Bicycle safety programs expanded

TransOptions, the Transportation Management Association serving northwestern New Jersey, is now offering free bicycle safety classes to children at schools and community recreation facilities and commuters at employer sites. Requests to schedule free bicycle safety classes are being accepted on a first-come basis for dates through Sept. 15. To support the expanded offerings, five TransOptions employees recently passed the comprehensive Bike New York Traffic Safety 101 training class. Bicycle safety programs for children are available for summer programs at schools, camps and community recreation facilities. During the free training, children will learn safety skills including the importance of riding with a helmet, the proper way to start and stop on a bike, learning and using hand signals, sidewalk riding etiquette, the use of lights and bells and identification of the parts of a bicycle and their function. TransOptions offers a free bicycle safety presentation for employees at their place of employment. The program features proper bicycle equipment fitting, safety skills and the rules of the road. The free program is available as a Lunch and Learn session or it can be incorporated into employer meetings and events. Additionally, TransOptions and the Morris County Department of Transportation are hosting a Free Savvy Cyclist Traffic Skills class for bicycle riders over the age of 18. The all-day training will be held on June 5, at the Great Swamp Education Center in Chatham. Pre-registration is required. Participants can enroll at www.bikenewyork.org. To learn more about TransOptions’ bicycle safety programs visit transoptions.org, call 973-267-7600, or email jcaravella@transoptions.org or kevangelista@transoptions.org.