Newark’s neighbor, Harrison, could become a bike friendly town.
October 18, 2009 – 7:33 pm
Bike Advocacy Letter to the Mayor of Harrison, NJ, the location of the new 2010 Red Bull Soccer Stadium ( as well as lots of new car parking lots!)
Dear Mayor McDonough,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Harrison and as a member of the Brick City Bike Collective. I have lived in Harrison since May of 2006 and commute to work in New York City on the PATH. I plan on making Harrison my home for some time to come. In considering this investment, I write to ask for the incorporation of bicycle transportation in the town’s street plans.
One of the principal reasons I and others choose to reside in Harrison is the convenient access to public transportation to New York City. Biking from my home to the PATH station is an affordable and a quick way to cut down on my commute time and cost.
In the refurbishment of downtown Harrison, the creation of viable bike paths along main roads in town would encourage and facilitate bike use. Encouraging bike use is important as it is a form of transportation that cuts harmful emissions and helps to reduce vehicle congestion. Bike friendly policies and projects would benefit an ever expanding community and attract new residents as well as investors. Many people are becoming aware that biking is a great way to become intimate with a town and get exercise at the same time. In fact, Frank Rodgers Blvd in Harrison is already home to a portion of the East Coast Greenway, a bikeway running from Maine to Florida.
In addition to dedicated bike lanes, bike racks should be placed in well-lit, heavily trafficked areas, especially at the PATH. The sidewalk rails – currently used as an impromptu bike rack – do not provide enough space for the current bike commuters. Furthermore, some type of surveillance would be appropriate in the area around the PATH, to discourage bicycle theft and to increase public safety.
Adding bike paths and bike racks would make getting around town easier and more convenient and would in turn make Harrison a more attractive place for many commuters to call home. People would be encouraged to bike around town rather than drive and would increase foot traffic at local businesses. Bike friendliness is a major indicator of a town’s quality of life. The town of Harrison is at a crossroad in its development and has the potential to be a place where people feel safe and comfortable riding bikes for fun, fitness and transportation.
I hope that while redevelopment plans are in the works, current issues and needs will not take a back seat. We must take action now to improve the lives of town residents and to ensure future generations’ well-being. I applaud the Town of Harrison on several fronts and realize the tasks set before you are not easy to complete, but with diligence and planning, achievable.
Thank You,
Yarrow Willman-Cole
Advocacy Committee, Brick City Bike Collective
(thanks to Kyle and Monica for editing assistance 
)
Mystery bike
October 17, 2009 – 9:39 am
I saw the perfect bike today on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn between N4th & N5th St (Greenpoint). It has deep character, slim frame, beautiful lines, gorgeous color and no branding except “3rd Ward on the crossbar and “member” on the main stem. It’s a work of art that should be in a museum. And I gotta have one! If anyone recognizes it and has an idea where I can get one, please let me know… timtsoup at gmail dot….
My new flame .... a real Bedford beauty
Marie and Ryan’s Celebratory Wedding Ride
October 12, 2009 – 2:56 pm
Ryan and I got married on September 12 behind our house in Camp Alley (one of the few remaining brick alleys in Newark). Then we headed upstairs for afternoon tea with our guests, including food, drink, dancing, a cheesy poem contest, cupcakes, and fun. To celebrate even more, we hosted a celebratory bicycle ride.
We grabbed our tandem (purchased off Craigslist for $35 and fixed up complete with a sparkly “Just Married” sign), about 20 friends and family grabbed their bicycles, and the photographer hopped in front of the tricycle. We all met outside 407 Mulberry at 4pm. The ride departed at 4:30pm, heading across McCarter Highway and into the Ironbound. After a quick stop at the Murphy’s Varnish Building (a gorgeous yet contaminated building that is being torn down), we headed around the lot with the chickens (show chickens and roosters) and down Ferry Street (where it smelled of bbq-ed meat). We continued under Penn Station (ring ring ring) and rounded the corner of Market and Broad up towards Washington Park. Then past the cute abandon of Halsey Street and turned right up Hill Street. We should have been forewarned that Hill Street is named thus for a reason – as this is where the tandem’s chain could not hold both a bride and groom. Stopped in front of the beautiful Kruger-Scott mansion (the man who built it built one of Newark’s velodromes!) on MLK Boulevard with chain snapped in half, we decided to half-roll/half-hitch a ride home. Thanks Mike Christoff for the ride on the trike!
Overall, a super fun ride with lots of bell ringing and celebration. Lots of people on the streets and in cars turning their heads wondering “What is going on?” then cheering when they found out. No flat tires, a broken chain (luckily, close to home), and, after nap time, an after-party. Why is it that bicycle rides are so great for celebrating?
The mapped route can be found here.
- Having a moment in Camp Alley after saying "I do... no matter what."
- Riding down Camp Alley
- Waiting outside 407 Mulberry Street for the ride to depart.
- And we're off!
- Posing in front of the Murphy's Varnish building, soon to be torn down.
- At a red light.
- In the Ironbound somewhere.
- In the Ironbound somewhere.
- Away we go!
- Rounding the corner of Broad and Market.
- Down Ferry Street.
- Waiting at the light at Broad and Market, drinking some secret juice.
- And this is when the tandem's chain broke and we rolled home.
- And we got a ride for the last leg.
- In Lincoln Park.
- In Camp Calley
- In Camp Alley.
- Inside.
Bike Visibility in Newark
October 12, 2009 – 12:44 am
“Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”
The NJ Transit buses cannot run bikes off the road up here.
Nik Wallenda had the right idea.
The NEWark bike lane in the sky.
Tour of Newark Ready to Roll! – Oct. 17
October 2, 2009 – 1:46 pm
After some confusion and cancellations, the city has confirmed that the Bicycle Tour of Newark ‘09 is on for October 17th. The name’s been translated from last time, but the promise is the same: a fantastic day out on our streets of Newark.
This is a great opportunity to see the city from the street level and with the ease and comfort of a closed route. The event will feature a 3.5 mile family fun ride and a 25 mile tour of the city. Get there early for a bike check to be sure everything is in order and ready for the 25 miles of ground. There’ll also be free helmets and t-shirts while the supplies last (so, early, early early!).
The Tour is being organized by Team Newark, and is co-sponsored by Mayor Cory Booker and the Newark Municipal Council and The Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
Registration starts at the just-getting-light hour of 7:30am, with the rides starting at 9am. For more info and registration go here. And, indeed, it is FREE!
It’s gonna be a hoot, folks, and BCBC will be representing at the start and finish. I already volunteered and hope to see y’all on the Tour!
First Friday Ride:: October 2nd edition
October 1, 2009 – 8:34 am
It’s already October, and it’s already the first friday in October. This means that you should be all set to join us at Beaver St. in downtown Newark, 7pm, for the monthly Brick City Bike Collective ride!
We venturing north and across the river (!) this month, thanks to a stellar route by BCBC member Ryan.
So come along and let people see that riding a bike is safe, feasible, efficient and fun!
As always, bring a your helmet, lights and a lock. See you Friday -
Safety, Fun and Free Helmets!
September 30, 2009 – 2:21 pm
Volunteers needed! October 17, Newark’s first Bike Rodeo will be held in conjunction with the Tour de Newark bike race. Sponsored by Brick City Bike Collective, Meadowlink, and the Newark Department of Recreation, the Bike Rodeo will be an action packed opportunity for kids to learn the rules of 
the road, hone some bike riding skills for navigating Newark streets and get fit with a free helmet!
The Tour de Newark begins at 9am with a speach from Cory Booker, followed by a secondary “Family Race” kickoff. Around 10am, the kids head to the rodeo at Green Street, which the City has closed for the day. League Certified Instructor Jen Laurita will be leading 50 Newark youth in a series of bike checks, a helmet fitting, and a road skills course. Brick City Bike Collective will be leading several activities including bike trivia, team games, spoke-card making, and a short ride.
It promises to be a great event, but we need your help! Come and volunteer with us on Saturday, October 17. Any hours you can spare between 9:30 am and 2pm would be greatly appreciated.
To volunteer, contact BCBC at brickcitybikecollective@gmail.com or 973.559.6179.
To register your child, contact the Newark Department of Recreation at 973.733.5378
Upcoming Events: Repair Day, Bike Rodeo & more!
September 16, 2009 – 7:13 pm
On the Lincoln Highway from BCBC's ride to Jersey City on 9/13
This Sunday, September 20th, is bike repair day in Lincoln Park, followed by a group ride. Come out to the park, enjoy the cooling weather and fix up your bike! We’ll be on hand to help you out or let you use our tools. Look for us between 2pm and 4. Free, of course!
And remember, Repair Day in the Park happens every third Sunday of the month.
Save the Date:
October 17, Newark’s first Bike Rodeo will be held, location and time TBA. Sponsored by the NJ Department of Transportation and Newark Department of Recreation with the help of Meadowlink and BCBC, the Bike Rodeo will be an action packed opportunity for kids to learn the rules of the road, hone some bike riding skills for navigating Newark streets and get fit with a free helmet! Stay tuned for more info-
BCBC October ride: 10/2. Come ride with us as we take a tour of the city on one of our regular “first friday” rides! We meet at 7pm on Beaver St, in downtown Newark.
Finally, check back for Halloween rides and events. It’s true – it’s right around the corner.
Working group meetings schedule change
September 16, 2009 – 12:13 pm
Last week we agreed to switch to an every-other-week schedule for the working group meetings.
Therefor, there will be no meeting at Index tonight. Next meeting at Index will be 09/23.
Newcomers, contact brickcitybikecollective at gmail.com to find out how you can get involved. Or come to one of our meetings or events posted on this site!
