New Jersey Celebrates Family-Friendly Bike Month and Week

5/6/14 - By Rachel Sokol

Did you know The Garden State currently ranks NUMBER ONE in the U.S. for most bike-friendly college campuses and businesses?*  New Jersey is also ranked Number 12 for on the list of bike-friendliest states. There’s some Jersey pride for you! May is Bike Month, so let’s all celebrate the power of the speedy, earth-friendly two-wheeler. Below is a list of New Jersey bike events, so grab your helmet, screw on those steering wheels—if your kiddies need them—and enjoy a classic American pastime…riding a bike. And hey, if a bike was good enough transport for Mary Poppins…it’s just as fab for MOMMY Poppins, right?

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The Town of Millburn recently posted on its homepage the perks of bike riding we need to remember: Cycling can be a group activity that brings people together; it's great exercise and can help reduce stress; you can save money on gas or public transit; it's good for the environment.

Mercer and Ocean counties are hosting a bunch of family-friendly cycle activities. May 19-23rd is Walk or Bike to School Week, which encourages kids and their parents to get some healthy fresh air—and a great workout—just before the school day begins. (And ending your school day with a bike ride is a great way to relax the body, mind, and soul) In April, the Greater Mercer TMA** hosted a bookmark design content for kids and the winning bookmarks can be found at public libraries throughout Mercer and Ocean.

Bike to Work Week is Monday, May 12 to Friday, May 17th. The Greater Mercer and Ocean TMA is encouraging residents to pledge to bike to work—if they can!—not only for themselves, but for the planet.  Log your miles into the TMA’s Web site and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win healthy prizes and a T-shirt. Encourage children to do so as well and let them see mom and dad take off for work on a two wheeler—hopefully they’ll drop the video game remote and join in. All pledge participants will receive a certificate of participation with their travel miles and CO2 savings noted.

The Greater Mercer and Ocean TMA offers bike safety tips for adults and children; information about sessions can be found on their Web site. Also, read bike journals from New Jersey residents on the site’s homepage for encouragement and inspiration.

If you’re seeking a list of bike trails in New Jersey, click here for a cool, interactive app.Some trails you can explore with the whole family include: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park (Princeton), Kittatinny Valley State Park, (Andover), and more. A helpful map is available here.

According to The League of American Bicyclists, the towns of West Windsor, Hoboken, and Ocean City are regarded as the bike-friendliest in New Jersey? It’s where you can find some large populations of cyclists of all ages. They stress bike safety in the elementary schools and most locals are active bike league members.*

* Source: The League of American Bicyclists
**   Located nationally, TMA’s are non-profit, public private partnerships dedicated to reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility. Turnaround Management Associations encourage young professionals to engage in their communities.