The long distance walking group called the FreeWalkers has declared its next challenge – hiking the entire 34 miles of the Lenape Trail from Millburn to Newark on Monday, October 11, the official Columbus Day holiday this year. This natural-to-urban walk goes through three reservations, several county parks, and nearly a dozen towns. The walk supports both the Essex County trail revitalization effort, as well as the project to complete the Liberty Water Gap Trail (LGWT) – a 130-mile public accessible trail across the entire state. The Columbus Day walk was themed “The Origins Walk” because it commemorates our true origins – both the discovery of our land and the original natives who inhabited it for centuries before.

The Lenape Trail was established over 30 years ago by Al Kent, a now-retired trail coordinator who wanted the public to experience as many natural resources and points of interest in Essex County as he could by connecting them through a trail that traverses towns, parks, woodlands, residential areas and cities along the way. Steve Marano, the revitalization Project Director, has led recent efforts to improve both the Lenape and the LGWT, working closely with Essex County Parks and the NY-NJ Trail Conference. Marano sees a unique opportunity to promote existing recreational resources, while helping Al Kent achieve his goal. “For both projects, we have existing land and trail resources,” noted Marano. “All we need is a concerted effort to manage what we have and make the public more aware of these unique resources.”

Paul Kiczek, of Morristown, NJ, recently formed the FreeWalkers based on the success of “The Big Walk NJ2NY50” which was a one-day 50-mile walk from Iselin to New York City last May 23rd in support of the East Coast Greenway (ECG) trail. “We had over 70 participants walking that day and helped raise funds for the ECG. While not all walkers completed the full 50 miles, the feedback we got was that it was a tremendously rewarding experience for everyone on

a personal level.”, said Kiczek.

The FreeWalkers promote long distance walks that are open to the general public. While the walks are usually of a challenging distance, there are always opportunities to walk shorter segments. All walkers are encouraged to walk with the group, regardless of the number of miles they choose to walk. Events are free, and participants are encouraged to learn more at the event’s website http://lenape34.org or by signing up for the event online at http://freewalkers.org.

Contact: Paul Kiczek, FreeWalkers Project Leader

Cell Phone: 973-214-1811 Aug. 22, 2010

Email: paul@LENAPE34.org

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The Origins Walk – LENAPE34 is an independently organized distance walking event which is supported by the Liberty Water Gap Trail (http://libertygap.org). For more info on LWGT, contact Steve Marano, Lenape Trail Revitalization Project Director, 973-768-1095, steve@libertygap.org.

This coming Sunday, August 15, from 1pm-4pm at the Montclair High School Faculty parking lot on N.Fullerton, we will be hosting our first Ride Rodeo Round-up. This is the follow-up to the initial Learn to Ride class. If you, your child, or anyone you know can successfully pedal their bike in a parking lot, this class is for you. We will show you how to do safe starts and stops, maneuver around obstacles, signal and scan over your shoulder to see if cars are present before changing lanes. While this is the first of these classes, it will become part of our regularly scheduled rotation of classes offered in the Fall. I hope to see you there. If you would like to register online, you may go to http://bikewalkmontclair.eventbrite.com

If you have questions or concerns please call me at (973)280-9686. Remember, this class assumes you, the potential student, can already pedal your bike. All riders must have their own bike, and a properly fitted helmet. All riders (or the parents of minors) must sign a waiver/release before being allowed to participate.
Cheerios,
Dickson

Contact:
Dickson Lane, LCI
Bike&Walk Montclair Trustee
973 280 9686
dickson@xpresslane.biz

After a first successful LEARN TO RIDE class that was held on Saturday, July 24, Bike&Walk Montclair, Diamond Cycle, and the Montclair YMCA are partnering  once again and will hold two more LEARN TO RIDE classes on July 31, 2010 and August 7, 2010.

The workshop teaches a safe, easy, effective way to learn to ride.  Using the “balance first” method, instructors help get you rolling on your own.

Is your child at that age where he or she wants to ride a two-wheeler? Is your back sore from bending over to balance your child on a rolling bicycle? Have YOU been wanting to ride but never had a chance to learn?  If so, this class is for you.

Participants learn the basics of balancing, starting, stopping, and steering a bike, as well as proper helmet fit and adjustment. Most people learn to ride their bike while taking the class, but even if they don’t, they will leave with an easy, hands-free, crash-free, and low-stress way to learn to ride.

When: Saturday, July 31, 2010

Saturday, August 7, 2010

What: Learn to Ride (Kids) – 10:00am – 1:00pm

Learn to Ride (Adults) – 2:00 – 5:00 pm

Where: Meet at Diamond Cycle Parking Lot off Glen Ridge Ave. for sign-in and bike/helmet fitting.  (Class will be held in a nearby lot.)

Bring:  Bike, Helmet, Water, Smile!  Refreshments will be available.

Registration:

Register through EventBrite

http://www.eventbrite.com/search?q=bike+walk+montclair&loc=&page=1

Cost is $25 (check or cash in person. PayPal can process credit cards online). Please make checks payable to Bike&WalkMontclair (a 501-C3 non-profit organization)

For more information, contact Dickson Lane (973) 280-9686 or dickson (at) expresslane (dot) biz

Requirements:

All cyclists must wear a helmet and have a bicycle that fits. If you need a bike, come early and Diamond Cycle will help you choose one.  Bikes are available for rent or sale. Diamond Cycle will insure that your bike is ready to ride with rock hard tires. The program works best for children ages 5 and up.

On July 19th, West Windsor Township became the second municipality in New Jersey, after Montclair, to adopt a Complete Streets Policy.  See the announcement from the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance here: http://wwbpa.org/2010/07/west-windsor-believes-in-complete-streets/.
 
In addition, Monmouth County became the first county in the state to adopt a Complete Streets Policy as the Board of Chosen Freeholders passed Resolution 10-592 at their meeting on July 22nd. 

Congratulations and a big thank you from all of us at the NJDOT Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs to all of you who worked so hard to make this happen!  ~Elise Bremer-Nei, NJ SRTS Program Coordinator

All cyclists must wear a helmet and have a bicycle that fits. If you need a bike, come early and Diamond Cycle will help you choose one.  Bikes are available for rent or sale. Diamond Cycle will insure that your bike is ready to ride with rock hard tires. The program works best for children ages 5 and up. **Additional Learn to Ride classes are scheduled for Saturday, July 31 and Saturday, August 7

Another Cyclist Killed on New Jersey’s Roads

Just last week, NJBC sent a letter to the editor of the Bergen Record, asking “Where is Camille’s Law?”, noting that while New York State is moving well along the path of creating a three-foot safe passing law, called “Merrill’s Law”, New Jersey’s version of the same legislation is stuck in committee. A copy of the letter is reprinted below.

Now, it has happened again! Another cyclist has been killed, this time in Gloucester County. Robert Schwinn, of Vineland, was struck down on a wide shoulder of Route 555 on July 1 at 7:23 AM, in the vicinity of Weymouth Road. Mr. Schwinn was wearing a helmet at reflective vest at time he was overtaken from behind, struck, and killed, according to authorities.

We cannot wait any longer! Cyclists, pedestrians, unprotected users of our roads are being struck by distracted, negligent or worse vehicle drivers, with no real consequences to those drivers. Yet the consequences – the deaths and horrific injuries – to those struck are real enough. It is ironic that these most recent cycling deaths are being noted in blogs and publications as far afield as Los Angeles but are not making as much news right here in New Jersey. And are not even on the radar of our legislature.

NJBC is not waiting any longer! And we need your help as we begin a campaign to get New Jersey’s 3 Foot Safe Passing Law out of committee, passed by both houses and signed by Governor Christie. Not someday, but in the next legislative session.

For more info on the 3 foot passing legislation and how to get involved, please visit NJ Bicycle Coalition or attend this week’s Bike&Walk Montclair meeting and meet NJBC President, Jim Nicholson.

Montclair is a Transit Village, thanks to its efforts to create walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods near a public transportation center, which in the process also helps ease road congestion, according to NJ’s Department of Transportation.

The designation allows the town to apply for a $100,000 grant that supports Transit Village planning efforts.

Read the Baristanet article here.

Read the Montclair Times article here.

Temperatures reached nearly 100 degrees (F) on the day of the parade.  Thank goodness for the pedicab soaker and generous neighbors with hoses!  About 20 participants “marched” with Bike&Walk Montclair in Montclair’s July 4 Parade (on July 5!).  “When I say ‘Bike Lane’, you say, ‘Now!’”  Check out the photos here.

Some stories: