Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
On Sunday, September 26th more than 150 cyclists set out to take on the nearly 60-mile ride from Newark to the State Capital in Trenton. The long-distance ride was a display of support for the Essex-Hudson Greenway – a proposed 8.6-mile shared use path and active transportation (walking and biking) corridor that would be converted from the old Boonton rail line between Montclair and Jersey City. The Greenway would pass through eight towns in New Jersey and two of the most densely populated counties in the country bringing immense health, transportation, environmental and economic benefits to the northern New Jersey region, especially several overburdened and environmental justice communities.
Organized by Bike JC and the Newark Community Cycling Center and supported by the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition consisting of the Open Space Institute, 911 National Memorial Trail, and the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, members of several cycling groups from across the region participated in the Bike2Trenton including:
- Bike Hoboken
- Bike JC
- Bikes Will Save the World
- Major Taylor Cycling Club
- Morris Area Freewheelers
- Newark Community Cycling Center
- RBG Cyclist
- Sisters United Bike Club
- Trenton Cycling Revolution
- Trendsetta Cycling Clique
Bike2Trenton began at 7:00 a.m. at Newark City Hall and proceeded south through Elizabeth at Warinanco Park. The ride then continued through Bound Brook onto Princeton and finally paused at the William Trent House in Trenton. Once all riders reached the William Trent House, the group rode one final mile together to a support rally on the steps of the Statehouse. The peaceful rally, meant to be a show of support for this once-in-a-lifetime project, featured several speakers including:
- Patrick Conlon, President of Bike JC
- Jacque Howard, President of the Trenton Cycling Revolution
- Debra Kagan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition
- Yuki Moore Laurenti, Board of Trustees of the Open Space Institute
Cyclists gather for a group photo at Newark City Hall before beginning the 58-mile ride to Trenton.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Cyclists begin their ride from Newark City Hall.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Cyclists ride through Bound Brook, one of the first towns along the route.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Cyclists ride further towards Trenton after pausing for a break in Bound Brook.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Cyclists ride along Weston Canal Rd. in Somerset County.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Cyclists continue through Somerset County along the Delaware and Raritan Canal.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Cyclists arrive in Princeton.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Members of the RBG Cyclist bicycle club gather for a group photo at the William Trent House in Trenton.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Cyclists who road nearly 60 miles from Newark to Trenton in support of the Essex-Hudson Greenway project gather for a group photo at the William Trent House.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
More than 100 cyclists ride together to the Statehouse in Trenton.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
Cyclists gather for a support rally at the Statehouse in Trenton to urge Governor Murphy to prioritize funding the Essex-Hudson Greenway project.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition Executive Director, Debra Kagan, speaks at the support rally emphasizing the importance of the transformational Essex-Hudson Greenway Project and its potential to bring countless environmental, health, equity, transportation, and economic development benefits to the region.
Photo: Tony Turner Photography, courtesy of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition
The post Bike 2 Trenton: Over 150 Cyclists Participate in 58-Mile Cycling Event from Newark to Trenton appeared first on New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition.