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Middlesex County

Winter Magic – Hiking, Biking, and Walking

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Nature doesn’t stop when it gets cold outside and neither should you. This Winter, bundle up and get outdoors this winter to discover what Middlesex County has to offer.
We hope you use this guide as a blueprint or inspiration to explore.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY HAS…
Hiking – 6,300 acres of parks and conservation areas, perfect for hiking at any skill level
Biking- Cruise through historic towns, picturesque farmland, or urban greenways
Birdwatching- Over 300 species of birds, including some very rare migratory birds
Fishing- Enjoy year-round fresh or saltwater fishing spots
Snow Sports- If the weather permits, try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing
Art Tour- From vibrant murals to unique sculptures, check out our outdoor art
History Tour- Enjoy the new walkable history tour to see landmarks in New Brunswick, Highland Park and Piscataway
Don’t forget to take photos and tag #discoverMiddlesex.

For a complete guide, click on the link below

https://discovermiddlesex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/outdoorGuide-Winter-2021-v4-compressed.pdf

 

Post pulled from Discover Middlesex.

August is National Back to School Month

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Although many school districts begin in September, we celebrate National Back to School Month as a way to prepare for the coming school year.

Visit our Safe Routes to School resource page to learn what you can do and how KMM can help.

Walk and Bike to School Events

Walk and bike events, like International Walk to School Day in October, are a great way to introduce an SRTS program and get families excited about walking to school. KMM works with organizers to plan the event, map a suitable route and provide support materials.

Walk Safety Assembly

Crossing the street, traffic signals, crosswalks, and more are covered in this 45-minute interactive program ideal for first and second graders. The presentation uses slides and short videos. Giveaways include bookmarks, stickers, and glow-in-the-dark bracelets

Bike Safety Presentation

KMM presents a 20-minute program on bike safety including helmet use and fitting, basic traffic rules, and parts of the bicycle. Ideal for grades 4-6.

Bike Rodeo

This bike skills course helps students learn the basics of safe bicycling on a fun off-road course. Rodeos can be run during school, at an after-school program, at a summer camp, or during a community festival. KMM will plan your bike rodeo, layout a safety course, direct the event, and train volunteer

Walking School Bus

A walking school bus is a group of students walking together to school on a regular basis. Parents often take turns “driving” the bus, walking with the students, and providing supervision. KMM will help plan a route, assist in developing policies and procedures and provide a safety orientation to volunteers.

School Travel Plan

KMM works with schools and towns to create a plan to improve the walk or bike to school – this may include street fixes, educational programs, and police enforcement. This “school travel plan” is a blueprint for making improvements over time – and enables towns and schools to apply for supporting grants. KMM will prepare the plan with the participation of the Board of Education, municipality, parents, and community leaders.

Outside in Open! Bicycle Helmet Safety Tips

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Outside is Open! With so many of us practicing #Socialdistancing to #FlattenTheCurve, many of us are looking for ways to stay active. If bike riding is one of them, we share with you two quick videos on how to fit your #bikehelmet. Be safe and have fun!

Whether you’re riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, if there are wheels under your feet, NJ requires a helmet on your head up to the age of 17. Biking to school and around town can be a safe activity, though if you happen to fall, it’s smart to protect your head. Here are a few tips on how to wear a bicycle helmet safely:

For Adults:

For Children:

Tune in to Mobility Matters

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We are thrilled to share that KMM will be launching a radio show /podcast – Mobility Matters – on WCTC 1450 AM radio beginning in April 2019. Tune in on Wednesdays at 10 am. Join us as we talk to leading experts in the fields of transportation, sustainability, and economic development.

Love your Commute

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Commuting can be one of those items that fall way down on the list of things you love to do.  And you are not alone.  The average travel time for working New Jerseyans is 31.2 minutes, which is almost seven minutes longer than the average US commute.  So what can we do to make your commute better?

Commute Smarter.  Sounds silly, right edlekarna.cz?   Before you click away, let us explain.

Our staff can help you find a commute that not only maximizes your time spent commuting but also do so in a way that is sustainable for both your wallet and the environment.  We manage a host of databases that can match you with a carpool or vanpool partner.  We can connect you with transit-friendly solutions and provide you with tools that make biking to work an option if that is something you think you would like.  We even have a free NJ Traffic app you can download and customize to your commute! And if all options are not available for you, we can recommend the best podcasts or apps to accompany you on your commute.

Don’t spend one more moment dreading your commute.  Let us help you love your commute.   Reach out to us.

We’d be happy to help!

KMM Launches the Silver Safety Series

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KMM is excited to announce the launch of our new program for active adults called – Silver Safety Series. The program provides a number of interactive presentations that deal with driving safety, pedestrian issues, on-demand transportation alternatives, and even health and exercise. This program can be presented individually or as series and features interactive presentations, light refreshments, and giveaways.

Available to senior centers across Middlesex County, the program is FREE and can even be customized to each facility. Listed below are the options.  Again, a senior center can pick and choose which of the presentations they would like to offer and schedule them for a 1/2 day or as a series.  To learn more, or to schedule the Silver Safety Series, call our office (732-745-4465).

 

Senior Pedestrian Safety Presentation
20-minute interactive presentation on driving safety

Jay Walker Show
A 30-minute distracted walking video

Ride4Life
A 10-minute presentation offering information for on-demand
transportation service for senior citizens

 

Tis the Season… Safety Tips for Holiday Shopping

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Now that the holiday season is in full swing,  many of us will be checking our lists and heading out to the malls and town centers for holiday shopping. To help you shop safely, we’ve put together some Holiday Shopping tips.

  1. Before heading out to the big sales, map out the stores you plan to visit by trip chaining.  This not only saves on fuel, but it is also a most effective use of time.
  2. Something a lot of people forget when shopping is their own health. Have plenty of water and snacks with you in case your shopping takes longer than expected. Bring hand warmers for long outdoor lines.
  3. Parking lots are where most of the danger occurs during the holiday season. Don’t park between large vehicles. This might obscure your vision when you pull out and shoppers may not see you. Wear reflective clothing to make you visible in busy parking lots.
  4. Leave your car at home and take mass transit.  NJ TRANSIT serves many of the malls in Middlesex County and provides frequent stops.  Leave the driving to them and enjoy your shopping.

Wishing all of our friends a safe and joyous holiday season.

Importance of Your Seat Belt

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Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among those aged 1-55 in the U.S and it’s a growing issue all over the world. It is one of the top causes of severe injuries, which can lead to hospitalization and other serious consequences. Most of these injuries and fatalities can be prevented by simply wearing your seat belt.

You are more than likely already familiar with the fact that wearing a seat belt can save your life. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seat belts reduce the risk of death in vehicle accidents by around 50%. This being the most important reason you should always have a seat belt buckled around you.

There are plenty of other reasons why you should always wear a seat belt when it comes to your safety. Some other reasons include:

  1. It’s the law. If you are caught not wearing your seat belt, you could find yourself facing expensive fines, points on your license and other consequences.
  2. Air bags. Air bags become more effective if the person is wearing his or her seat belt. Not wearing your seat belt allows your body to move and shift out of the proper position in which an airbag can protect you during a collision.
  3. Seat belts are best known for protection. They protect and prevent you from being thrown from the vehicle, from hitting the windshield and keeping your body in place.

Seat belt use is one of the most effective ways to save lives and reduce injuries during motor vehicle crashes. Yet millions of people do not buckle up on every trip. It’s important to remember that your actions don’t just affect you, but others driving too. Any time you are on the road, make safe decisions and make wearing your seat belt a priority!

August 30th is National Beach Day!

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Everyone loves a trip to the beach, right? Watching the waves crashing, children playing in the sand, and feeling the warmth of the sun makes for the perfect beach day!

It’s such a great experience that we should always ensure the enjoyment it brings to everyone headed down the shore.

Every year, millions of aquatic/shore animals die from trash and debris left behind by beachgoers. It is important that everyone enjoying their day at the beach take the time to leave no trace of their fun once it’s over. Simply cleaning up after yourself and picking up waste reduces the risk of animals being trapped or tangled in trash. This also lessens the chance that their homes will be destroyed by garbage, allowing them to swim freely and live a longer healthier life.

Not only does cleaning up help protect the animals; it keeps the waters cleaner and safer for you to be in. Whether you swim, dive, or surf, being in the water with garbage floating around doesn’t make the experience a pleasant one. If you see trash laying in the sand, plastic bottles in the water or anything that could be dangerous, throw it out properly. You can do this by using a garbage can or recycle bin to dispose of the trash. Having cleaner waters doesn’t allow as many toxins to spread which overall makes swimming safer for everyone.

Celebrate your love for the shore this Thursday, August 30 on National Beach Day! This national holiday is meant to not only celebrate the beauty of the beach but also call attention to keeping the waters clean and safe for everyone. Be sure you do your part by keeping the beaches clean for the animals that live there and for all the generations of beachgoers to come!

A B C – Bicycle Safety Check List

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Bicycle riding is fun, healthy, and a great way to get some fresh air. Before riding, you should always inspect your bike to make sure all parts are secure and working properly.

A great way to do this is by following our A B C – Bicycle Safety Checklist:

  • Air- Always check the air pressure in your bicycle tires before you start riding. Pushing down with your hands on each tire lets you not only see, but also feel how much air there is and if any air needs to be added.
  • Brakes- Making sure your bicycles brakes work is essential for riding. You can simply check them by pulling the brake handles in and looking to see that your bike does not move when the handles are locked in.
  • Chains- The chains on your bicycle do more than you may think. The chain and cranks need to properly sit on your bike, move smoothly and have no rust. This will ensure that the chain works correctly and that all functions of the bike are possible.

The last thing you need to check before riding isn’t on your bicycle; it’s actually on your head! Wearing a properly fitted helmet not only protects your brain but can save your life. A properly fitted helmet should have no gaps between your temples and brow pads; the chinstrap should be snug and it should only allow one finger to be able to fit under the strap.

Before each bike ride, be sure to follow the A B C – Bicycle Safety Checklist and ride safe and ride worry free!