Trenton's Bike Culture is as diverse as the residents
Trenton Cycling Revolution is a non-profit that advocates for biking and pedestrian activity
We also have a give-away happening Monday November 2, 2020.
BICYCLE FACE
Written and performed by Hannah Van Sciver
https://www.hannahvansciver.com/bicycle-face.html
On Sunday February 17th 2019 I attended the performance of Bicycle Face at Passage Theatre.
Trenton Cycling Revolution aka TCR coordinated a group rate and several members of the advocacy group rode bikes to the one person performance.
The full house was delighted by the efforts of Hannah Van Sciver who portrayed 3 characters each representing one of the following years; 1896, 2016 and 2136.
I was unfamiliar with the term "bicycle face" prior to the performance and appreciate the delivery of information from Hannah. With fine timing and consistent energy Hannah addressed bits of history regarding women and biking.
The ~50 minute performance finished with a Q and A session.
Trenton has a thriving biking culture with several residents using bicycles as a form of transportation. In addition many people making up the diverse population of Trenton utilize biking for recreational, fitness and networking opportunities.
https://www.trentoncycling.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_face
https://www.vox.com/2014/7/8/5880931/the-19th-century-health-scare-that-told-women-to-worry-about-bicycle
Several efforts are happening to promote biking in Trenton such as tours, bike lanes, parking areas and maintenance sites however we have a ways to go educating the masses about safety and infrastructure upgrades.
On Sunday July 9th, 2017 nine riders of various levels met in Downtown Trenton NJ at Mill Hill Park to start the planning process for the 2017 version of the Bike Tour of Trenton presented by the Trenton Cycling Revolution.
Trenton Cycling Revolution - TCR is a Biking advocacy organization with over 2 decades of service to New Jersey's Capital City. As per the website the mission and goals are described as;
Trenton Cycling Revolution - TCR is a Biking advocacy organization with over 2 decades of service to New Jersey's Capital City. As per the website the mission and goals are described as;
"To create a safe and healthy environment
for bicyclists in Greater Trenton
through education, engagement,
advocacy and promotion."
for bicyclists in Greater Trenton
through education, engagement,
advocacy and promotion."
- Increase the number of people using bicycles as transportation.
- Create a safe environment for bicyclists.
- Provide security for bicycles.
- Improve the quality of the environment.
- Increase linkages between bicyclists, pedestrians and users of public transportation.
- Improve the health of individuals and families by providing opportunities for recreation.
- Provide opportunities for education and advocacy.
- Create a Master Plan for Bicycling.
- Pass a Complete Streets policy in Trenton.
2017 will mark the 21st ride presented by "TCR" which was founded by Lisa Kasabach. Chair Wills Kinsley is once again leading the ride themed "Holy Rollin" which will take participants throughout the 4 Wards of Trenton visiting some of the active Faith Centers and historic buildings.
This years ride will be a bit longer than previous rides with early estimates at 18-20 miles in length with a tentative date of early October.
Have a listen to some audio from previous TCR interviews on the Trenton 365 Show.
Have a look at some images from our scouting ride which included visits to several faith centers, coffee at Trenton Coffeehouse and Roaster and fruit break at St. Josephs.
This years National Bike To Work Week is May 15-19 and National Bike To Work Day is Friday May 19th.
This year I joined Jay Watson of the D&R Greenway Land Trust and several partnering organizations including Trenton Cycling Revolution and NJ Partnership for Healthy Kids to distribute cards in English and Spanish to encourage biking safety.
Have a listen to my chat with Jay captured at Trenton City Hall one of the distribution sites.
https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/jay-watson-d-and-r-greenway
I spent most of my time at the Trenton Transit Station where I met several people who were riding. Not everyone was wearing a helmet, some were riding on the sidewalks, most of the bikes were newer and in good condition, most didn't know about riding with the traffic and obeying traffic laws.
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-bike-to-work-day-third-friday-in-may/
A few images captured this week.
Trenton Cycling Revolution is a local Trenton organization dedicated to creating a safe and healthy environment for bicyclists and pedestrians in the greater Trenton area through education, advocacy and promotion. www.trentoncycling.org
2016 marked the 20th Anniversary of the TCR - Trenton Cycling Revolution Bike Tour of Trenton, aka Tour de Trenton.
This annual event was the idea of several people including Lisa Kasabach. The inaugural ride had a theme of TREES.
Chair Wills Kinsley and other committee members thought it would be good to revisit the orgs. history and theme this years ride around trees as well.
This year marked the first time the Tour de Trenton started and ended in the Fredrick Law Olmstead designed Franklin Park, located in the Capital City's South Ward.
This family friendly event attracted ~100 people from Trenton and beyond including some new friends from NYC.
The morning began with a welcome announcement and free coffee from Abdul Qadir of Trenton Coffeehouse and Roaster
The ride was escorted by several Trenton Police Officers on ATV's, bicycles and in traditional vehicles as well as TCR Ride Marshals. The leisurely paced ride of ~15 miles gave riders many different views of the City including Riverview Cemetery, Route #29 Deck Park several neighborhoods, trails and the D & R Canal State Park Path.
SAG - Support and Gear was provided by Knapps Cyclery. Since 1944 Knapp's has been a fixture and staple as an elite bicycle retail and service shop.
The midway rest stop took place at Cadwalader Park, another Olmstead designed park in Trenton NJ.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadwalader_Park
Returning to Franklin Park, riders and park visitors were met by Saeed's Food Truck owned and operated by Trenton resident Saeed Farraj and his family.
Sticking with the theme of the ride we planted a Blue Spruce tree provided by the Isles Inc. a community development and environment organization based in Trenton NJ and the City of Trenton.
Biking in the Trenton NJ Region is growing and TCR has ambitious plans to keep the momentum going!
Have a listen to several of my chats with members of the biking community in the Trenton NJ Region.
https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/sets/biking-in-trenton-nj
Biking in Trenton 12/2013
For me growing up in Ewing a township of Trenton provided me
with lots of open space for exploration.
The mode of transportation/freedom was my bike. My first “ride” was actually a 3-wheeled
purple model that I used like a scooter.
I still remember ripping between the houses of my childhood home, my
great Aunt Maude and my Grandparents residences on Ewingville Road.
The first 2- wheeled model was from a Sears catalog shining
bright with a chrome frame dressed with burgundy and red graphics, I am sure
Darren Begg, Rich Scannella, Mark Calisti, and Glen Guida remember those
days. As I grew in exploration,
technique and size I found one of my first loves…. BMX. BMX provided us with a chance to compete,
explore and grow and to an extent our right of passage. I can still remember the days at our track in
the Nettletree development as well as ripping through the trails in
Hollowbrook. Just ask Walt Williams,
Vince Hall, Roman Jackson and Mike Rochester.
Several decades later I find things coming full circle as
they often do. I enjoy biking and find
anytime on my wheels a joy. Several in
the area are doing amazing things with 2 or more wheels.
This biking advocacy group with a 15 plus year history
continues to be at the forefront.
Trentontonian, Will “Wheels” Kinsley is flanking the system
with another way to showcase 2-wheeled transit.
Fabrication artist Kinsley is the pinnacle of the TALL bike movement in
the Trenton/Exit7A Region of NJ. Kinsley
also a member of the SAGE Coalition (www.sagecoalitionnj.com)
leads regular rides throughout Trenton focusing on the positives such as its rich
history art including architecture, nature and more. Recently on the Trenton365 Show Kinsley
shared that he expects biking to progress because of org. like Trenton Cycling
Revolution and the work he is doing partnering with others like Drew Glen, Nikki
Nalbone, Jeff Seward and the crew at Championship Sportsbar and his employer
the Boys and Girls Club with a bike exchange in the Capital Plaza Shopping
Center in Ewing.
One of the projects is the Holiday Bike Shop that recently
opened downtown. Visit the links for
some recent articles about Wills “Wheels” Kinsley and biking in Trenton.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej3RmlCf8Nk
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/11/its_wonderful_to_come_out_and_work_inmates_repair_bikes_in_trenton_sell_them_to_low-income_families.html