New Jersey Ambassadors in Motion (NJAIM) have been around the state assisting with bicycle rodeos, street safety, and even a bicycle valet. NJAIM, an initiative from the NJ Bicycle Pedestrian Resource Center, was created to help spread knowledge about bicycle safety, bicycle laws, basic bicycle maintenance, and more.
Read on for details on some recent NJAIM events.
Livewell Rahway Expo Bike Rodeo: Rahway 4/14/2019
The bicycle rodeo at the Rahway Recreation Center took place in Mid-April. The rodeo was part of an expo joined by the residents of Rahway and its neighboring communities. The residents went through helmet fittings before participating in a Safe Skills Riding Course. Helmets were given out to youths who did not have one. The rodeo gave residents an opportunity to practice multiple skills such as riding in a straight line and using hand signals for turning.
Dairy Queen Bike Giveaway & Helmet Fitting: Plainfield 4/27/2019
The bicycle rodeo was sponsored by EZ Ride, The Coffee Box, and Dairy Queen. The event was held in The Coffee Box and Dairy Queen parking lot in Plainfield. A total of 125 bikes and helmets were given to those in need. They were distributed on a first come, first-serve basis. Dairy Queen has given out around 2,800 bikes.
Spring Kick-off 2019: Trenton 4/27/2019
The bicycle rodeo in Trenton was a collaboration event between Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Trenton Cycling Revolution assisted by NJAIM volunteers. It was a great event with everyone displaying their knowledge of safety procedures while biking and also providing an enjoyable way for others to increase their comfort while riding.
Communiversity: Princeton 4/28/2019
In a unique partnership, Sustainable Princeton, Princeton’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and NJAIM, held a bike valet at the Communiversity, an event hosted by the Arts Council of Princeton, which draws around 40,000 people. Two bike valet locations were set up for the event because bike valet services had experienced great successes in the previous year. The bike valet created an opportunity for NJAIM to distribute safety pamphlets and encourage biking around the area.
Red Bank Earth Day Green Fair Bike Rodeo: Red Bank 4/28/2019
On April 28th, NJAIM teamed up with EZ Ride to host a bike rodeo at the 2nd Annual Red Bank Earth Day Expo. It was a great opportunity to teach children about bike safety and give out riding tips. The children went through helmet fittings before participating in the bicycle obstacle course.
Asbury Park Alive Open Streets Bike Rodeo: Asbury Park 5/4/2019
The bicycle rodeo was held at the NJ Transit Station parking lot at the beginning of May. Despite early rain, the event was a great success with the help of the residents, EZ Ride members and NJAIM ambassadors. Asbury Park Police Department gave away bike lights and helmets to youths who needed them. This event helped bring residents out to ride, walk, juggle or otherwise have fun on city streets.
Watchung Elementary Bike Rodeo: Middlesex 5/8/2019
On May 8th, NJAIM teamed up with Keep Middlesex Moving to put on a bike rodeo at Watchung Elementary School in Middlesex during the school hours. A fun off-road obstacle course was laid out for the students to learn about bike safety. The different stations along the course gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their bicycle skills. The students learned to make hand signals, make emergency stops, scan for oncoming vehicles and many more.
GreenFest: Princeton 5/11/2019
In a partnership with Sustainable Princeton and Princeton’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, NJAIM ambassadors provided the event with bike parking and bike valet services. The bike valet created an opportunity for BPRC to distribute safety pamphlets and encourage biking around the region.
John Marshall All-Wheeled Rodeo: Edison 5/14/2019
The bicycle rodeo held at the John Marshall Elementary School was on a beautiful day. The students went through helmet-fitting before starting on the obstacle course. Blue color helmets were the first ones to finish as most of the students preferred blue. Along the length of the obstacle course, there were volunteers guiding the students with signaling, stopping and avoiding obstacles. The students were able to take turns on each station to stop, signal, turn and avoid any obstacles. There was also a police car present on the premise for the students to learn about it. The students were also able to use the different sirens present in the car. The event came to end with handing out raffle ticket prizes.
Bradley Elementary School Bike Rodeo: Asbury Park 5/22/2019
Students and EZ Ride member participating in the snail race.
Three NJAIM ambassadors assisted EZ Ride with a successful Bicycle Rodeo at Bradley Elementary School. The students went through a safety presentation and helmet fitting before being released outside for the riding portion of the rodeo. After the presentation, the students were eager to display their aptitude and knowledge of signals and bike safety to ride through the obstacle course. The students were eager to participate in a snail race (the last and the slowest one in the course wins) to show off their balancing skills on their bikes.
NJAIM Ambassadors continue to participate in bicycle and pedestrian outreach throughout the state all summer and into the fall. If you would like the assistance of NJAIM Ambassadors at your next event, fill out this request form and send it to bikeped@ejb.rutgers.edu.