GMTMA’s Summer of Safety: Teaching Kids to Walk, Bike, and Travel Safely
Summer is the perfect time for kids to get outside, explore their communities, and stay active. It’s also an important time to build the skills they need to travel safely. Already this summer, Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association (GMTMA) delivered seven bicycle and pedestrian safety education events across Mercer and Ocean Counties, reaching 234 youth ages 4 to 17.
Programs included RISE Summer Camp in East Windsor, Bay Head Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing Program, Princeton Police Youth Academy, Robbinsville Library, and the Spokes & Skills youth cycling program. Each presentation was tailored to the age group being served, with younger children learning pedestrian and bicycle safety basics while older students explored topics such as traffic laws, helmet safety, and New Jersey’s e-bike rules.
One collaborative highlight was Spokes & Skills, a free six-session cycling program for middle school students created by the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County. GMTMA proudly supports the program by leading hands-on bicycle safety training and providing properly fitted helmets, bicycle bells, and lights to help participants ride safely and confidently. The partnership with The Bike Exchange expands the program with access to free bicycles and tune-ups, making cycling more accessible for participating families. Additional support from Safe Kids Mercer County, led by Capital Health emphasized the prevention of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and the importance of proper helmet fit. This joint initiative creates a supportive environment where participants safely progress from basic riding skills to five-mile group trips, culminating in a well-deserved graduation ride.
Through these collaborative efforts, participants gain the knowledge, skills, and equipment needed to become safer, more capable cyclists while embracing active and sustainable transportation. By meeting youth where they gather and tailoring education to their needs, GMTMA is helping build a generation of safer, more informed pedestrians and cyclists throughout our communities.