They’re Back! To School, That Is.
New Jersey has more Safe Routes to School resources than students have books in their backpacks! With its long history and dedicated support to Safe Routes to School, this is a great time to talk about these resources and how they can make your community a model for Safe Routes to School and the trip to school safe, healthy and fun for everyone.
New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center has helped more than 100 communities to get active, get healthy, and get back to school. With Safe Routes to School Regional Coordinators from eight Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) throughout New Jersey ready to help, kicking off Safe Routes to School programs in your town is within reach.
Whether you’re just getting started or are a veteran walk and bike champion, the New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center has valuable tools and resources to help grow and enhance your program.
Does your organization support walking and bicycling to school? Become a friend! Does your community already have bikes and feet on every street? Get recognized! Learn about New Jersey Safe Routes to School Recognition Program for communities who are getting started, building momentum and achieving sustainability!
The Safe Routes Partnership applauds state programs like New Jersey’s and provides an additional national network of resources to augment statewide programs like this, including monthly webinars and a national learning network.
Save the Date for iWalk
Don’t forget to save the date – Wednesday, October 3, 2012 is International Walk to School Day (iWalk) where students across New Jersey, the US and the world will choose to pedal or walk to school for many reasons including to promote physical activity, pedestrian and bicycle safety or concern for the environment. Consider promoting Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on the same day. It’s another opportunity to thank the crossing guards for keeping kids safe on their way to school. Simple gestures like a card, cup of coffee, drawing or a hug will do! And don’t forget to register your events on the iWalk website.
Lights! Camera! Communities in Action!
New Jersey’s Regional Safe Routes to School Coordinators are working with communities across the state and some are far from camera shy! Check out these video showcases provided by TransOptions and Ridewise TMAs of two New Jersey communities whose recipe for walking and bicycling to school includes a dollop of safety, a pinch of humor and dash of fun.
TransOptions TMA filmed kids at Chatham, NJ’s Milton Avenue School in a “flash mob” Ped Safety Dance. The pedestrian safety-themed dance was modeled after a routine demonstrated on the International Walk to School Day website and taught to the students by parent and professional dancer, Kelly Loofbourrow.
Ridewise TMA - produced this video to highlight its district-wide Safe Routes to School Program in North Plainfield, NJ. Just three square miles makes North Plainfield school district a perfect community to succeed in establishing safe walking routes town-wide. Watch one class win their school’s “Golden Shoe Award!”
For more information, or to join the New Jersey network, please contact me.
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