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

LAB President, Andy Clark to speak at WWBPA annual meeting

League of American Bicyclists President, Andy Clark will be coming to West Windsor on March 17th to speak at the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance annual meeting.

Mr . Clark was scheduled to speak at last years WWBPA meeting which was scheduled a day or two before the New Jersey Bicycle Summit but had to cancel due to a horrendous snowstorm that nearly canceled the state summit as well.

WWBPA welcomes all bike/ped advocates to attend this meeting and will release more details as the event date draws nearer.

How was that Congressional Ride on the D&R Canal?

This past weekend around 50 people joined the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition (note the name), the East Coast Greenway Alliance, Trenton Cycling Revolution and the West Windsor Bicycle & Pedestrian Alliance to ride and celebrate the newly-constructed portion of the D&R Canal Path in Trenton. This portion of the Canal was lost long ago when NJDOT covered the canal to build the Freeway section of Route US 1. The new section of trail was built along side an active but rarely used freight line and around several billboards (oddly enough it was the billboards that cause more trouble than the train tracks - watch Rush Holt's comments in video).


View D&R Canal Final Link in a larger map

Joining the above groups in celebrating the completion of this trail were several elected representatives. Most notable was Congressman Rush Holt (Democrat 12th District) and Assemblywoman Grace Spencer (Democrat 23rd District - Newark / Hillside) (Grace gets extra kudos for coming down all the way from Newark and riding with us. PS - This lady can ride!!).

Here is a video that Paige of the New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition did of the opening speeches given by the present elected representatives.




Here are some pictures of the ride to the Battle Monument in Trenton from the Brearley House in Lawrenceville, including the new section of trail. Also don't forget to check out the video of the new trail made by John at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

NJB&WC President Jim Nicholson shakes Congressman Rush Holt's
hand for a job well done by the Congressman in helping complete the trail.

Riders along a well established section of D&R Canal Towpath.

Cyclists ride down the ramp to the bridge over US Route 1.

Cyclists enjoy the new section of trail in Trenton.

Another view along the new section of trail.

Cyclists arrive at the beautiful Trenton Battle Monument.


Riders return back to the Bearley House by crossing the canal to continue on the trail.

Op-Ed: WWBPA shows how local advocacy is done

I know I recently talked about how well the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance (WWBPA) does local advocacy but I was again VERY impressed by an example of their work.

The WWBPA is advocating that a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Bear Brook and Bear Brook Roads be made more bicycle friendly so it is can better suit the needs of all skill levels of cyclists. On their website they have even created a specific webpage highlighting their advocacy efforts on this particular road project in their town. What is most impressive about their advocacy efforts is their correspondence to their mayor and town council which they again have posted on that special webpage. The letters are very professional and show a high degree of political savvy. They even included a diagram of a ideal bicycle "friendlier" roundabout, which I'm dying to know the source of (Yes I know; dangling participle).

View Larger Map - Site of the proposed roundabout.

When many of us left Denville at the end of the NJ Bicycle Summit back in February, we were told to go out and make a difference in our local communities by every one of the national advocate leaders that came and spoke with us that day. Well, if you want to see a superb New Jersey example of how a local advocacy group stumps for bicycle and pedestrian innovation in their own towns, I can't think of a better group to emulate than WWBPA.

I just hope the Bike&Walk Montclair folks don't take too much offense to my saying that (I hear they have a "bike lane fairy").

Two Important Bicycle Advocacy Events This Week

THE BICYCLE SUMMIT IS SOLD OUT!!!

That's right. The first New Jersey Bicycle Summit being hosted by our friends at the New Jersey Bicycle Coalition is a complete sell-out. All 130 tickets have been sold and this event is sure to a be a rousing success.

However for all of you who wanted or just couldn't attend, don't worry, there is another landmark event happening this same week.

ALSO

MEETING POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER!!!

On February 25, 2010 the West Windsor Bicycle & Pedestrian Alliance will host Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists.

7:30 p.m.
West Windsor Municipal Building
271 Clarksville Road

View Larger Map

LAB champions bicycle-friendly communities, not only for the health of cyclists, but for the wider economic benefits they bring to communities.

Please be aware that the WWBPA is hosting Mr Clarke as part of their annual meeting but is open to the public. This is an excellent opportunity for people to hear and speak with one the most influential persons in bicycle advocacy in the United States. While Mr. Clarke will also be one of the featured speakers at the NJ Bicycle Summit two days latter, this is another opportunity to for those to meet Mr. Clarke who are unable to attend the Bicycle Summit.

WWBPA will also discuss its goals for 2010 and vote for trustees. If you live in town or in the area come and see how one of the best local bicycle and pedestrian groups operate.

LAB Executive Dirrector, Andy Clarke to speak at WWBPA Meeting

On February 25, 2010 the West Windsor Bicycle & Pedestrian Alliance will host Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists.

7:30 p.m.
West Windsor Municipal Building
271 Clarksville Road

View Larger Map

LAB champions bicycle-friendly communities, not only for the health of cyclists, but for the wider economic benefits they bring to communities.

Please be aware that the WWBPA is hosting Mr Clarke as part of their annual meeting but is open to the public. This is an excellent opportunity for people to hear and speak with one the most influential persons in bicycle advocacy in the United States. While Mr. Clarke will also be one of the featured speakers at the NJ Bicycle Summit two days latter, this is another opportunity to for those to meet Mr. Clarke who are unable to attend the Bicycle Summit.

WWBPA will also discuss its goals for 2010 and vote for trustees. If you live in town or in the area come and see how one of the best local bicycle and pedestrian groups operate.

WWBPA does public comments right

Just a few days ago this week the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance released their public comments regarding the redesign of the Main St. section of County Rt 571, Princeton Hightstown Rd. I suggest that any and all New Jersey advocacy groups take a look at their comments since they are very well done and could be used as a model for other groups to emulate. Also, notice who they copied on their correspondence. Their comments can be found here.

Also, for some background information, here is a presentation given on December 15th 2009 that reviews some of the planned "improvements" for the roadway.

View Larger Map
The section of County Rt 571 in West Windsor Township in question.