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Bicycle Safety

Grab Your Helmets!

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2013logoBicycling to work not only benefits our environment, but our personal health as well.  Dependence on the automobile harms our planet and can create unnecessary stress in our lives.  Choosing an alternative form of transportation,  like the bicycle, can help to improve pollution, traffic congestion, and safety concerns. It even saves you money!

Bike to Work Week is an international event that encourages commuters to ride their bike to work at least once during the week.  The event ultimately raises awareness about the ease of using a  bicycle for everyday transportation needs and the environmental and health benefits of doing so.

So grab your helmets and join KMM and bike to work.  Remember, biking to your school, train station or even biking while runnning errands qualifies as biking.  Everyone who registers for this program will even be entered to win tickets to a show at the State Theater in New Brunswick or Playhouse 22!  For all the details and to register, visit the KMM site and get biking today!

Safer Routes to School, All Year Round

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Through a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and local communities and schools, KMM is making it safer and easier for children to walk and bike to school.  Walking to school is a fun and recreational exercise for students and parents. Children practice and observe safe pedestrian skills with the added bonus of arriving at school alert and ready to learn. In addition, by walking and biking to school children learn an environmentally friendly alternative to driving. In the big picture, reducing driving for school drop off reduces local traffic congestion, auto emissions, agirl_on_bikend traffic accident risk.

The biggest SRTS event of the year is Walk to School Day, held in early October. This year, we registered 19 schools in 14 different towns, representing 5,000 eligible students. Walk to School Day events included group walks to school, tables at the school entrance, and walks around the school neighborhood during the school day. In addition to stickers, worksheets, and bookmarks, KMM provided reflective zipper pulls for each participant and “We Take Safe Routes” banners to each school. Executive Director Bill Neary and staff members Peter Bilton and Vicki Becker helped at events in Milltown, East Brunswick, New Brunswick, and Highland Park.

This year, we’re adding a Spring Walk and Bike to School Day which will be discussed at a workshop in February. Also on the agenda are walking school buses, KMM’s Golden Sneaker contest, bike rodeos, and engaging walk and bike safety classroom or assembly presentations. To learn how you can bring a Safe Routes programto your school or register for our February 25, 2013, contact KMM.

~PB

Baby It’s Cold Outside – But Not for Biking!

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Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you have to stop biking (to work, to school, to the store). A little extra preparation can make your winter cycling experience comfortable, safe, and fun. Plus, cycling through the winter is a great way to keep your New Year’s health and fitness resolutions!

MP900432901In dry weather you can cycle in your ordinary clothes, with a couple considerations for the cold: warm, wind-resistant gloves and a perhaps a thin cap that covers your ears and fits under your bike helmet. On the coldest days you may want to add a scarf to cover your mouth and nose, and extra-warm socks. Is your regular winter coat too thin for the cold wind of winter cycling? Just wear a fleece vest or light sweater underneath.

When the road is wet, fenders keep your clothes and shoes dry. An alternative is rain pants and shoe covers available at most bike shops. Thicker tires give more traction and control on wet or slushy roads. Ride a little slower than normal to maintain control of your bike.

Remember that it gets dark earlier in winter, so if you’re going to be riding in the late afternoon or evening bring your lights – a front white light and a rear red light. Also, consider wearing light-colored clothes or a reflective vest for even better visibility.

Enjoy your ride this winter!

~PB

Hello world!

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KMM-small-1KMM is proud to launch our very new Intersections blog!  Here we will share our thoughts, ideas and information to those who are interested in alternative modes of commuting, sustainable issues and community programing geared to safety.  We hope you enjoy our blog as much as we enjoy blogging!

Happy and Safe Commuting

~CCF