Bicycle Tourism: Cyclists Welcome!

Bicycle tourism is a growing segment of the tourism industry, supporting local communities, businesses, and economies. According to a study by the Outdoor Recreation Association, bicycle travelers stay longer in a region and spend up to 40% more than the average motorized tourist.

goHunterdon has been actively promoting Hunterdon County as a bicycling destination since the launch of the Bike Hunterdon initiative in 2010.

One way to support bicycle tourists is to identify establishments like coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, and retailers where they can easily park their bicycle, grab a bite to eat and re-fuel,“ says Tara Shepherd, goHunterdon executive director. “Our Cyclists Welcome program provides businesses with an opportunity to highlight themselves as particularly welcoming to bicyclists.

More than thirty Hunterdon businesses have already signed up and received a colorful free decal to display at their business. A list of current “Cyclists Welcome” locations is available here.

Hunterdon businesses are invited to request a decal by completing a brief online form.

For more information: https://www.bikehunterdon.org/cyclist-welcome-decal

Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Offers Forum for Local Green Teams

Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Offers Forum for Local Green Teams

goHunterdon provides free assistance to Hunterdon municipalities and schools seeking certification under the statewide Sustainable Jersey program. goHunterdon also coordinates the Sustainable Hunterdon Hub, a forum for municipal green team representatives interested in promoting sustainability within Hunterdon County. “Many of the Actions that municipalities and schools can pursue under the Sustainable Jersey program are complementary to goHunterdon’s mission, particularly the Actions related to Land Use and Transportation, Health and Wellness, and Community Sustainability,” says Tara Shepherd, goHunterdon Executive Director.

A 2023 kick off meeting of the Sustainable Hunterdon Municipal Hub was held in January and a second meeting was held in March. The event featured an expert panel including representatives of NJ Department of Environmental Protection, NJ Electric Vehicle Association, and Sustainable Jersey to offer information, updates, and guidance on encouraging electric vehicle adoption and implementing electric vehicle infrastructure in their community. Ten Hunterdon municipalities were represented at the event, including the Town of Clinton, Clinton Township, Flemington Borough, Franklin Township, High Bridge Borough, Holland Township, Kingwood Township, Raritan Township, Readington Township, and Tewksbury Township.

The March meeting focused on opportunities for increased collaboration among municipal green teams, new and updated Sustainable Jersey Action Items, and plans for Earth Day 2023.

The next Sustainable Hunterdon Hub meeting will be held in July. For more information about the Sustainable Hunterdon Hub or getting involved with your municipal Green Team, contact Margret Thompson, mthompson@gohunterdon.org

Readington Township and Flemington Borough Police Departments Latest to Promote “Street Smart NJ” Campaigns

Readington Township and Flemington Borough Police Departments Latest to Promote “Street Smart NJ” Campaigns

Readington Township and Flemington Borough are the latest Hunterdon municipalities to conduct Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety education campaigns aimed at changing the behaviors that contribute to pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

Street Smart NJ is a collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit organizations. The Readington Township Police Department and Flemington Borough Police Department will work with goHunterdon, to promote behaviors that improve safety for people who are driving and walking.

The Readington Township campaign will focus along Route 523 in the Whitehouse Station section of the township. The Flemington Borough Street Smart NJ campaign will focus on Mine Street. Both campaigns will begin in May 2023.

During each of the campaigns, Street Smart NJ messaging will be visible on street signs, and in local businesses on table tents, brochures, posters, coasters, and take out coffee sleeves. Reusable Street Smart NJ branded shopping bags will also be distributed. Local police will reinforce speed limits, distracted driving laws, and the “stop for pedestrians in crosswalks” law.

Street Smart NJ is one of many initiatives in New Jersey working to help the state reach its goal of zero pedestrian fatalities. The campaign reminds people that everyone has a role to play in making our streets safer. Drivers need to obey speed limits and stop for people crossing; people walking need to use crosswalks (marked and unmarked) and cross with the signals; and everyone needs to avoid distractions.

The statewide Street Smart NJ campaign is managed by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and began in 2013.

The Readington Township and Flemington Borough campaigns will mark the 16th and 17th campaigns conducted in Hunterdon County. Prior campaigns have been conducted in Califon Borough, Town of Clinton, Frenchtown Borough, High Bridge Borough, City of Lambertville, Milford Borough, and Tewksbury Township.

For more information, contact Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Coordinator, rfisher@gohunterdon.org

Community Mobility Program Provides Training on Local Transportation Options

Community Mobility Program Provides Training on Local Transportation Options

goHunterdon’s Community Mobility Program provides travel training to individuals and small groups interested in learning how to use the Hunterdon County’s LINK Transportation System, NJ TRANSIT Raritan Valley Rail service, local taxis, and ride hailing services Uber and Lyft, safely and confidently.

Participants will learn to how to create an independent travel plan, including identifying the transportation services that are most appropriate for their travel needs and ability, how to read and understand service schedules, plan a trip, request a ride, or download and use rideshare apps. Travel training will also include how get to and from a transit stop, pay fares, purchase tickets, or passes, board and de-board vehicles.

Training is offered to individuals through one-on-one instruction. Small group training is provided using a broader presentation style approach, providing general information. For both individual and small group training, goHunterdon staff will accompany participants on a trial ride.

Hunterdon County residents 18 years and older are eligible to participate in travel training. Individuals under 18 are invited to participate but must have a parent or guardian accompany them. This training is free-of-charge, but participants are required to pay any fares.

For more information, contact Wendy Parcell, Community Mobility Coach, wparcell@gohunterdon.org

Trans-Bridge Transitioning to Reservation Based System

Trans-Bridge Transitioning to Reservation Based System

On Monday, April 3, 2023 Trans-Bridge Lines began a reservation based system on the Doylestown/Flemington service. Passengers must book their boarding passes for the exact day and time they intend to travel. With a reservation, passengers have confirmed seating for the bus run they have purchased.

“We are excited to take this next step forward for our passengers and our company,” says Jim JeBran, Executive Vice President/Treasurer of Trans-Bridge Lines. “We began offering online ticketing in June 2022, and this next transition to a reservation-based system is a natural progression in ensuring a seamless passenger experience. Reservations will give our riders the peace of mind that they are confirmed for the route they intend to utilize.”

All other schedules (Wall Street, Newark Airport, Wind Creek, and Allentown/Clinton) will continue to be boarded/seated on a first-come, first-served basis until further notice. We cannot confirm seating on these schedules at this time. The advance purchase of tickets is still highly recommended, but the advance purchase of paper or electronic tickets does not reserve or confirm seating.

For more information, please visit http://transbridgelines.com/