May, 2010
Looking for something to do? Check out Bike&
Walk Montclair’s EVENTS page for great ideas for local (and regional) events. Try walking or biking to them!
Tomorrow: Montclair’s Memorial Day Service at Edgemont Park
Next Weekend: Relay for Life, Montclair African American Heritage Parade & Festival, Montclair Eco Fair, Montclair RUN, and more!
“Last Friday Rides” – Don’t forget that on the Last Friday of every month, a word of mouth, community led, “Critical Manners” or “Courteous Mass” bike ride takes place around the streets of Montclair. This ride is slow paced and family-friendly. Meet at 6:30 at Bellevue Station. Ride leaves at 7:00 sharp! Bring lights and good spirits!!! Looking for theme ideas. Potential theme for June: I Scream for Ice Cream?
From New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian News Digest for Monday, May 24th 2010
Press Release: New Jersey recognized as a Bicycle Friendly State by LAB:
Ranked as the 8th ‘friendliest’ state for bicyclists in the nation
NJDOT • Friday, May 21, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/292xd77
&
N.J. ranks 8th nationally for bike-friendly states, report says
The Star-Ledger • Friday, May 21, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/35ltnrs
&
New Jersey is one of the country’s friendliest states for bicyclists,
according to study
The Press of Atlantic City • Monday, May 24, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/39qqtwb
May is National Bike Month. This week, cyclists who don’t regularly commute by bike, are ditching their cars to participate in Bike to Work
Week. The League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week 2010 from May 17-21 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 21. Montclair Township showed it’s support by declaring “May is Bike Month in Montclair” in a proclamation at their May 4 council meeting.
Bike&Walk Montclair is promoting Bike to Work Day and encourages everyone to give it a try. Be sure to stop by our table at the Walnut Street Station between 7am and 9am on Friday morning for free goodies to bicyclists on their way to work!
Then top off your day with A Little Night Art – Montclair Gallery Walk Ride. Cyclists should meet in front of the Montclair Main Public Library (50 South Fullerton Ave.) at 6 p.m. to ride as a group on this delightful 13 gallery tour!
And this weekend there are many more great EVENTS! On Saturday, May 22, bike to Pat Kenschaft’s Organic Garden and the Rand Eco Fair.
Then on Sunday, May 23, park your bike and join in the Big NJ2NY50 East Coast Greenway Walk.
See you out there!
Fab Family Fun at Tour de Montclair, Which Lured 1,200
Baristanet
Monday, May 17, 2010
People and bikes, in a myriad of shapes and forms, showed up in force for the 8th annual Tour de Montclair and YMCA Healthy Kids Day at Brookdale Park on Sunday.
The Tour, co-organized with Montclair YMCA, is nonprofit group Bike&Walk Montclair‘s signature fundraiser held in May each year.
On Sunday, it lured about 1,200 entrants, 20% more than last year.
Read more here.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
BY LINA KHOURI
The Montclair Times
Gear up your bicycle, tricycle or … unicycle?
The eighth annual Tour de Montclair is coming this Sunday, May 16, at 9 a.m. The communitywide bicycle fest is the signature event of nonprofit advocacy group Bike & Walk Montclair.
Laura Torchio, executive director of Bike & Walk Montclair, calls the Tour de Montclair “an opportunity for people who aren’t in the bike community world to dust their bikes off, get their sneakers on and rediscover the joys of bicycling.”
Continue reading full article here.
P l a n e t M o n t c l a i r
“Human Wheels”
The Montclair Times: Thursday, May 13, 2010
Gray Russell, Environmental Coordinator
Township of Montclair
In our recent intermittent series on recycling we discussed “win-win” solutions. These are problem-solving ideas with multiple benefits, as exemplified by recycling itself.
For example, recycling earns our town money from sales, saves more money on waste disposal costs, reduces the use of valuable resources, prevents air and water pollution, and conserves energy, all at once.
We’re always looking for more and better “win-win” solutions to local problems.
Living in the U.S.A.
To keep up-to-date on the best practices of other municipalities, I often research what trends, policies, and programs take place in towns around the state, across the country, and elsewhere. Benchmarking is a great way to compare Montclair with other localities, for using some of the best examples to improve our town.
One attribute shared almost universally by successful communities is bicycle- and pedestrian-friendliness. Where you find an attractive place to live you invariably find enlightened bike/ped programs and an active public.
Where are examples of successful towns? This reporter referred to U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of “Best Places to Live 2009”, a list that looks at areas with strong economies, low living costs, and plenty of fun things to do. Most of their choices listed biking, walking and/or hiking access as key quality-of-life elements.
The List
Albuquerque was U.S. News’ #1 choice. The description of why that city won enthused that “their foothills and network of trails make the area a wonderful destination for biking.”
The #2 choice, Auburn, Alabama, recommended their “nice hiking trail” and “a stroll through the campus arboretum.”
In Durham, N.C. (#5) visitors should “consider hiking one of the many distinct trails and greenways.” And in Upper St. Clair, PA (#10), “popular outdoor activities include hiking, cycling…”
In fact, bicycling and walking amenities were the most often-cited characteristic of the best places to live.
For comparison, I checked another list: Money Magazine’s “Best Towns to Live In 2009”. Certainly they would have a different perspective.
The page featuring their #1 choice, Louisville, Colorado, actually featured a photo of a cyclist pedaling around town, as did the accompanying video. One of the attractions in town #3, Pappillon, NE, was that “parents feel free to let kids ride bikes unsupervised.” Middleton, WI (#4) “…maintains 1,000 acres of parks, bike paths, and running trails.”
Again, these traits contribute to what has made these towns attractive and livable. They also preserve their property values and make the communities more economically viable. After all, this list is from Money Magazine, not “Outdoors”.
You Win Again
Biking and walking initiatives are obvious examples of “win-win” benefits. And consider the rest of the list.
Asthma is not a little problem for kids; it’s an epidemic. Getting cars off of the roads (and not idling during drop-off and pick up at school) has proven benefits for those least able to withstand the terrible effects of air pollution.
Obesity is no small problem for children, either; it, too, is an epidemic. Getting kids and parents to choose the safest routes to schools and getting our kids walking and bicycling with their friends is prescribed by every health agency in America.
Plus, bike and pedestrian improvements incorporate traffic calming techniques that make our roads safer and saner for all of us.
But these multiple benefits don’t just happen; people have to make them happen.
Better Make It Better
That’s why I salute the dedicated and hard-working members of Bike&Walk Montclair, who for several years have advocated for bike and pedestrian improvements, policies, programs and culture in town.
With support from Township offices they have also succeeded in bringing in three-quarters of a million dollars from federal and state grants that will help get kids to their schools, shoppers to our business districts, and commuters to train and bus stations without everyone being driven in, or driving, their own car.
I know that no matter what change is proposed to improve some aspect of community life, someone will always complain and try to shoot it down. But ironically, some complaints I hear imply that spandex-suited cyclists are taking over the roads.
Nothing could be further from the truth. B&WM have the same vision of a smart, safe, healthy and sustainable community as the towns listed as Best Places to Live. They are improving our town in many ways, making it a better place in which to live.
I Want to Ride My Bicycle
And this weekend, everyone can participate.
Bike&Walk Montclair’s eighth annual Tour de Montclair and the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will be co-hosted this Sunday, May 16, starting and ending at Brookdale Park. Registration is at 9:00 AM and the rides start at 10:00 AM.
For further information, go to www.bikewalkmontclair.org, or email TourdeMontclair@bikewalkmontclair.org.
This non-competitive scenic bicycle tour has become one of the most popular community events in Montclair, with over 1,000 people attending last year. It’s fun for families, good for you, and great for our town. I hope to see you there.
Thanks to the NJ Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center for compiling this list of great Bike Month events!
New Jersey Bike Month Events
May’s 1st Friday Ride… ‘Public Art’
Brick City Bike Collective • Friday, May 7, 2010 – 7pm
http://tinyurl.com/24nkrjh
1st Annual Tweed Ride (New Jersey’s first?)
South Orange / Maplewood Bicycle Coalition • Saturday, May 15, 2010 – 10am
http://tinyurl.com/2fhftv3
Sixth Annual Family Hilltop Bike Ride or Hike
Hilltop Conservancy • Saturday, May 15, 2010 – 11am
http://tinyurl.com/2camzc4
Tour de Montclair
Bike&Walk Montclair • Saturday, May 15, 2010 – 11am
http://tinyurl.com/2bchkfj
South Orange / Maplewood Bike Week Events (May 16 – 21)
South Orange / Maplewood Bicycle Coalition
http://tinyurl.com/2b688ve
Ride of Silence (three official NJ locations)
Ride of Silence • Monday, May 17, 2010 – 7:00pm
http://tinyurl.com/rc54uq
West Windsor: http://tinyurl.com/27pk83f
7th Annual Tour de Elizabeth
Groundwork Elizabeth • Sunday, May 23, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/2f6b59x
The Jersey City Ward Tour
Bike JC • Sunday, May 23, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/24qsmp5
14th Annual Trenton Bike Tour
Trenton Cycling Revolution • Saturday, May 29, 2010 – 8:30am
http://tinyurl.com/3ybm5jj
Seventh Annual West Windsor BikeFest
WWBPA • Saturday, May 29, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/295n28f
The Lantus Tour of Somerville Cycling Series
(NJ’s premier and America’s oldest bicycle race)
Somerville area • Friday, May 28, 2010 through Monday, May 31, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/2w9oxa3
May 2010 Biking Event Calendar (more events)
NJ Off-Road Biking
http://tinyurl.com/38elekw
TOWNSHIP OF MONTCLAIR DECLARING MAY “BIKE MONTH IN MONTCLAIR”
May 4, 2010
WHEREAS, for more than a century, the bicycle has been an important part of the lives
of many Americans, and today residents of all ages throughout New Jersey engage in bicycling
because it is a viable and environmentally sound form of transportation, an excellent form of
fitness and provides quality family recreation; and
WHEREAS, the Township of Montclair was the first municipality in New Jersey to
adopt a “Complete Streets” policy for the design and operation of its roadways to enable safe
access for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists and all users; and
WHEREAS, the Township of Montclair was one of the first 34 New Jersey
municipalities awarded Sustainable Jersey Community certification for its efforts to be more
environmentally-friendly; and
WHEREAS, riding a bicycle is a feasible alternative to driving a car especially for short
trips which are the most polluting (i.e. to work, transit stations, schools, or shopping); and
WHEREAS, the education of cyclists and motorists as to the proper and safe operation
of bicycles is important to ensure the safety and comfort of all users of Township streets; and
WHEREAS, the League of American Bicyclists, a national non-profit bicycling safety
and education association, has declared the month of May to be National Bike Month for each of
the last fifty-four (54) years, and has done so again in 2010; and
WHEREAS, “Bike & Walk Montclair”, together with advocacy groups throughout the
state, are promoting greater public awareness of bicycle operation and safety education in an
effort to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities for all; and
WHEREAS, it is important to emphasize safe bicycle use, including the use of helmets,
and strict observance of traffic laws; and
WHEREAS, National Bike Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness
of the many benefits of bicycling, to promote bicycle safety, and to encourage bicycle riding
through organized activities such as Montclair’s annual Tour de Montclair, Bike-to-Work events,
club rides, family rides, and bike rodeos for children; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Township of Montclair, in the County of
Essex, that the month of May is hereby proclaimed NATIONAL BIKE MONTH in the
Township of Montclair and the Council urges all residents to recognize the importance of bicycle
safety and to be more aware of cyclists on our streets and highways.
League of American Bicyclists
May, 2010
The League of American Bicyclists announced 16 new Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC), five renewing BFCs and 19 Honorable Mentions.
Montclair is the only NJ municipality on the list and has been recognized with Honorable Mention. Learn more about LABs BFC program on the LAB Blog.
The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress and work toward improving their bicycle-friendliness.
