NJAIM team member handing out pedestrian safety information in Point Pleasant, NJ
July was a busy month for the New Jersey Ambassadors in Motion (NJAIM). As people all across New Jersey hit the beaches and boardwalks, Ambassadors took to the streets to let people know about pedestrian safety. Partnering with Street Smart NJ, a public education and awareness campaign, BPRC’s Ambassadors handed out literature in several Shore communities.
On July 8, they visited Asbury Park to remind revelers to stay aware of their surroundings, use crosswalks, and observe posted signs and signals. The following week, they visited Point Pleasant Beach and the iconic Jenkinson’s Boardwalk to remind kids and parents alike to look up from phones and other devices when navigating roadways.
Bicycle Rodeo n Plainfield, NJ
The AIM team also participated in a number of bicycle rodeos during July, helping teach valuable bicycle skills to children. On July 26, Plainfield hosted their annual “Christmas in July” bicycle giveaway, where dozens of area children received refurbished bicycles and new helmets, free of charge. Ambassadors assisted EZ Ride in guiding the newly-wheeled kids through a course that taught basic skills like starting and stopping, signaling, and obstacle avoidance. The Plainfield Fire and Police Departments were also in attendance, and AAA distributed bicycle safety information.
Children learning to start, stop, and yield at Anastasia Amerigo Elementary.
On July 27 and 28, NJAIM teamed up once again with EZ Ride for bicycle rodeos at two Long Branch schools: Gregory Elementary and Anastasia Amerigo Elementary. The kids may not have wanted to be in summer school, but they were thrilled to get new helmets and practice skills on a course that tested turning, yielding, and spatial awareness. Despite the July heat, they were all smiles.
For more information about the Ambassadors in Motion program, funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and how to request an ambassador for future events, click here.