed note - If you're going to read one article in WBJ this week, let it be this one.  I spent the better part of three days doing the research and putting this story together because this is really important. Thanks for reading!

Last week both WalkBikeJersey and NJ Off-Road Biking reported about NJDOT awarding $7.6 million in Local Aid grants. The Bikeway Program is one of the four Local Aid grant programs that was a part of that announcement and it alone awarded nearly $3 million in grants for 12 different projects. Unfortunately the information provided by NJDOT does not go into specifics about each project and just gives the names of the projects and the towns where they are located.

Locations of NJDOT Bikeway Grant recipients throughout NJ.
View NJDOT Bikeway Grant Projects 2011 in a larger map.
Zoom in on project area to see project route details

Without specific information it’s difficult to get an understanding of exactly what this nearly $3 million is going to help build. In light of this, WalkBkeJersey decided to do a little bit of on-line investigating to get a better idea where this money is going. Unfortunately again, plans for all but one of these projects were not to be found on-line. However, through newspaper stories, information on local government websites and through some well deduced interpretations and observations from aerial imagery, I was able get a good idea of what is planned for 8 out of the 12 projects. The end result is the interactive Google map above and project reviews below. I’ve done my best to interpret the information I found and only mapped the projects where I felt I had enough information to do so.

Of the projects I was able to get a good idea about, some are well though out and will have clear benefits for all levels of cyclists.  A few seem to be great ideas but are likely see little use due to location.  Others will take many more years and many millions of dollars to make them practical and usable routes.  Then there are those that are well intentioned but the designs and treatments leave much to be concerned about.  So on to the reviews:

The Good:
1 - Middle Township Bike Path - Phase 3
Grant Award: $320,000
This is by far probably the best project funded through the Bikeways grants this year.  The project will be the continuation of a rail-trail in Cape May County that has the potential to act as a core route through the center of the county, providing connections to the numerous private campgrounds, local downtowns and other tourist attractions.  There is even the potential to one day extended it up to Somers Point to connect to the trail that goes up to Pleasantville near Atlantic City as well as the new Rt 52 causeway with its barrier protect bike/ped facility to Ocean City which will open at the end of 2012.  Looking way into the future there is again the possibility of hooking up to the Barnegate Bay Trail to form a Jersey Shore Trail / Bike Route from Toms River all the way to Cape May Point.

2 - Becks-Cornet Bikeway and Pedestrian Trail Project (Raritain Twp - Hunterdon Cty)
Grant Award - $100,000
This is a great little connector path that will connect three otherwise isolated neighborhoods.  This is an excellent local scale project with great bang for the buck.  It will serve local residents very well as it prevents cyclists and pedestrians from having to use Rt 202/31.  It will also provide a safe and shorter route for long distance cyclists traveling across the township and/or county by providing another back road route from Everitt Rd to Old York Rd.

3 - Barnegat Branch Trail Phase V
Grant Award: $350,000
This will be a continuation of the already popular Barnegat Branch Trail that serves as a non-motorized alternative to Rt 9 in Ocean County, which the trail parallels.  The trail is a good project overall and this phase will serve as a key connector.  However, this part of the trail will run immediately west of Rt 9 which is where the old rail right-of-way happens to be.  This is cause for some concern as the trail will essential be a sidepath along much if not all of what is Phase V.  There are numerous roadways and driveways which the trail will need to cross.  If these crossings are not carefully designed, with the understanding that cyclists are NOT likely to stop at every driveway crossing when they are less than a few hundred feet apart, then there will be some safety issues as sidepaths are known for causing problems at intersections and other crossings.

The Ehh (not great, not bad):
1 - Old York Road Bikeway Phase II
Grant Award: $203,000
Parts of the original Old York Road Bikeway just to the east of this phase include very well engineered on-road bicycle lanes that go up and over the NJ Turnpike.  Unfortunately the section built with this phase will likely see the continuation of the sidepath that can be seen in front of Marter Park but I can't say that with 100% certainty.  I do understand that it is desirable to connect the local (high?) school with the park and the neighborhood to the east on Old York Road.  However, this also appears to be a great place for long distance road cycling.  It would be nice to see this project properly serve road cyclists as there are no usable shoulders on any portion of the roadway this project phase will work on.

2 - Freedom Trail Bikeway Improvements (South Brunswick)
Grant Award: $260,000
This is a somewhat isolated rail-trail project that might otherwise seem like a waste of money if it weren't for the fact that there is the real potential to connect to the D&R Canal Towpath and the East Coast Greenway.  The only problem is that US Rt 1 happens to cut off this portion of the trail with the section west of the highway that is connected to the D&R Towpath.  South Brunswick is hoping to have this remedied with a bridge over Rt 1 but at a cost of $5 million plus, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting to see the two sections connected.

3 - Matts Landing Bikepath Phase 2 (Maurice River Township, Cumberland County)
Grant Award: $190,000
At first glance, even without totally understanding it, this appears to be an interesting little project way down in the hinterlands of Cumberland County on the Delaware Bay.  This is a really beautiful and isolated area of the state that is definitely worth exploring by bike.  However, having actually been to Matts Landing (I worked for a while across the river in Bivalve) I know the local roads around and leading up to Matts Landing get such little traffic that additional bicycle specific infrastructure seems unnecessary.  Due to the areas remoteness I am also concerned that the facility is likely to get little use as was the case with the bicycle paths around Bivalve when I was there.  I understand that the state is trying to help develop eco-tourism in this economically depressed area of New Jersey but with other locations around the state desperately needing bicycle facilities to fill actual demands, it seems more prudent to spend the money elsewhere.

4 - West Ave Bikeway (Atlantic Highlands, Monmouth County)
Grant Award: $150,000
This project could be up in the "Good" category if I had more information about it.  As I understand it, this project will connect the two highly popular Henry Hudson and Bayshore Trails that are separated by just few blocks in Borough of Atlantic Highlands.  Having visited the area numerous times to ride the trails and the roads, it appears that at least a portion of this connection will be via a continuation of the trail along the old railroad right-of-way, however I cannot say with any certainty.  Still, it would seem that using some way-finding signage along the local surface streets would be just as effective, as the local roads in this part of town have little to moderate amounts of traffic at most.  In fact that might be exactly what's planned here as the project is termed "bike compatible road" by NJDOT.

The Bad:
1 - Gibbsboro Bikeway, County Rt 561
Grant Award: $140,000
While I don't know exactly where this project will be built along 561 in Gibbsboro, I feel that it is safe to say that this will be a continuation of the same sidepath treatments that can already be seen along Rt 561.  While I'm a great supporter of well design, barrier protected cycletracks, these sidepaths DO NOT fall into that category. From what I can see from the previous projects, these sidepaths are nothing more than wide sidewalks that are given sidewalk style crosswalk treatments at intersections and driveways.  Sidewalks are great and Rt 561 should have them everywhere in Gibbsboro.  However, knowing that a great number of bicycle/car crashes happen when a bicyclist riding on a sidewalk enters an intersection or crosses a driveway is reason for concern when using this design treatment. This concern becomes even greater when one considers the frequent intersections and driveway curb cuts found along Rt 561 in Gibbsboro.  There are just too many opportunities for turning conflicts between bicyclists and motor vehicles for this type of facility.  Not to sound too much like John Forester but bicycle facilities designed to accommodate even the most timid cyclists should still treat the cyclist like the operator of a vehicle and not like a pedestrian.  And finally, with the construction of these sidepath projects, Rt 561 remains entirely unimproved for vehicular cyclists.

2 - Maurice River Bikeway Trail Phase V (Millville)
Grant Award: $390,000
It would seem nice to go for a bike ride on a path along a scenic river but at what point does the cost to create such a trail become too great?  With a grant award of $390,000 to build little over 1000ft of bicycle path, one can't help but ask this question.  Yes, this part of the path will navigate through wetlands which greatly adds to the cost.  But soon after this portion is complete, the next segment of path will be forced down a narrow corridor behind an industrial site.  Not exactly scenic.  Beyond that, it is still nearly a mile before that path would reach its southern terminus and its (likely) only other access at Fowser Rd.  Before reaching Fowser Rd the trail would likely again need to navigate numerous wetlands, with all the associated additional costs.

If one then considers the presence of local roadways, the transportation utility of the trail also comes into question.  Just to the west, 3rd Street already provides a more direct route for cyclists between the Fowser Rd area and Main St. Millville, all while avoiding Rt 47.  As such it is difficult to see this trail serving much of a transportation purpose when more direct route already exist on secondary road like 3rd Street.

While there is the potential for a great scenic pathway here, I cannot help but question the cost of this project in money and ecological disturbance, particularly when another safe route already exists for pedestrians and bicyclists.  If this was a critical connector for a large regional trail that would connect to areas beyond Millville and Cumberland County, then the project might be worth the costs.  However as just scenic trail with limited access and utility, it would seem that this money would be better spent elsewhere.

Don't know enough to comment:
1 - Seawood Harbor Bicycle Trail (Brick Twp, Ocean County)
Grant Award: $190,000
2 - Wildwoods Elevated Bike Path Connector Project
Grant Award: $290,000
3 - Bike, Hike and Roll Throughway Extension (Elizabeth)
Grant Award: $290,000

How Many People Commute By Bike In Your Town?

Link to Larger Map

The interactive map above contains the bicycling to work numbers from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2005-2009 by Municipality. Clicking on any NJ town on the map will give you additional information such as the number and percentage of those taking transit or walking to work.

This data should not be confused with the 2010 Census, the American Community Survey is a large ongoing phone survey that covers questions that are no longer included with the 10 year Census.

Bike to Work data is not representative of the actual number of bicycle trips taken because it only accounts for commuters who bike to work more than 3 days a week. It doesn't count occasional riders or bicyclists riding to transit (they are counted as transit riders). It is however a good barometer of bicycle activity in a given area.

Census Data - http://factfinder.census.gov

Mapping - http://geocommons.com

Note: due to the size of the map we suggest closing the "Layers" tab moving the map to the right before clicking to view the attributes for any town. Alternatively simply click on Link to Larger Map.

Videos you can use - Feb 11, 2011

Again, I don't like to just rehash content that is already out there on the web without at least a little analysis but the following two videos that were featured on Streetsblog NYC are just too good and pertinent not to share.

The first is a look at the different view the media and law enforcement has of cyclists and of the drivers that hit them in the Netherlands. Clarence's analysis of the differences is spot on and needs no further comment so take a look at what he has to say here.



Also, and maybe even more relevant to New Jersey, is this video meant to counteract some of the national push-back on Red Light Cameras. The video has it's very disturbing moments, so be warned. There is a bit of irony since much if not all of the video of the crashes seem to have been shot on Red Light Cameras (tragically ironic, really since the cameras didn't seem to help those victims). Again Streetsblog's analysis along with that of the commenters just about says it all.

Christie Admin. announces $7.6 million in Local Aid grants

33 grants to be awarded through four Local Aid programs

The following is a verbatim copy of the NJDOT press release with the same above title.  Readers should note that monies awarded from all four individual grant programs are helping to pay for projects intended to make improvements for bicyclist and pedestrians almost exclusively. -Ed.

(Trenton) - The Christie Administration today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will award 33 grants worth a total of $7.6 million to municipal and county recipients through four Local Aid programs.

The state-funded grants will support projects that competed for FY 11 funding under the Transit Village, Centers of Place, Bikeways and Safe Streets to Transit programs, each of which falls under New Jersey’s $200 million Local Aid program. A total of 237 submissions competed for the funding.

“These grants will support a variety of safety and quality-of-life projects at the local level without burdening local property taxpayers,” said NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson. “The level of competition demonstrates how valuable these grants are to local officials who make difficult spending decisions each year.”

The following lists grant and background information by program:

Transit Village Initiative
Ten of the 14 grant applications are being funded for a total of $2.6 million.
The awards are being made to designated Transit Village municipalities and will support improvement projects within walking distance of a transit facility.  The Transit Village initiative encourages mixed-use development and economic revitalization in New Jersey towns where public transportation facilities already exist.

Centers of Place
Five of 53 submissions are being funded for a total of $1.1 million.
The grants will fund non-traditional local improvement projects, including projects in downtown business districts. Centers of Place grants advance development in municipalities designated as “urban, regional, town or village centers” in accordance with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. Eligible projects include landscaping and beautification of transportation facilities, restoration and aesthetic improvements to historic transportation structures and upgrades to existing parking management systems.

Bikeways Program
Twelve of 95 grant applications are being funded for total approaching $2.9 million.
The Bikeways program provides funds to counties and municipalities to promote the safe use of bicycles as an alternate transportation mode. NJDOT encourages municipalities and counties to apply for funding for bikeways that are physically separated from vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier.

Safe Streets to Transit
Six of 75 grant applications are being funded for a total of $1 million.
The program funds local and county projects that enhance safety for those who are traveling to public transportation.

NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant when a recipient awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon project completion.

News you can use - Feb. 10, 2011

This was a bumper day and week in the news regarding bike and pedestrian issues around the state today so instead of try to rehash everything in my own words it's just easier for me to link you directly to the stories.

NJDOT announces grants of nearly $3 million for bikeway development around New Jersey
NJ Off-Road Biking

Butler's crosswalk to nowhere 
Suburban Trends

More Cyclists = Safer Cycling in Minneapolis
Streetsblog Network

NY Counties Oppose Complete Streets Bill Without Understanding It
Streetsblog

Chinese Mayors Encourage Car Owners to Use Public Transit Instead
Scientific American

Tri-State releases Most Dangerous Roads for Walking - 2011

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign released its third edition of its report titled The Region's Most Dangerous Roads for Walking (2011).  Included with the 10 page report are a series of factsheets for each county in the area that the TSTC covers along with links to interactive Google maps showing the locations of the crashes and the hotspot roadways.  New Jersey gets special consideration by TSTC as it is the only state to have the crash data for all of its counties broken down.  


This map Middlesex Ped Fatals 2007-2009 is a sample of the interactive maps produced by TSTC.

While another superb report by TSTC, I have two small nits to pick with the rankings and the report itself. The report ranks the level of danger of a roadway by using the gross number of fatalities on a roadway without considering the length of the roadway.  I think knowing “fatalities per mile of roadway” is a much better metric for ranking the true danger each roadway presents to pedestrians.  Yes, 130 in Burlington County has a great number of pedestrian fatalities and this fact is of great cause for concern but it is also a fairly long stretch of roadway.  It may be that there are other roadways with less fatalities but are also shorter in length and therefore pose a greater threat to pedestrians per mile.

Also, the report is somewhat light on analysis.  The report does make some insightful observation, including:

• that 2/3rds of pedestrian fatalities happen on multi-lane roadways with higher speed limits,
• that these roadways often have little in accommodations for pedestrians,
• yet these roadways also have a great number of destinations that attract pedestrians.

However that is about the extent of it. There is no analysis into the cause of the crashes or the prevailing type of crash scenario.  I expected the interactive map to have more detailed information about the crashes (such as time of day, if the driver was drunk, if the pedestrian was drunk, was it a hit-and-run, was the pedestrian walking down the street, crossing the street, presence of a sidewalk, crosswalk, etc,.) possibly even a copy of the crash report but all that was given is the age of the pedestrian and the crash date.

Still, all this additional information may not even be necessary.  Just synthesizing the spacial relationship of crash locations alone and the ages of the victims paints a shockingly clear picture of where scares resources need to go.  The report is already having the desired effect of getting picked up in the local media as the examples here, here and here demonstrate.  Yet, I can't help but to want to know more.

Streetfilms: Snow piles as de facto traffic calming

With all the snow on the ground for the past two months, one can't help but notice how all the piles of snow on the streets have been acting as de facto bulb-outs and neck-downs. I've been meaning to go out a document this in my neighborhood but today I came across this great video by Clarence at Streetfilms.  So why bother trying to reinvent the wheel when an expert such as Clarence has done such a great job demonstrating the principle already.  Enjoy!



BTW, Clarence is a really great guy and a good friend of Kerri down at Second Life Bikes in Asbury Park.

FREE FHWA Pedestrian Safety Webinar on February 23

The following is forwarded here from Tamara Redmon, Pedestrian Safety Program Manager at the Federal Highway Administration.

The next FHWA Pedestrian Safety Webinar will take place on Wednesday, February 23, from 1:00-2:30 Eastern Time.

This FREE webinar will feature a presentation on the FHWA’s newly completed Pedestrian Safety Strategic Plan: Recommendations for Research and Product Development that can be viewed here:  http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/pssp/.   This 15-year plan ensures that the entire pedestrian program and each project undertaken by FHWA are aimed at reaching the goal of reducing pedestrian fatalities and injuries.

In order to register for this webinar, please click here:  https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=22420

Roundabout video shows locals eating "Humble Pie"

This is a great, well edited but simple video of a well designed roundabout and of all the locals residents admitting that all their strong doubts about the project were entirely unfounded.  The location is Glens Falls, NY.  While this is primarily a project to benefit motorized traffic, there are still a great deal of pedestrian amenities like bump-outs and streetscaping not clearly shown in this video, around the roundabout and down the main street.  It would be curious to see what people's reactions would have been if the video interviewed a whole bunch of locals after a (pedestrian zone, woonerf / shared space / play street, bike lane, traffic calming, shared use path, etc. - choose one) was installed that was never intended to solve a traffic flow problem. That would be much more interesting, indeed.

Also, I wonder if that being from up state New York has anything to do with people willing to admit that they were wrong.  If you threw in a little "Jersey Attitude," would it change people's opinions of the end results?



If your curious to see what the intersection looked like prior to the change, this Google aerial image shows what it once looked like.  Then to compare, you can go to the Streetsview and see what it looks like today while you take a virtual drive through the roundabout.  The transformation is incredible and exceptionally well done (bike lanes?)!

New York City bicycle show to be held Saturday April 30

The following is an edited press release for the New Amsterdam Bicycle Show - AB.

New York Press and Transportation Alternatives, announce the first New York City bicycle show in five years. The New Amsterdam Bicycle Show: Benefiting Transportation Alternatives will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Center 548548 W 22nd St in Chelsea, from 10 am to 7 pm and will kick off Bike Month NYC 2011.

Tickets are now available online at (www.newambikeshow.com) and cost $15 for general admission in advance and $20 day of the event. The show will benefit Transportation Alternatives, the advocacy group dedicated to reclaiming the city’s streets from automobiles. TA representatives will be on hand to provide valet bicycle parking to guests as well as safe and useful bicycling tips for new New York City cyclists.

This large bicycle show will feature more than 33,000 square feet of unique bikes and accessories over three huge floors and is geared to promote “the alternative transportation lifestyle” to the ever-growing number of New York City cyclists. Transportation Alternatives recently estimated 201,000 New Yorkers were riding each day in 2010.

The New Amsterdam Show will focus on the future of cycling and the burgeoning New York City bicycle industry, which includes bicycle makers such as Mike Flanigan of ANT and Bowery Lanes Bicycles. Also participating are New York’s specialty shops like Adeline, Adeline, Bicycle Habitat and Brooklyn’s Rolling Orange, as well as many national and international bike brands, designers, bike tours companies and lifestyle accessories.

The New Amsterdam Bicycle Show takes its cue from Amsterdam, Holland's capital and the friendliest biking city on the globe. The event will also feature information on many bike-centered events related to Bike Month NYC 2011—from organized rides by BIKE NEW YORK to film screenings and fashion shows in and around town.

Bicycle manufacturers and makers of products related to bicycling are welcomed to become involved. To find out more about tickets for this event, how to become a sponsor or how to become an exhibitor at The New Amsterdam Bicycle Show, please visit www.newambikeshow.com

Bike JC sets goals for 2011 at Tuesday's meeting

Fourteen intrepid bicycling soles braved the cold and ice on Tuesday evening and made it out to Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City for Bike JC's first meeting of the new year.  Even I made my way all the way up to Jersey City to see what these good folks are up to.  Their meeting boiled down to a number of key items.

Bike JC is looking into filing for 501(c)(3) status.  Currently they are just a loose gathering of like-minded people looking to improve the state of cycling in Jersey City.  As part of this they are also investigating whether or not they should become a League of American Bicyclists affiliated club, notably for the insurance LAB provides its affiliated clubs for liability incurred during officially sanctioned bike rides.

Bike JC would like to do more bicycle education in association with the Hudson TMA.  As part of this goal, one (if not more) of Bike JC's members became an LCI by attending the LCI training seminar in Hoboken last fall hosted by Hudson TMA.

Another issue discussed was the need for more and better bike parking throughout the city.  One place of particular concern was the plaza at the Grove Street PATH Station.  First, the bicycle parking at this location is facilitated with an APBP non-compliant style of bike rack and there simply isn't enough bike parking to meet demand.  To compound this problem at this location (and others) there are many abandoned bicycles taking up precious space.  Beyond the Grove Street Station, Bike JC would like to see the city come up with a general bicycle parking plan and start installing bicycle racks throughout the city.  This is taking on great urgency at this moment in time as Jersey City is removing their traditional parking meters, long a highly secure default bicycle parking option, with "muni style" parking pay stations.

Along with this, there was a general curiosity about the PA of NY/NJ with regards towards their policies about bicycles.  While all were aware of the PA's statement regarding the inclusion of bicyclists needs in future projects and policies, many wanted to know when that would amount to actual changes, particularly with access to PATH trains and bicycle parking at the stations.

By far most of the discussion focused on possible Bike to Work Week activities this May along with "Ward Tour 2.0."  While it sounded like Bike to Work Week activities may have to be put off this time around, there was much excitement and talk about repeating and exceeding the success of last years inaugural Ward Tour.  Last year over 530 bicyclists came out to see what Jersey City has to offer.  This year's event is likely to be held on either Sunday May 16th (but don't quote me on this), the day before Bike to Work Week and Bike JC would like to see this years event far surpass last years success.

A scene from "Ward Tour 1.0".  Image: Bike JC

Finally, the leaders at Bike JC said that they want to see some tangible bicycle safety improvements installed in the city before the end of the year.  This may be ambitious but it is a noble goal to aspire to.  There is excess road capacity between the curb lines on a multitude of city arterial streets, as many in Bike JC are readily aware.  And beyond the arterials, the traditional grid network of the city makes many side streets ideal alternatives.  Jersey City has a great deal of potential as a bicycling town and Bike JC members would like to see a first concrete (pun intended) step towards that reality before years end.

Overall, I was very encouraged by what I saw at Bike JC's meeting this past Tuesday.  They are a well organized and capable group with a good amount of "on the saddle" streetsmarts.  I look forward to seeing how they progress this year with their goals and will make a point of attending their Ward Tour 2.0

NJDOT announces $78.75 million in local aid grants for FY 2011

Bike/Ped specific projects 7% of all funded

According to a NJDOT press release, 370 municipalities will be receiving local aid grants as part of NJDOT's $200 million Local Aid program. NJDOT received 677 applications requesting more than $246 million for the FY 2011 municipal aid grants.  As could be imagined, competition for the scarce grant monies was fierce, particularly now.  Fortunately, bicycle and pedestrian projects were not forgotten, and in fact were encouraged by Commissioner James Simpson.  I quote:

...towns are encouraged to submit applications for such non-traditional projects as those that support safety, walking and biking and streetscape improvements in their communities. Seven percent of the projects selected for funding were of that type.

The Comissioner also went on to say:

Resurfacing projects will always represent the bulk of the awards, but we were pleased with the number of non-traditional entries because it means we are increasingly recognizing the needs and safety of all who share our roadways

This is indeed great news.  However, I can't help but wonder, of the other 93% of projects, how many of those could or even should have had bicycle and pedestrian improvements integrated into the design scope?  As the commissioner even said, the bulk of the grant request were for street resurfacing, however street resurfacing is often the ideal time to make bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements.  Why dig up a road twice?!?! For example, many experts say that street resurfacing is the perfect time to stripe bicycle lanes (if appropriate for the roadway).

Still, the tone of this press release is extremely encouraging and shows that NJDOT continues down a path of improving conditions for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users.  In the future it would be great to read NJDOT giving greater preference to municipal governments that take a Complete Streets approach to all grant requests.  However, this is a great first step towards that goal.  I'll take that!

Volunteers Needed For Collingswood Bike Rodeo

The following was originally written by John Boyle and posted on the Greater Philadelphia Bicycle News. It is reprinted here with the permission of our friends at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

Local Advocacy works! The Collingswood Streets group will be sponsoring their first event - a Bike Rodeo at the Collingswood Green Festival on April 16th.

Collingswood Streets needs volunteers to help make the event a success. Specifically they are looking for:

• People to join the planning committee.
• LCI's (League Certified Instructors) for the day of the event
• Other volunteers with strong bicycle skills
• Bike mechanics

To volunteer contact Stella Bonaparte founder of Collingswood Streets.
Collingswood Streets on Facebook

Collingswood also hosts a community Bike Share program which allows residents to borrow a refurbished bicycles for extended periods of time.

View Larger Map

Planet Bike in East Brunwsick extensively damaged by fire

The Star-Ledger print edition reported today that Planet Bike on Rt 18 in East Brunswick received extensive damage from a fire yesterday morning short before 7am.  Fortunately it appears that no one was injured in the blaze.  Partial coverage can be found at the bottom of this online article.

This is sure to be a blow to the folks at Planet Bike as all bikes shops are getting ready to build up their 2011 inventories at the end of this month.  We at WalkBikeJersey wish the folks at Planet Bike the best of luck in getting their shop back in order and hope to report about their recovery in the near future.

Space still available in "Bike Driver's Ed" workshop

The below is forwarded here on WalkBikeJersey from Rich Conroy at Bike New York.  It is my understanding that those wishing to take this workshop do not need to be LCI's but will likely need to be teachers.  Interested persons should ask Rich directly.

Bike New York will be offering their Bike Driver's Ed training workshop at the upcoming NJAHPERD conference in Long Branch, NJ on February 16th.  The Bike Driver's Ed training equips Educators to implement a multi-session bicycle skills program for elementary, pre-teen, and teen cyclists, such as for use in PE classes, after-school programs, or summer camps. Educators will be prepared to teach students how to drive their bicycles as vehicles on the road. Participants gain an understanding of vehicular traffic rules and cyclists' responsibilities, proper bike and helmet fit, use of gears and brakes, essential bike handling skills, and basic repair and maintenance.

There is still some space available for this training.  If you or anyone you know may be interested, please call or email Rich Conroy

Rich Conroy

Bicycle Education Program Director

Bike New York

www.bikenewyork.org

rconroy@bikenewyork.org

212-932-2453 x159

Pedestrian deaths are always more than just statistics

I was reading The Star-Ledger today (yes, real newsprint) and came across the tragic story of the life and death of Joao Silva written by columnist Barry Carter.  It was so touching that I felt must be shared with you all.  Stories like this, that put a real human face on the statistics we hear about everyday, are important to remind us what's at stake.

Silva was the chef at St. Philip's Academy who had a knack for sneaking healthy vegetables into the school lunches without the kids ever noticing.  He was hit and killed while crossing Central Ave in a crosswalk directly in front of the school, as he walked to work back in early November.

Barry Carter's story about Joao Silva and his memorial service can be found here.

The original story about the fatal crash can be found here.