NJAIM attended 7 events – reaching more than 2,500 people – during the first half of August. Ambassadors conducted three classroom workshops on safe bicycling and walking, two at the YMCA camp in East Orange and one at the Neptune Township Summer Rec Program. Ambassadors also conducted on-street outreach in Avon-By-The-Sea, Fort Lee, Point Pleasant Beach, Union City, and Jersey City. NJAIM also met with representatives from the Chronic Disease Coalitions of Cape May, Atlantic and Bergen Counties to provide an in-depth overview of Complete Streets
Ambassador Yuling Gao distributing literature in Jersey City.
On-Street Outreach
1. Boardwalk, Avon-By-The-Sea
Ambassadors distributed bicycle and pedestrian safety pamphlets to 150 people along the beachfront walkway, including many families with multiple children.
2. Center Street and Main Street, Fort Lee
Ambassadors distributed bicycle and pedestrian safety literature to 250 people at this intersection in the center of town. Pedestrian traffic was steady, yet not overwhelming, and consisted mostly of professionals out to lunch.
3. Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach
Ambassadors distributed bicycle and pedestrian safety literature to approximately 500 people along the Jenkinsons Boardwalk. The Ambassadors encountered a very high number of large groups and families with children.
4. 43rd Street and Bergenline Avenue, Union City
Ambassadors distributed bicycle and pedestrian safety literature to 1,000 people along is busy commercial corridor. We encountered a high number of families and Spanish speakers.
5. Grove Street Station Plaza, Jersey City
Ambassadors distributed bicycle and pedestrian safety literature to 500 people at urban plaza during the Jersey City Farmers’ Market. Pedestrian traffic was steady and consisted mostly of single professionals coming to or from the train station.
Ambassadors with students at the Neptune Township Summer Rec Program.
Classroom Outreach
East Orange YMCA
Ambassadors held the sixth and seventh weeks of a nine week safe cycling course at the East Orange YMCA. Ambassadors educated approximately 100 students each week. In past weeks, the focus had been on the overall benefits of active transportation, the importance of helmets, and basic cycling skills. During week six and seven, the focus was placed on safety skills, such as proper passing techniques, signaling, and how to safely use a crosswalk.
Neptune Township Summer Rec Program
Ambassadors conducted a bicycle safety workshop at the Neptune Township Summer Rec Program for approximately 60 students. Ambassadors focused on the benefits of active transportation, safe cycling equipment and safe riding skills, as well as preforming helmet fittings for approximately 10 students.
Governmental Outreach and Technical Assistance
Complete Streets Informational Meetings with Cape May, Atlantic and Bergen Counties
NJAIM met with representatives from the Chronic Disease Coalitions of Cape May, Atlantic and Bergen Counties to provide an in-depth overview of Complete Streets. They also discussed ways in which the coalition can show their support for the adoption of Complete Streets policies in the region, as physical activity is fundamental to preventing chronic disease.
Up Next…
Over the next two weeks, NJAIM will be conducting in-class outreach at the YMCA in East Orange, as well as on-street outreach in Keansburg, Ridgewood, Bloomfield, and Newark. Check in with us in early September to find out what the ambassadors accomplished!