Trenton Cycling Revolution, creating a safe and healthy environment for bicyclists and pedestrians in Greater Trenton through education, engagement, advocacy and promotion. Story of Complete Streets in Trenton.

1. Complete Streets in Trenton
Trenton Cycling Revolution
Dan Fatton, Chair
January, 2014

2. Trenton Cycling Revolution
Mission Statement:
To create a safe and healthy environment for bicyclists in Greater Trenton
through education, engagement, advocacy and promotion.
• Founded in 1990s
• Elected Chair in 2009
• Trenton Bike Tour, annual leisurely ride through Trenton,
2013 was our 17th successful event!

3. Economic Impacts
In 2011, bicycling and run/walk events generated
$57.82M in economic activity in NJ
according to the Voorhees Transportation Center
Since 2010, TCR has partnered and/or directly supported the following
organizations:
•Artworks Trenton
•Boys & Girls Club of Trenton
•Leon Rainbow
•Magical Mother Yoga
•Millennium Dance Crew
•SAGE Collective
•Trenton Social

4. Complete Streets in New Jersey
Montclair policy in October, 2009
NJDOT policy in December, 2009
Trenton Cycling Revolution, meeting topic, April, 2010

5. Complete Streets
Accommodate ALL Users for ALL Trips Safely & Efficiently
•Public transit users
•Bicyclists & Pedestrians
– All ages
– All abilities
•Motorists

6. About a third of Americans don’t drive
– Older people who don’t drive
– All children under 17
– Some people with disabilities
– Many low-income people who cannot
afford automobiles.
– Those that prefer a car-free lifestyle
TRENTON Car-Free Households
= 8,200 of 27,000 ~ 30%

7. Existing Streets are Inadequate
Lack of striped crosswalks for
pedestrians
Lanes are too narrow for motorists
to share with bikes
Streets are too wide, too dangerous
to cross on foot
No accommodations for people
with disabilities
Crumbling sidewalks, lack of
maintenance/cleaning

8. Streets In Trenton
Unmarked Crosswalks
Limited Bicycle Accommodations
Spotty ADA compliance
Poor Lighting
Safety Concerns

9. Pursuing Partnerships
New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK) is a statewide program
of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) with technical assistance
and direction provided by theNew Jersey YMCA State Alliance. The goal of
the program is to convene, connect and empower community partnerships
across the state to implement environment and policy changing strategies
that prevent childhood obesity.
Shaping NJ is the state partnership for the Nutrition, Physical Activity and
Obesity Program focusing on environmental and policy change around
obesity and chronic disease prevention.
Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey
that want to go green, save money and take steps to sustain their quality of
life over the long term. Launched in 2009 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support
and reward communities as they pursue sustainability programs.

10. 1st Letter of Support
•
September, 2011 - first draft focused on bicycles
•
Feedback on the draft letter
•
Pedestrian emphasis
•
Broadening focus of letter made easier for partners to sign, much stronger

11. Green Team
• 20 points in the Sustainable Jersey
certification process
• Additional allies to push for the policy
• Built staff support

12. Additional Follow-up
• Meetings with council representatives
• Feedback from planning staff
• Presentation at Council

13. Adoption by Council
March 1, 2012
Approved 7-0

14. Specific Action Steps
•Memo Distribution within 90 days
•Drafted memo for relevant staff, planning board, etc.
•Email requests to distribute
•July 18
•July 23
•August 1
•August 7
•August 21
•September 4
•Distributed to staff September 6, 2012
•Revisit specific Nelson/Nygaard plan
•Additional funding request was subsequently pursued
•Conduct Training within 180 days
•Identified funding
•Arranged logistics

15. Training
Certified complete streets trainer from RBA Group
~ 20 Participants on October 12, 2012
TDA commitment = $25,000 for streetscape improvements

16. 1st Walk Audit with TDA
Follow-up to that commitment
Postponed due to Hurricane Sandy
Monday, November 5
~ 12 participants
List of recommendations

17. National Recognition
Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition
ranked Trenton’s 2012 complete streets resolution:
8th BEST policy in the NATION
“Trenton’s policy should be a national standard,” said Stefanie Seskin,
Deputy Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition.

18. Bike Lanes on Market and Warren
Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge
Commission funding
1st new bike lanes in many years
Basis for a downtown bike loop

19. Social Rides

20. Continuing Advocacy

21. Downtown Trenton Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Stakeholder Meeting - February 11

22. Next Steps
DOT Checklist
Downtown Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
Project list
Bike loop
MARKET the city as a bicycle tourism destination
•
Master plan due 2015 – mobility element
•
Ordinance

23. Other Resources
.
National Complete Streets Coalition - http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets
The National Complete Streets Coalition, part of Smart Growth America, seeks to fundamentally transform the look, feel, and function of the roads and streets
in our community, by changing the way most roads are planned, designed, and constructed. The website is a great tool for understanding the benefits of having
complete streets in a community on national, state and local level. The Coalition also offers education and assistance in drafting and implementing policies.
New Jersey Department of Transportation - http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/eng/completestreets/
The NJDOT Complete Streets website offers a plethora of information regarding complete streets in New Jersey including the NJDOT policy adopted in 2009, a
video demonstrating the importance of complete streets in a community, examples of local success stories, tools for implementation, additional helpful links.
New Jersey Bicycle & Pedestrian Resource Center - http://www.njbikeped.org/
NJ Bicycle & Pedestrian Resource Center offers assistance to public officials, transportation and health professionals, and the public in creating a safer and more
accessible walking and bicycling environment through primary research, education and dissemination of information about best practices in policy and design.
The Center is supported by the New Jersey Department of Transportation through funds provided by the Federal Highway Administration.
New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition - http://www.njbikewalk.org/
New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition works to make New Jersey a better place to live, with safer, more enjoyable ways to walk and bike.
New Jersey Future - http://www.njfuture.org/
New Jersey Future employs original research, analysis and advocacy to build coalitions and drive land-use policies that help revitalize cities and towns, protect
natural lands and farms, provide more transportation choices beyond cars, expand access to safe and affordable neighborhoods and fuel a prosperous
economy.
Tri-State Transportation Campaign - http://www.tstc.org/
TSTC works to create more sustainable, equitable and transit friendly communities in downstate New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond.
trentoncyclingrevolution@gmail.com
www.trentoncycling.org