Winter Cycling

I wanted to share a fantastic piece I heard on VPR (Vermont Public Radio) about year-round cycling enthusiasts in Vermont. Instead of putting your bikes away for winter, their message is: Keep Riding.

David Cohen

The piece is centered around two cyclists named, Phil Brubaker and Dave Cohen who are collectively developing a series of bike workshops. Although they are both pychotherapists, they jokingly refer to themselves as cycle therapists because of their fervor for riding and: "trying to create a community around it, trying to get these kids on bikes."

Brubaker believes that 20 minutes a day is all that is needed to boost your mental health and to reduce the onset of depression. He notes that depression is often more prevalent in the winter as the shorter days and longer nights often affect an individual's psyche. And along with exercise comes improved physicality as well as reduced stress.

David Cohen adds:  "For us biking represents a way back to experiencing the world in a renewed way, using our bodies ... for transport. And knowing the terrain, too. That's something you don't necessarily feel when you're in a car."

So in December, when you are putting your bikes away for the winter, I would recommend that you reconsider. Just be careful for black ice if you do decide to ride. I will post a list of tips for cycling in the winter so that you are safe and better prepared!

Listen to this piece here: http://www.vpr.net/flash/audio_player/audio_player.php?id=35053

Become A League Cycling Instructor!

NJBWC will host a League Cycling Instructor in New Brunswick, NJ on the weekend of April 20-22.

Ever wanted to teach Smart Cycling and help cyclists in your community? Now is your chance to get certified in becoming a League Cycling Instructor (LCI). New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition will host a program in which certified instructors can teach Smart Cycling classes to children as well as adults.

NJBWC wants experienced cyclists to consider taking the next step toward certification. Having more
cycling instructors can help promote safe cycling!

Please note that becoming a League member and taking Traffic Skills 101 are prerequisites for a certification seminar.

For those interested in achieving the LCI certification but who do not yet have the pre-requisite Traffic Skills 101 course, NJBWC will even hold several classes during the months of February and March prior to the seminar weekend. 

You can get additional information by contacting  NJBWC

Turkey Bike 2011

Turkey Day is right around the corner and so is Turkey Bike 2011! The gist of this cycling venture is as follows: On Saturday, November 19, participants meet up 8:00am at Cycle Craft: The Ultimate Bicycle Store in Parsippany, NJ (located at New Road & Route 46). The group will then cycle over to the local supermarket and pick up some frozen turkeys. The cyclists must deliver these turkeys over to the New Jersey Food Bank Turkey Drive drop off point in Florham Park.

This ride isn't too far... only 10 miles. BUT the catch is that you have to carry (in some cases) a 25 pound turkey with you on your bike! Instead of a noble attempt to balance the turkey carcass on your head, I recommend a much easier device: bring a backpack.

This is a great way to get involved in your local community, maintain your healthy lifestyle AND help people all at the same time! In 2009, the group delivered 12 turkeys. Last year they delivered 27! Help them break the record this year! The goal is 60 turkeys!

It is free to enter, save for the cost of one turkey!

To sign up: click here!

Linwood Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

There will be a public meeting about the Linwood Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the Linwood City Hall, 400 Poplar Ave.

The plan is being prepared by the consulting firm Michael Baker Jr. Inc. and is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. It is intended to promote bicycle and pedestrian accessibility, mobility and safety in the community. Preliminary recommendations for bicycle and pedestrian improvements will be presented.

Recommendations include plans to extend the Linwood bike path to connect with commercial centers and residential neighborhoods. Additionally, Linwood would improve the bike path while also making changes to streets in order to provide for bike lanes and sidewalk installation to improve pedestrian safety.

Members of the public can stop by at any point from 4-7 p.m. to review recommendations and ask questions of the study team.

The Daily Commute and Active Transportation

According to a study conducted by several researchers at Lund University, commuting by car or bus every morning is more detrimental to your health than a commute by walking or cycling.

Researchers tracked 21,000 people, ages 18 - 65 who worked more than 30 hours per week and traveled by car, bus or train  as well as those who participated in a more active type of commute like walking and cycling.

Erik Hansson, a researcher from Lund University's Faculty of Medicine found that car and public transport users suffered more everyday stress, poorer sleep quality, exhaustion and, on a seven-point scale, felt that they struggled with their health compared to the walkers or cyclists.

Hansson said in a statement. "The negative health of public transport users increased with journey time. However, the car drivers who commuted 30 to 60 minutes experienced worse health than those whose journey lasted more than one hour."

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/10/28/Commuting-by-car-bus-can-harm-health/UPI-47311319845624/#ixzz1dFddivu6

The Boys and Girls Club BIKE EXCHANGE

Great Program to get involved with if you have used bikes laying around:

The Boys and Girls Club Bike Exchange: is an organization of volunteers that collect, refurbish and resell donated bikes from its shops in Newark and Trenton. The mission is simply to provide low-cost quality bikes to individuals in the local area while also using the funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton and Newark, NJ.

This is a GREAT way to get involved in the cycling culture here in NJ while also contributing to a good cause.

The Boys and Girls Club provides opportunities for youths that empowers them to excel and succeed as contributing members of society. The programs this organization provides enables youths to develop life skills such as character and leadership which additionally allows for them to realize their potential.

Great cause, great people.

To learn more about donating, visit their website: http://www.bikeexchangenj.org/

Happy Trails!

Six Mile Run Reservoir Site

The Six Mile Run Reservoir Site is one of several "points of interest" along the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. This trail is located in Franklin Township, Somerset County. According to the park's website, it is Central New Jersey's " most hidden recreational resource" for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The 3,037 acre reservoir site, rich in cultural and historic significance, is also a valuable oasis of wetlands, forests, farmlands and old fields.