Every municipality in the state is included in one of nine Transportation Management Associations (TMAs). A TMA is defined by the Federal Highway Administration as a “voluntary association of public and private agencies and firms joined to cooperatively develop transportation-enhancing programs in a given area. TMAs focus on all pieces of local and regional transportation networks. Two New Jersey TMAs — Greater Mercer (Mercer County) and Cross County Connection (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties) — have put a lot of effort into bicycle endeavors for their coverage areas.
Mercer County has a mix of urban, suburban and rural municipalities served by a variety of transit options. The Greater Mercer TMA has taken some significant strides to make bicycling one of those options. The most visible steps have been the publication of a county bike map and the provision of bike lockers and racks at several rail stations in the county.
Published in 2003, the bike map helps local residents discern the best routes for bicycle travel, whether for recreation, commuting, running errands or exercise. The map indicates bike routes of every sort, from on-street dedicated bike lanes to off-road trails. The map also shows the location of area business parks to aid bike commuters, as well as county and municipal parks to direct residents towards recreation. Greater Mercer TMA also included the location of county bike shops on the map. On the reverse of the map, there is a listing of state bike laws as well as guidelines for bringing bikes aboard NJ TRANSIT and SEPTA, and bike safety tips.
Funding to create this map was provided by a $50,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The grant covered the mapping process, printing and the creation of a brochure and request card to be placed at local businesses. While the Greater Mercer TMA managed the process and was in charge of the layout and distribution of the maps, the actual mapping was performed by Bikeways Engineering, Inc of Princeton. To view the map, visit the Greater Mercer TMA web site at: www.gmtma.org/
The TMA provides bike lockers at a number of transit stations in the county. Lockers can be rented for only $7.50 per month or $90 per year. These fees are used to support upkeep of the lockers and a general bicycle network maintenance fund. The lockers offer commuters “secure and waterproof” storage for travel into or out of the county by rail. They are large enough to hold a bike plus a helmet and other gear. At the bus and rail stations that do not have lockers, the TMA provides bicycle racks. Greater Mercer TMA accepts locker reservations, answers questions and makes plans for any future placements. NJ TRANSIT maintains the lockers while the local parking authorities manage the parking lots where the lockers are located.
Statewide, NJ TRANSIT has bike racks at 90 percent of its train stations and 375 bike locker spaces. Its website lists the stations where the lockers are available as well as the rules and regulations regarding transporting bikes by transit.
Seven southern New Jersey counties are included in Cross County Connection’s (v) coverage area. CCC is very concerned with connecting its residents with shopping, work, recreation and transit by bicycle. To aid in reaching this goal, the TMA has created an interactive online bicycle map. The map “displays both existing and proposed bicycle facilities along with their connection to public transportation. [The purpose is] to identify bicycle facilities and transit routes to travel in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Atlantic Counties.” The interactive map is easy to use and has a lot of very helpful features. Users have the ability to measure specific route distances to aid in trip planning. Live links are provided to transit station location information and transit schedules. To access the interactive map visit, www.transportationchoices.com/interactivemaps.htm.
Lessons Learned
Teaming up with partners was vital to the success of these projects. Greater Mercer utilized expertise unavailable at the TMA and saved time. The work was shared amongst the three organizations, which each played a part in the set up and maintenance of the bike lockers. Each drew upon its strengths and was not required to make extra efforts to ensure that the site was maintained.
Results
Both of the TMA’s bike maps met with great success, so much so that the first printing was quickly distributed. Greater Mercer’s maps were circulated either directly from its office and website, or through request cards located at local businesses or transportation fairs throughout the community. Greater Mercer anticipates a second printing soon, and regularly directs those requesting a copy to its website for an on-line version. The lockers have also proven to be a popular improvement. Staff at the TMA report 95 percent usage year-round at the three locker sites. The remaining space is rotated amongst non-frequent users.
The bike network in southern New Jersey continues to improve as a result of CCCs efforts. The comprehensive review of the current state of the trail network enabled local governments to learn where critical improvements need to be made to ensure easy passage for commuters. The TMA looked at the entire region, not just an individual municipality or county, and has made possible greater access and easier movement for a large region of the state.
Resources
www.bike2015plan.org
The Bike 2015 Plan is the City of Chicago’s vision to make bicycling an integral part of daily life in Chicago. The plan recommends projects, programs and policies for the next 10 years to encourage use of this practical, non-polluting and affordable mode of transportation
www.biketraffic.org
Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has a mission to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in the region
www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org
The Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is an awards program that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling
www.bicyclinginfo.org
The Pedestrian and Bicycling Information Center is a clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement and access and mobility
