New Jersey Ambassadors in Motion (NJAIM)
NJAIM is the New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center’s public outreach team. The team consists of adult ambassadors trained to educate and conduct outreach to bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists to promote safety and active transportation throughout the state of New Jersey. The Ambassadors employ four forms of outreach: event outreach, classroom outreach, on-street outreach, and municipal/governmental outreach/assistance. The part-time ambassadors work from April to November in an effort to fulfill the following goals:
- Promote a culture of courtesy, acceptance, and safety for all modes
- Strengthen and leverage a network of community organizations and leaders who can advocate on behalf of safe bicycling and pedestrian activity in their communities
- Provide training and education that helps to transform places and behaviors
- Encourage non-motorized transportation as a viable alternative to motorized transport
- Encourage everyday safe practices and behaviors by all modes
Monday July 2, 2014
Ambassadors traveled to Union to hand out pamphlets on walking and cycling safety. They arrived at the intersection of Stuyvesant Avenue and Emerson Avenue at 11:30 am. There were very few people out walking in this area but the people they spoke with were interested in the safety information. Since there were so few people, they moved to Kean University. Over the course of the day, Ambassadors interacted with roughly 100 people.
Monday July 7, 2014
Now that summer is in full force, more and more children and youths are out on bicycles and exploring their local communities. As avid bicyclist and pedestrians, it is important to make sure they are safe. Ambassadors came across several young bicyclists and pedestrians in Toms River. They interacted with roughly 120 people along Washington Street. Very few people refused to speak with the team.
Wednesday July 9, 2014
NJAIM traveled to Orange to hand out pamphlets on walking and cycling safety. They arrived on Main Street and spent the first two hours walking. They then moved to South Orange to continue outreach where they had a good response from teenagers in large groups and estimated contact with 275 people.
Friday July 11, 2014
Ambassadors worked with Haas Media LLC conducting outreach for NJTPA’s Street Smart Pedestrian Safety Education Campaign on Long Beach Island. The island is a vacation destination for many, and with a large boulevard running through the middle, can be hazardous to drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Along with several volunteers, Ambassadors distributed pedestrian safety information along Long Beach Boulevard in order to promote safety to those accessing the beach. Ambassadors also left bicycle safety pamphlets at two bicycle shops on the southern part of the island.
Monday July 14, 2014
The complete streets infrastructure in Perth Amboy provided an excellent venue for pedestrian and bicycle safety. Ambassadors came in contact with over a hundred people, including several children. They spent most of the afternoon walking up and down Smith Street distributing pamphlets.
Government Outreach and Technical Assistance
The Ambassadors provided outreach and technical assistance on Complete Streets to several municipalities and counties throughout the state over the past two weeks. This list of municipalities contacted included: Union, Toms River, Orange, South Orange, Perth Amboy and Long Beach Island. The list of counties contacted included Ocean, Essex, Middlesex, and Union Counties
To request the services of NJAIM please go here: https://njbikeped.org/nj-ambassadors-in-motion-njaim/
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