NJ DOT Commissioner Diane Guttierrez-Scaccetti announces the release of the Model Complete Streets Policy and Guide. Due to being made available in the next few days on the NJDOT website.
Regional trail networks and Green Streets were some of the highlights of the 2019 NJ Bike and Walk Summit, which was held for the second year in a row at Mercer County Community College. The conference featured three breakout sessions one for each of the three Metropolitan Planning Organizations Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), North Jersey Transportation Planning Association (NJTPA), South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO).
For example, SJTPO is now conducting a survey to brand the developing network of trails in the four southernmost counties of the State.
Another hot topic was e-bikes.
Currently, e-bikes in NJ have the same classification as mopeds, requiring registration and a license to operate. However, the Department of Motor Vehicles will not register e-bikes. The New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition is working with New Jersey DOT and the State Legislature on developing legislation to legalize certain types of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Finally, while NJ DOT and advocates have successfully Complete Streets Policies in New Jersey the State Department of Transportation is about to release a Complete & Green Streets For All Model Complete Streets Policy and Guide. The Model Complete Streets Policy sharpens the focus on complete streets by:
- instituting Complete Streets policies;
- incorporating Green Streets and green infrastructure into Complete Streets projects; and,
- prioritizing health, equity and fairness in transportation expenditures and project selection.