Congratulations to Princeton for becoming New Jersey’s first Silver level Bicycle Friendly Community! The League of American Bicyclists recognized Princeton’s new Bicycle Boulevards, as well as noting that Princeton University is New Jersey’s only Bicycle Friendly University.
The Bicycle Friendly America program evaluates multiple areas of activity, including miles of bicycle facilities, encouragement of bicycling, safety education and even bicycle parking, see: https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFC%20infographic.pdf
The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) notes that “a Bike Friendly Community welcomes bicyclists by providing safe accommodations for bicycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation. Making bicycling safe and convenient are keys to improving public health, reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality and improving quality of life.”
Key milestones toward becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community include adopting a Complete Streets policy, a Bicycle Mobility Plan into the official master plan, and implementing the plan through annual capital improvement projects and grant awards.
“More and more people are realizing that it is possible to move safely within Princeton, and they just have to know how to do it,” noted GMTMA Program Coordinator Lisa Serieyssol, who in her spare time chairs Princeton’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Businesses can also be recognized for their efforts to encourage a more welcoming atmosphere for bicycling employees, customers and the community with the LAB’s Bicycle Friendly Business program. The Princeton area is home to two of New Jersey’s four awardees (Whole Earth and REI-Princeton).
Please contact GMTMA if you’d like to help your community become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly!