Reminder - NJBPAC Meeting December 15th

The below reminder comes to us from Peter Bilton at the Voorhees Transportation Center:

Greetings BPAC Members,

This is a reminder that the next BPAC meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, December 15th at 10am here in the Bloustein building. For directions to the Bloustein School, please refer to the following link:

http://policy.rutgers.edu/school/visitors.php

Those of you who requested parking in the building will receive a parking permit by email.

(Ed - NOT) Attached you will find the meeting agenda and the member updates that were submitted by email. There will be an opportunity to share additional updates during the meeting.

I hope to see you there. As usual for the December meeting, we will be going out to lunch in New Brunswick immediately after the meeting to celebrate the holiday season and the end of a successful year. Everyone is welcome to come.

Thanks,

Peter

--
Peter Bilton

Senior Research Specialist
Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
33 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
732.932.6812 x586

December Newsletter of the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition

Ed. Note - This blog is not directly affiliated with the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition

New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition
December 13, 2010

From the NJBWC President:

We are less than two weeks from the shortest day of the year, which means that Spring is getting closer (I am a glass-half-full kind of guy). Nicer weather means getting outside - and why not get outside on a new bike? The new Trek 7.3 FX Disc bike you have a chance of winning by joining NJBWC, or renewing your membership. Full details here.

Also, don't forget that registration is now open for the BikeWalk2011 Summit in February, to be held in Trenton. More information here.

Jim Nicholson
President, NJBWC

Come Out To Support Biking in Freehold, NJ

John Newman, councilman of Freehold Borough, is asking for our support in his bid to make Freehold, NJ, more bike friendly, by appearing at a public meeting on Monday, December 20. The public portion of this meeting is from 4:00pm until 6:00pm, followed by a discussion by the Borough council of a proposed bike plan for the Borough. There is opposition from the local business community and your support is needed to show that making Freehold a more bike and walk-friendly is in their best interests. For more information, read here...

NEWS BRIEFS...

The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance is proposing that Mercer County adopt a Complete Streets policy similar to that recently adopted by Monmouth County. They are seeking organizations willing to sign on to the letter they will be presenting to the Mercer County Freeholders.

Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved, and sent to the Senate, a continuing resolution funding the federal govenment for the remainder of the US fiscal year. The measure also extends for nine months, January 1 through September 30, the funding under SAFETEA-LU. This appears to be a compromise between the six month extension favored by incoming Transportation Committee chairman John Mica, and the one-year extension favored by outgoing chairman James Oberstar. Read more...

This week saw the release of the Advocacy Advance Report - Bridging the Gaps in Bicycling Networks: An Advocate's Guide to Getting Bikes on Bridges. To read or download a copy of this report, visit the League of American Bicyclists website.

If you have not already signed the on-line petition for the passage of a three-foot safe passing law in New Jersey, please do so here. And pass the word along to your friends. Moving into the new year, we plan to bring this issue to the attention of all of our state legislators, and we need your help. Sign the petition

NJ BIKE/WALK SUMMIT

The New Jersey Bike/Walk Summit will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011, in Trenton, NJ. Registration for this event is now open and early registration is encouraged to ensure that you won't be miss the opportunity of attending and networking with your fellow New Jersey bicycling and walking advocates.

Watch this newsletter for coming announcements about the day's program, panels and speakers. There will be no registration at the door, it is pre-registration only. So be sure to reserve your place in the Grand Hall at the Masonic Temple in Trenton for this exciting event.

ABOUT US

The New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition's mission is to PROTECT the rights and safety of NJ walkers and bicyclists; PROMOTE bicycling and walking for fun, fitness and transportation; EDUCATE bicyclists, walkers and drivers about our rights and responsibilities; and CONNECT our communities with a smarter transportation system.

To learn more about the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition go to their website - http://njbwc.org/

Rt 18 claims life of Rutgers student crossing on bike

MyCentralJersey.com and several other news organizations are reporting the death of a 21 female Rutgers Student 11:10 a.m Thursday morning who was crossing the local lanes of the highway with her bicycle at Georges Rd near the Cook and Douglas Campuses. This is the second fatality of a person crossing the northbound local lanes of Rt. 18 in New Brunswick. The previous fatal crash was in October of 2009 when 15yo George Coleman was struck and killed just north of the George St intersection at Commercial Avenue.


View Bicyclist fatality Rt 18 and George St. 12/9/10 in a larger map

We at WalkBikeJersey send our condolences to the unnamed victims family.

AAA National wants Feds to end bike/ped transport funding

The following message comes to WalkBikeJersey via the National Center for Biking and Walking's Centerlines biweekly newsletter. It is comes to us originally from the Florida Bicycle Associations blog. I must confess to publishing it here without their permission (permission was granted) but I am sure that they will agree with me that spreading the word on this issue is what is important here. I thank the FBA and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy for bringing this issue to the national spotlight with this video.



And now for the message from the Florida Bicycle Association:

AAA wants trail and bicycle/pedestrian funding cut from transportation funding. Please sign RTC’s petition today!

Our friends at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy are fighting the good fight for trails and bicycle/pedestrian programs, and they need your help! AAA is advocating for the elimination of the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program from the transportation trust fund. Trails and bike/ped get less than 2 cents of every dollar in the fund, but AAA wants that money to go to highways and roads, turning back the clock on 20 years of progress toward a balanced transportation system.

It started with AAA Mid-Atlantic in Delaware. Since then AAA National (Heathrow, FL) has indicated they support Mid-Atlantic’s position. Incidentally, other AAA locations have trails. Take a peek at this video taken last week of AAA Mid-Atlantic headquarters that shows the trail just steps from the AAA building. Go figure! Our friends at YouTube support trails too.

RTC has launched a petition to ask AAA to reconsider their position. More than 30,000 people have signed so far, and supporters-and AAA members-are flooding their regional AAA chapters asking one simple question: Will AAA support critical, established walking and bicycling programs-and the funding source that allows them to thrive-now and into the future?

So far, AAA has yet to provide a satisfactory answer.

With AAA National headquarters right here in Florida (and with the TE-funded Seminole-Wekiva Trail in their front yard), let’s add as many Florida voices as possible to the petition. Let AAA know that we value safe, accessible places to walk and bike, and that modern transportation is about more than just highways!

"Freehold bike study - NEED HELP"

The below message is from Freehold Councilman John F. Newman. Somehow it ended up in my spam folder so wasn't included in my original notice about the unveiling of the Freehold Borough bike study. If you read on you will get some insights into what the Freehold study has to offer. I've never meet Councilman Newman but it sounds like he's putting his neck out to support cycling so I suggest that we cover his back on this and show up to this meeting.

Subject: Freehold bike study - NEED HELP

Hi,

About one year ago, I was elected as a councilman in Freehold Borough. One issue that immediately reared its head was an ordinance that was passed (before I was sworn in) which required bikes to be parked at bike racks in town, despite a dearth of bike racks.

I railed against this issue, and soon thereafter secured a NJ DOT grant to have a bike-ped study of the town. That study is about to be unveiled to the public for their review and comment, but I am learning of some opposition to the study, namely how it could affect the downtown.

I am reaching out to bicycle advocates so that they can assist me in garnering support to ATTEND the meeting and bring their views of the benefits of a bike-friendly community. Being in Freehold Borough, some items in the DOT study were to link the Henry Hudson trail to the downtown, link the rest of the 1.9 square mile borough to the downtown, and linking the borough to points outside its boundaries, such as the Monmouth Battlefield and other nearby parks. Also, within town is proposed a bike path/trail. This will map out places of historic interest and a tour of Springsteen's Freehold. Of course, the study also takes into account safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

As noted, there is some resistance. I would appreciate it if you you and your friends could help me by attending the December 20, 2010 meeting. The public portion starts at Freehold Borough Hall at 4:00 until 6:30; then the council meeting starts at 7:00 where a presentation will be made directly to the mayor and council.

Your support and input will be greatly appreciated as well as your comments on the beneficial aspects bike-friendly communities - the concept still has to be sold.

Thank you for your support,

John F. Newman

View Larger Map of the location of Freehold Borough Hall

Freehold to reveal results of NJDOT funded bike/ped study

Around this time last year my colleague here at WalkBikeJersey, John Boyle of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia was rightly incensed about a highly restrictive bicycle parking policy in Freehold Borough and posted a stinging criticism of that policy here on our blog. Well it was my understanding that either from the reading about it here on WalkBikeJersey or by some means of direct communication John got a conversation started about bicycle issues with the borough council.

Now comes word (via a friend who is a member of the Central Jersey Bike Club) that Freehold Borough is about to release a bicycle and pedestrian plan funded by a grant from NJDOT. It shouldn't be forgotten that Freehold is home to the most amazing Metz Bicycle Museum, a true gem of cycling history that literally has international importance.

Below you will find the announcement from Freehold Borough Councilman John Newman about the unveiling of the plan at an upcoming council meeting. WalkBikeJersey will be there to give you a report on the results. I hope the report is as good as some of the others WalkBikeJersey has reviewed lately (1,2) and that bicyclists come out and show support for the project.

The announcement reads:

Hi, my name is John Newman, Councilman in Freehold Borough.

Freehold will be unveiling a study from the NJ DOT on bike and pedestrian safety, etc.; part of the study is making the borough bike friendly and linking the borough to its downtown and to outside the borough, including linking the Henry Hudson Trail to the downtown.

However, the mayor and the rest of council need to be shown that their is support for a bike-friendly Freehold Borough, and that there are benefits for the residents and the businesses. Believe it or not, there is some resistance to a bike-friendly town.

I would very much appreciate it if you could inform your members of the meeting where this plan will be unveiled and ask them to attend and show their support as well as provide comments for improvements.

The meeting is at Freehold Borough Hall, West Main Street, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 20 for comments, and a presentation will be made to the mayor and council at the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Please lend your hand to making Freehold Borough bike-friendly for all.

Thanks,

John F. Newman, Freehold Borough

NJDEP receiving trail grant applications till Dec 15th

The NJDEP is seeking applicants for it's second round of federally funded trail grants. You can get more information about the grants directly from the NJDEP Trails Program website here.

I would have posted this much earlier but the link to the NJDEP Trails Program website didn't work when I first tried to post this a few weeks ago.

Below is a verbatim copy of the DEP November 3rd news release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2010


Contact: Lawrence Ragonese (609) 292-2994
Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795

FEDERAL GRANTS AWARDED FOR 48 NEW JERSEY TRAILS PROJECTS:
DEP NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2011 TRAILS FUNDING

(10/P120) TRENTON - More than $800,000 in federal recreational trails grants have been allocated to 48 projects in New Jersey this year, and another $1 million may soon be available for 2011 projects, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

Applications for the next round of federal grants are now being accepted by the DEP for consideration for funding in 2011 to develop, maintain and improve trails throughout New Jersey. The federal funds, which are administered by the DEP’s Office of Natural Lands Management, can be used to improve access to open space, enhance environmental resources, create urban and suburban corridors and provide additional hiking, biking and horseback riding opportunities.

The deadline to apply to the DEP is Dec. 15. Federal, state, county and local government agencies, and nonprofit groups are eligible for the federal funds.

“Preserving and enhancing our natural resources and open spaces, and providing affordable recreational opportunities for our residents are priorities of the DEP,’’ said Commissioner Bob Martin. “The quality of life in many New Jersey cities and towns is enhanced by the broad network of trails, which connects the fabric of our communities.’’

Trails can provide appreciation and accessibility of open space in rural, urban and suburban areas, as well as enjoyment by persons of all abilities, ages and means who are seeking physical activity and improved fitness as part of a healthy and active lifestyle, said the Commissioner.

In 2011, the DEP expects to award about $1 million in competitive grants for groups that maintain, develop and operate trails. Recipients are required to provide a 20 percent matching share for each project. The funding is contingent upon congressional authorization or an extension of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Bill.

"These funds are vital to the development and maintenance of a statewide network of trails in New Jersey," said DEP Assistant Commissioner of Natural and Historic Resources Amy Cradic. “The matching grants will provide for greater access to the state's many open spaces while providing alternative transportation corridors, health and fitness opportunities and enhancing the state's vast natural and historic resources.’’

This year, 48 trail projects have received $833,109 in funding from the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program. Included are a wide variety of trails projects statewide.

For example, a $25,000 grant was awarded to the nonprofit Student Conservation Association (SCA) to work with the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs on trail maintenance and improvements in various Essex County parks and reservations.

SCA also received $25,000 to work with the Hunterdon County Department of Parks and Recreation to repair and improve trails at Musconetcong Gorge Preserve.

Wawayanda State Park partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Sussex County and Vernon Township to receive $25,000 to develop a parking area to allow access to the popular Appalachian Trail ADA accessible boardwalk over the Pochuck Creek wetlands. Brick Township received $11,200 to develop trailhead facilities and trail rehabilitation on the Airport Tract and Sawmill Bicycle Paths.

In the city of Camden, Cooper's Ferry Development Association is being provided $25,000 to develop the Von Neida Park Greenway Trail that will connect to a larger Camden GreenWay System that links other trails, parks and recreational areas throughout Camden County.

The 48 grant recipients in 2010 were recommended for funding by the New Jersey Trails Council and approved by the Federal Highway Administration.

The Trails Council is comprised of representatives from hiking, mountain biking, motorized trail use, canoeing/kayaking and horseback riding interest groups, as well as several general trail advocates and state government representatives.

Those interested in additional grant information, an application form, or who want to read New Jersey’s 2009 Trails Plans Update that offers a vision, goals and strategic actions to guide the state’s trails efforts, should visit www.trails.nj.gov

Following is a list of approved 2010 recreational trail projects, totaling $833,109:

* Atlantic County
Egg Harbor Township PAL, Equestrian Trails and Park: $25,000
* Bergen County
Edgewater Borough, Veterans Field Multi-Use Pathway: $25,000
* Camden County
Camden County Parks Department, Farnham/Cooper River Bikeway: $25,000
Camden Greenways, Inc., New Camden Park Waterfront Trail: $25,000
Camden Greenways, Inc., Stewardship and Volunteer Trail Workshops: $15,000
Cherry Hill Township, Cherry Hill Trails Program: $25,000
Cooper’s Ferry Development Association, Von Neida Park Greenway Trail: $25,000
Gibbsboro Borough, Blueberry Hill to Pole Hill Connector Trail: $25,000
* Essex County
Hilltop Conservancy, Inc., Interpretive Signage: $4,362
Student Conservation Association, Inc., Essex County Trails Crew: $25,000
* Gloucester County
Gloucester County 4-H Association, Monroe Township Nature Preserve: $25,000
* Hudson County
Guttenberg Town, Hudson River Waterfront Walkway: $25,000
* Hunterdon County
Lebanon Township, Trail Improvements: $22,050
Student Conservation Association, Inc., Hunterdon County Trails Crew: $25,000
Voorhees State Park, Trail Maintenance: $8,000
* Mercer County
Lawrence Township, Drexel Woods Trail Improvements: $25,000
Trenton City, Mill Hill Park Accessible Path: $25,000
Washington Crossing State Park, Visitor Center to Nature Center Connector Trail: $23,175
* Middlesex County
Cheesequake State Park, Interactive Kiosks: $4,079
Kingston Greenways Association, Cook Natural Area Trail Improvements: $8,940
Sayreville Borough, Nature Trails: $25,000
* Monmouth County
Allaire State Park, Trailhead Improvements: $1,600
Manasquan Borough, Capital to the Coast Trail Signage: $1,516
Millstone Trailblazers, Inc., Mine Hills Trail Project: $25,000
* Morris County
Mendham Township, Trail Expansion/Maintenance Project: $22,250
Mount Olive Township, Turkey Brook Park Trails: $6,750
Pequannock Township, Mountainside Park Trails: $8,023
* Ocean County
Brick Township, Trailhead Facilities and Trail Rehabilitation: $11,200
New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Pancoast Road Trail: $25,000
New Jersey Natural Lands Trust, Crossley Preserve Trail Restoration: $3,750
* Salem County
Parvin State Park, Parvin Long Trail Improvements: $11,300
* Somerset County
Franklin Township, Middlebush Park Pathway: $25,000
* Sussex County
Heritage and Agriculture Association, Inc., Lusscroft Farm Equine and Hiking Trails: $21,500
Wawayanda State Park, Appalachian Trail Access/Parking: $25,000
* Warren County
Stephens State Park, Musconetcong River Kayaking Trail: $8,500
* Multiple Counties
Belleplain State Forest, (Cape May and Cumberland), Trail System Improvements: $3,093
Bull’s Island Recreation Area, (Hunterdon and Mercer), Maintenance Equipment: $17,600
Bull’s Island Recreation Area, (Hunterdon and Mercer), Maintenance Trailer: $5,000
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park (Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset), Trails
Maintenance: $24,245
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park (Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset), Trails
Maintenance Equipment: $2,800
East Coast Greenway Alliance (Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Union), Guide to Bicycling and Walking 2011: $15,000
Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association (Atlantic, Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Passaic, Sussex and Warren), Park Infrastructure Improvements: $24,998
Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association (Atlantic, Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Passaic, Sussex and Warren), Trail Tools, Supplies and Training: $24,990
New Jersey Conservation Foundation (Statewide, all counties), New Jersey Trails Inventory: $23,500
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren), Managing Invasive Plant Species Along Trails: $7,416
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (Passaic, Sussex and Warren), Trail Conditions Inventory: $24,200
State Park Service - Central Region, (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris and Somerset) Trail Maintenance Equipment: $12,000
State Park Service - Central Region, (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris and Somerset) Trail Utility Vehicle: $17,200