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

Event, Classroom and On-Street Outreach Activities

1.       Galloway Rodeo

Ambassadors began the summer assisting a group from southern New Jersey, Cross County Connection, at the Galloway Bicycle Rodeo. They reached out to about 22 people sharing bicycling literature and fitting and distributing around 12 helmets to children participating in the safety course.

2.      Highland Park Rodeo

NJAIM worked with around 50 people at the Youth Bike Rodeo during the Highland Park Street Fair. Partnering with Keep Middlesex Moving, the Ambassadors fitted and distributed roughly 30 helmets for children participating in the street safety courses

3.      Mountainside Elementary

Ambassadors conducted outreach with Active Transportation at Meadowlink at Mountainside Elementary. They educated roughly 100 second grade students and 12 adults on bicycle safety which students then used on a ride around the nearby neighborhood. Ambassadors taught students how to scan and begin in the power position.

4.      Middlesex

Ambassadors worked with Keep Middlesex Moving to teach second grade students from Watchung Elementary School about bicycle safety. Over the course of two hours, Ambassadors came in contact with roughly 70 students and 10 adults. Ambassadors checked helmets and bikes for safety and also taught skills such as proper breaking and hand signals.

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: Asbury Park, Livingston, Clifton, Milburn, Verona, Bayonne, Paramus, Belleville, Winslow, Plainfield, Nutley, Edison, Wayne, Garfield, Teaneck, West Cardwell, Montville, Bradley Beach, Rahway, Westwood, Bay Head and Summit. The list of counties contacted included Bergen and Union Counties.

To request the services of NJAIM please go here: https://njbikeped.org/nj-ambassadors-in-motion-njaim/

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