April, 2010
NJ Future offers Great Stats on Getting Around on Two Wheels … or Two Feet
NJ Future, April 22, 2010
- The estimated number of bicycle commuters in New Jersey is approximately 12,000, or 0.3 percent, according to the 2005-2007 American Community Survey. An estimated 3.4 percent of New Jerseyans walk to work.
- New Jersey ranks third to last in per-capita spending of federal transportation dollars on bicycle and pedestrian projects, according to the T4America campaign.
- Transportation represents the largest, and fastest-growing, segment of New Jersey’s carbon footprint at 35 percent, compared to a national average of 26 percent.
- Air pollution and carbon emissions from riding a bicycle or walking = zero.
As New Jersey strives to reduce emissions from the transportation sector in order to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals, turning these short auto trips into a walk or a bike ride would be a good place to start.
National Bike Month is coming up in May and many regions, companies and communities will participate in Bike to Work Week events. But why wait another month? Start biking today; reduce your carbon footprint, improve your health and save money by continuing to do so in the future.
And for those trips that must be taken by car, please watch for cyclists. Contrary to conventional wisdom, bicyclists have the right to share the road and in New Jersey, you are legally obligated to give them 3 feet of space. Ride safely!
Read the full article on the NJ Future Blog.
Trail Ambassadors Needed: Bike&Walk Montclair Encourages Volunteer Participation
Spring 2010
Montclair and Essex County are home to one of the most unique and under appreciated public recreational assets in the Northeast: the Lenape Trail. Have you ever noticed those small (2”x4”) yellow rectangles emblazoned on trees and telephone poles along the paths in Brookdale Park and along a number of streets in Upper Montclair? They mark this ‘hidden gem’ of a trail, which stretches for over thirty miles from the southern entrance of Branch Brook Park in Newark to its junction with the Patriots Path at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland. Along the way, the Lenape Trail winds through sixteen of Essex County’s most beautiful parks and reservations, tying together points of natural and historic interest.
The Lenape Trail is part of a seven-member trail system which together form the Liberty Water Gap Trail (LWGT). The LWGT, now 90% complete, stretches for 130 miles across the entire state of New Jersey, from the shore of the Hudson River in Liberty State Park, to the Delaware Water Gap.
This summer, with the support of the New York New Jersey Trail Conference and the Essex County Parks Department, a project is being kicked off to revitalize and raise public awareness of the Lenape Trail and Liberty Water Gap Trail.
Bike&Walk Montclair will be helping with this project, and participating in an informal ‘Friends of the Lenape Trail’ organization to help maintain, advocate, and promote these trails. Some of the short-term efforts beginning this spring are:
- participation in trail blaze/signage planning and field work
- ongoing support as an ‘Adopt-a-Trail’ volunteer for a section of the Lenape Trail
- organizing future trail promotions (e.g. walkathons, hikes, etc)
- improving content and map features on the Website help (if you know ‘Joomla!’ Steve would REALLY like to speak with you!)
If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Trail Ambassador, please contact Steve Marano, Acting Director of the Liberty Water Gap Trail Coordinating Committee. You can learn more about the trails, and take advantage of its Google Maps-enabled interactive map at www.libertywatergap.org.
For more information, contact:
Steve Marano
NYNJTC Revitalization Project Manager
Acting Director the Liberty Water Gap Trail Coordinating Committee
steve@libertygap.org
201-392-6921
Event Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and Bike&Walk Montclair challenges you to go CAR FREE FOR A DAY.
Motor vehicle emissions from short car trips (distances easily walked to cycled) are much more polluting than longer trips on a per-mile basis because 60% of polluting emissions is released during the first few minutes of vehicle operation.
On Thursday, April 22, 2010, make a commitment to reduce your carbon footprint by walking, biking and taking public transportation.
Can you do it?
Post your experience on the Bike&Walk Montclair Yahoo Group! All comments will be summarized as examples of Montclair’s walkability and bicycle-friendliness – or as evidence of where improvements are needed.
