TMA of New Jersey Newsletter Series

The Transportation Management Association Council of NJ (TMAC NJ) is comprised of the Executive Directors of New Jersey's eight Transportation Management Associations (TMA). TMAs are non-profit, public/private partnership organizations that work with businesses, commuters, county, and local governments, and regional and state agencies to implement programs that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. TMA services are available in every county in NJ. This quarterly newsletter is designed to educate and inform its readers about the impactful work NJ’s TMAs are doing to improve the mobility needs of all persons in NJ. For information about the TMA serving your area, click here.
Spring and Summer Brings More Bike
and Ped Programs to Hudson
Over the past three months, the Hudson TMA has been presenting programs to encourage walking, biking and teaching best safety practices. Through the Golden Sneaker program, a golden sneaker trophy is awarded to the class in each Hudson school that takes the most steps in a weekly period. Children learn the health benefits and encourage their families to walk more often.
Our Learn to Ride program teaches children and adults how to ride a bike. We remove the training wheels and participants are often riding within 40 minutes!

The Hudson TMA’s Annual Stride & Ride is a Bike Rodeo for all ages. This June the rodeo was held in Washington Park, Union City. Participants move through a series of stations to work to improve their biking skills.

Coming Soon on June 25th

Free Adult Safe Cycling class, teaching riders in an urban environment how to improve their skills, avoid crashes, and understand the rules of the road.


Participants are welcome to
register at www.hudsontma.org
CCCTMA, PATCO, Camden County and
Collingswood Borough Partner to Roll-Out the
Collingswood Complete Streets Lab
From Saturday, April 16, 2022, through Sunday, May 8, 2022, Cross County Connection partnered with the Borough of Collingswood, Camden County, and the
Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) to present the Collingswood Complete Streets Lab. The project was specifically directed towards encouraging PATCO commuters living near the Collingswood station to replace single occupancy vehicle trips to the station with biking and walking.

A 2019 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission study found that on a single weekday, 23% of vehicles parked at the station were from residents living within a ½ mile - trips that for many can be replaced by biking and walking. The project was partially funded through a grant from DVRPC’s Transportation Option Program (TOP).
At the center of the Collingswood Complete Streets Lab was a series of Complete Streets demonstration projects near Collingswood station that
tested bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure including protected bike lanes, curb extensions, and a bicycle boulevard. A demonstration project uses low-cost materials like straw bales, temporary paint, and traffic cones to test out bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in a real-world setting before investing
in a permanent project. These were coupled with an educational campaign, utilizing signs posted around town, social media, and web ads, that issued a call to action to replace short SOV trips with active transportation as a means to improve air quality, combat climate change, and improve public health.
Overall, the project was
a success. Cross County Connection conducted bicycle and pedestrian counts during peak commute times and recorded a 10% increase in the number of commuters walking to and from the station and a 27% increase in the number of those biking. The web ads recording 822,000 impressions on commuters

traveling through the Collingswood PATCO station, with social media posts resulting in an additional 121,000. The project survey resulted in 73% of respondents claiming they would walk and bike more if infrastructure tested became permanent. Both PATCO and Collingswood Borough agreed that the protected bike lanes tested on Billson Avenue in front of the station were effective and will remain in place. The borough also plans to seek grant funding to make the bike boulevard and traffic calming elements tested permanent. Cross County Connection will be doing another Complete Streets demonstration project in Voorhees in May 2023.
“Cyclists Welcome”
Campaign Promotes Local Businesses

According to a study by the Outdoor Recreation Association (2017), bicycling participants spend $83 billion on ‘trip-related’ sales (bicycle tourism), and generate $97 billion in retail spending.

goHunterdon, as part of the non-profit’s Bike Hunterdon initiative, has developed a “Cyclists Welcome” campaign to help local businesses capture some of that spending.
“Bicyclists look for establishments like coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, and retailers where they can easily park their bicycle, grab a bite to eat and re-fuel,“ says Caryl Harris, goHunterdon Bicycle Specialist. “Our goal is to help the business community to understand amenities that attract cyclists and to identify businesses where bicyclists are particularly welcome. And, to clearly identify those businesses for bicyclists.”

Hunterdon businesses are invited to complete a short online form to document the ways in which they are welcoming to cyclists.

Respondents will receive a colorful “Cyclists Welcome” decal to
display at their business, free of charge.

RideWise Brings Pop-Up Parklet
to Somerville for Earth Day
RideWise partnered with the Downtown Somerville Alliance and
the Somerville Starbucks on Friday, April 22, and celebrated Earth Day
by setting up a pop-up parklet to demonstrate how sidewalks can serve as mini-parks for pedestrians and shoppers. 

Starbucks customers enjoyed drinks and snacks while sitting in the parklet, which was available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The evening saw the parklet filled with people enjoying the music of harpist Patricia Turse. 
 
"The project intended to show how quickly and easily a parklet can be built using only a small amount of space and inexpensive materials like traffic cones, planters, and benches," said Donna Allison, Executive Director for RideWise. 
 
Parklets are bringing about a fundamental shift in how people and communities think about public spaces. This movement aims to create mini-parks into places for art, play, and activism.
 
The RideWise parklet is available for Somerset County communities to borrow to provide shoppers, cyclists, or pedestrians with a place to stop and rest while enjoying the downtown. 
 
"It's the perfect way to test-drive the concept of a parklet before committing to building one," said Donna. Learn more at ridewise.org/parklets.
TransOptions is Now Avenues in Motion! 

Our new name is accompanied
by a new logo and branding that reflects our organization’s mission to enhance community health and wellbeing through transportation options.

Did we mention we have a
brand new website too?!

We've completely revamped our website to offer you a better, more
user-friendly experience.

Have you visited yet?
Click here.

“While the name may have changed, we’ll still be delivering the same level of high-quality programming that our partners have come to expect over the past 36 years, with plenty of new and exciting offerings to come as well,” -- Avenues in Motion President, Dan Callas.

To read the complete formal announcement, please click here!
Junior Solar Sprints - In Person for Finals!
This past Monday, May 23rd, the sun was shining and we were able to hold our Junior Solar Sprints finals race in person! We had 18 local schools participate and 40 model cars sped along the race tracks. All
the teams were vying for the top spot in not only speed but also craftsmanship, video journal, engineering and upcycled materials.
This annual solar-powered STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) competition would not have been possible without our generous sponsors: PSEG and Howmet Aerospace Foundation! We would also like to acknowledge the hardworking volunteers from Marotta Controls who helped us at the race tracks and in the judging tent. And our fix-it table wouldn't have been the same without the expert advice provided by our handy volunteers Ed, Ron and Bruce! Thanks everyone!
Congratulations to the winning teams!

Video Journal
  1. "Solar City" - Eisenhower
  2. "Jimmy Carter" - Ridge & Valley
  3. "Collie Car" - McKeown

Engineering
  1. "Blackbird" - Long Pond
  2. "Bolt" - Long Pond
  3. "Jackson Storm" - Green Hills

Upcycled Materials
  1. "Bolt" - Long Pond
  2. "Blue Water" - Green Hills
  3. "Green Narwhal" - HIllside

Craftsmanship
  1. "The Imposter" - Warren
  2. "Hogwarts Express" - Harding
  3. "Tiger Woods" - East Hanover

Speed
  1. "Candy Cart" - McKeown (seen in the first photo up top)
  2. "Bolt" - Long Pond
  3. "The Imposter" - Warren

Overall Champion: "Bolt"- Long Pond
Help Us Improve Mapping for Bicycle Parking
Our Map-It tool is now equipped to feature all the bicycle parking rack locations within our service area. But we can't manage it alone and have made it really simple (and rewarding!) for you to help us out. 
 
1.First, scan the code to bring up a link to our crowdsourcing mapping tool.


2.Then, pin the rack location, add a few notes to help us verify it and the number of potential parking spots.

3. Next, leave your email for a chance to win in our quarterly raffle drawling!

We'll update our website's Map-It page regularly for you to refer back to and access when you're out and about! We can’t wait to see all that you uncover! And, you’ll be helping us identify gaps in the network so we can advocate for more parking options in the future! 
KMM’s Mobility Matters is back on the air!
After a three-year hiatus, KMM’s podcast, Mobility Matters is back. This season’s podcast focuses on topics related to the field of transportation, sustainability, and economic development in New Jersey.

Each show focuses on issues that are instrumental to mobility not only in Middlesex County but across New Jersey. So far this season, we have been joined by an array of experts, stakeholders and municipal leaders sharing their insight and expertise on various topics. 

We’ve addressed complete streets and safe routes to school and its impact on the community mobility, NJ Safe Passing Law and its impact on bike and pedestrian safety, and community engagement and economic development's impact on Middlesex County. Listen on Spotify or Buzzsprout or visit us online at KMM.org and catch the latest episode as well as our original 2019 Radio Podcast.
 
Episode 1 – Meet the four hosts who will be featured throughout the season’s episode.

Episode 2 – Community Engagement – A Conversation with Leslie Koppel Women’s Month 

Episode 3 – Economic Development Middlesex County – Lina Llona Women’s Month

Episode 4 – NJ Safe Passing Law – Metuchen Council President Jason Delia

Episode 5 – Girls in Gear -Founder, Gabriella Rossi

Episode 6 – Complete Streets Policy – Hightstown Borough Councilman Joe Cicalese

Episode 7 – Safe Routes to School – Alan M Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers University, Sean Meehan
EZ Ride Provides Transportation for
Wheelchair Athletes to the Start Line
EZ Ride has provided transportation for participants in the Kessler Foundation’s 20th Annual Wheelchair 10K race. On May 30th, crowds of families gathered
for The Fred d’Elia Ridgewood Run –
a Memorial Day tradition. The Run is a
day of family-oriented outdoor activities sponsored and run by local foundations and businesses, centered on what has become one of the most prestigious 10K runs in the Northeast. In fact Kessler Foundation’s Wheelchair 10K has grown to one of the largest disability-inclusive 10K’s in the country.
While different races and runs continue throughout the day,
the first at 8:15 a.m. is the Wheelchair 10K race, sponsored by the Kessler Rehabilitation Institute. The event draws wheelchair racers from around the world, and coordinating transportation services for the international wheelchair athletes is challenging. Since 2011, EZ Ride has provided complimentary transportation for these athletes from airport to hotel, hotel to event,
and back again. These services benefit both the athletes and event coordinators. We are proud to support our wheelchair athletes.
Greater Mercer TMA recognizes local students in
Safe Routes to School Bookmark Design Contest
In celebration of NJ Bike and Walk to School Month, Greater Mercer TMA (GMTMA) announced the winners of its Safe Routes to School Bookmark Design Contest. Third through fifth graders in Mercer and Ocean County were asked to create a bookmark design with the theme “Walking and biking are fun to do. What do you do to keep it safe too?" GMTMA applauds all the students that participated in the contest for their creative entries.

“The students did a fantastic job illustrating some of the important behaviors that they can do to keep safe while walking and biking” said Cheryl Kastrenakes Executive Director of GMTMA. “We continue to be impressed each year with the creative and thoughtful entries that we receive.”

The Mercer County winners are Linda Aldana, 4th Grade, P.J. Hill Elementary School in Trenton and Joshua Barrett, 5th Grade, Yardville Heights Elementary School, Hamilton.
The Ocean County winners are Adriel Estrada, 5th Grade, Lakehurst Elementary School and Anthony Scalzullo, 5th Grade, Hooper Ave Elementary, Toms River. Each winner receives a $50 gift card and have their bookmarks professionally printed. The winning bookmarks are being distributed at many Mercer and Ocean County schools and libraries.

GMTMA serves as the NJ Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School coordinator for Mercer County and works with schools, communities and PTOs to encourage more students to walk and bike to school safely and to improve the areas where it is not safe. If you would like more information about the Safe Routes to School Program please visit gmtma.org.

Transportation Management Associations
This quarterly newsletter is designed to educate and inform its readers about the impactful work being done to improve the mobility needs of NJ’s residents and employers.

At the logos below, click on the name of the TMA serving your county for information about their programs and services.
Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.
858-596-8228

Bergen County and western portions of Hudson County, eastern portions of Passaic, Union and Essex and Monmouth Counties
201-939-4242, toll free 866-208-1307

Hunterdon County
908-788-5553

Mercer County, Montgomery Township (Somerset County) and Ocean County
609-452-1491

Hudson County
201-324-6222

Middlesex County
732-745-4465

Somerset County, except for Montgomery Township
908-704-1011

Morris, Sussex, Warren, and western portions of
Passaic and Essex Counties
973-267-7600
 
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About Us: TMA Council of NJ (TMAC NJ) is comprised of the Executive Directors of New Jersey's eight Transportation Management Associations. TMAs are non-profit organizations that work with businesses, commuters, county, and local governments, and state agencies to implement programs that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
Funding for the TMAs, is provided in part, by the Federal Highway Administration, NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT), NJ TRANSIT, North Jersey Transportation Authority (NJTPA), Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), private foundations, local businesses and other sources.