June
2002
Trenton Cycling Revolution: think global, ride
local
By
Lisa M. Kasabach
Do
you have a bicycle? Do you ride it often, or is it tucked away
somewhere in your basement? Well, dig it out and join the Trenton
Cycling Revolution!
The
Trenton Cycling Revolution (TCR) is a nonprofit membership organization
based in Trenton, New Jersey. Its mission is to create a safe
and healthy environment for bicyclists in Greater Trenton through
education, advocacy and promotion. TCR is made up of a diverse
group of bicycling advocates and enthusiasts, both individuals
and organizations.
TCR's
goals include increasing the number of people using bicycles as
transportation, creating a safe environment for bicyclists, providing
security for bicycles and improving the quality of the environment.
TCR also hopes to increase linkages between bicyclists, pedestrians
and users of public transportation. It seeks to improve the health
of individuals and families by providing opportunities for recreation
while at the same time providing opportunites for education and
advocacy. And its members intend to create a "master plan"
for bicycling.
Its
programs are varied as well, as people of all ages bike for all
different reasons. Initatives include:
Cool
Helmets
TCR
received its first grant from the Community Foundation of New
Jersey for the Cool Helmet program. This summer the Trenton Bicycle
Police Patrol will carry Cool Helmet coupons that are redeemable
for one free ice cream at a local ice cream shop.
If
the police see a child wearing a helmet, they congratulate the
child for safe habits and reward him or her with a coupon. This
program highlights positive behaviors and builds healthy relationships
between children and police.
Monthly
Bike to Work Day
In
response to successful "Bike to Work" days over the
past few years, TCR has started to sponsor Bike to Work days every
month from April to October. Every month TCR partners with a local
establishment to provide a free light breakfast for all riders.
Bike to Work Day for June is Wednesday, June 5 from 7 to 9 a.m.
at Café Olé, South Warren Street, Trenton.
For
next year, TCR is planning a countywide Bike to Work day to highlight
the energetic and committed bicycling commuter community in Mercer
County.
Third
Annual Bike Week
Third
Annual Bike Week is a weeklong event of meetings, tours and workshops
to highlight a variety of aspects of bicycling in the Greater
Trenton area culminating with the Sixth Annual Trenton Bike Tour
on Saturday, June 8 at the Trenton War Memorial. The TCR Web site
(www.pagespider.com/tcr) has up-to-date details.
City
Tours
TCR's
City Tours Program is designed to show groups and tourists the
city of Trenton- recreational, educational, healthy, sustainable
and a great way to see the city. TCR looks forward to a strong
partnership with a variety of stakeholders, including the Trenton
Police Department, the Trenton Convention and Visitor's Bureau,
the Marriott Hotel and the Trenton Board of Education.
Bike-Friendly
Businesses
The
Bike-Friendly Businesses program is a growing initiative to highlight
businesses that incorporate facilities and provide incentive programs
for bicyclists in Greater Trenton.
Recycle
a Bike
Recycle
a Bike is a program to repair old and discarded bicycles for reuse.
The program teaches participants bicycle repair and maintenance
skills, while they earn a bicycle for personal use.
TCR
members are excited to be a partner with the Greater Trenton community
to create a bicycle friendly environment. For commuters, occasional
recreational riders, racers, or those who have bikes with two
flat tires in the basement, TCR's goal is to inspire people to
join the revolution.
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For
more information, visit the TCR Web site at www.pagespider.com/tcr,
send e-mail to lkasabach@aol.com
or call 609-394-8108.
