NJAIM conducted four (4) classroom workshops and one (1) on-street outreach event during the first half of July. Ambassadors conducted classroom workshops on safe bicycling and walking at Boys and Girls Club camps in Trenton and YMCA camps in East Orange. NJAIM conducted on-street outreach in Asbury Park, NJ. NJAIM also met with representatives from Spotswood, Clark and Paterson and representatives from the Chronic Disease Coalition of Middlesex, Union, Hunterdon, Burlington and Cumberland Counties to provide an in-depth overview of Complete Streets.
On-Street Outreach
Ambassadors at East Orange YMCA.
1. Boardwalk, Asbury Park, NJ
Ambassadors educated approximately 750 people on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Although not as busy as expected, ambassadors experienced a steady flow of pedestrian traffic. Many of the people the ambassadors interacted with were interested in receiving literature.
2. Boys and Girls Club, Trenton, NJ
Ambassadors conducted a bicycle safety workshop at the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton and Mercer County for approximately 80 students. Ambassadors focused on the benefits of active transportation, safe cycling equipment, and safe riding skills.
3. Boys and Girls Club of Trenton at Columbus Elementary, Trenton, NJ
Ambassadors conducted a bicycle safety workshop for three separate summer youth programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton. The workshop was held at the Columbus Elementary School and approximately 180 students attended.
Ambassadors at the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton.
4. East Orange YMCA, East Orange, NJ
Ambassadors held the first two weeks of a nine week safe cycling course at the East Orange YMCA. During the first week Ambassadors educated approximately 80 students; and during the second week, Ambassadors educated approximately 100 more. In the first week of the program, Ambassadors presented on the benefits of active transportation, safe cycling equipment, and safe riding skills. During the second week of the program, Ambassadors fitted all 100 students with helmets, demonstrated the ABC Quick Check, and performed a quick assessment of the students’ ability to start, balance, and stop on a bicycle.
Governmental Outreach and Technical Assistance
Complete Streets Informational Meetings with Middlesex, Union, Hunterdon, Burlington and Cumberland Counties
NJAIM also met with representatives from Spotswood, Clark, and Paterson and representatives from the Chronic Disease Coalition of Middlesex, Union, Hunterdon, Burlington and Cumberland 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.
Over the next two weeks, NJAIM will be conducting in-class outreach at the YMCA in East Orange and on-street outreach will take place in Camden and Toms River. Check in with us at the end of July to find out what the ambassadors accomplished!