If you live or work in Morris, Sussex or Warren counties, or the suburban areas of Essex, Passaic and Union counties, TransOptions TMA is your Transportation Management Association (TMA). TransOptions delivers programs and services that improve mobility, the environment and overall quality of life in northwestern New Jersey. TransOptions works closely with students, school districts and community groups throughout northwest New Jersey on a variety of free, fun, and informative programs and projects. Whether it is coordinating special events such as the Walking School Bus or Bike-to-School Day, presenting in-class bicycle safety training programs or involving students in walkability studies, TransOptions staff provides the education and encouragement needed to foster the creation of livable, and safer communities.
Students participating in TransOptions’ very successful “Ready to Walk and Roll” program collaborate to create a model neighborhood while reviewing safety infrastructure and traffic signs. Their streetscape becomes the stage for an interactive, storytelling experience. A facilitator leads a “choose your own adventure” narrative about students walking and biking to school while students manipulate physical characters around the streetscape and identify safety hazards along the route. Students work together to decide the safest response and practice how to share the road with all users.
TransOptions has adapted the popular “Ready to Walk and Roll” program into a virtual program to accommodate a variety of learning situations. In the virtual program, a new “Ready to Walk and Roll” stop motion animation educational video allows viewers to follow two students on their walk and bike ride to school while they navigate a miniature streetscape and practice safe walking and bicycling behaviors while also getting exercise, helping to reduce traffic, and improve air quality. This adaptable model allows students learning together in their classroom or online at home to review common street signs, safe ways to approach intersections, and proper helmet fit. This virtual program can be led with a live facilitator and is ideal for Kindergarten through 2nd graders. After participating in the program, students will be able to identify various safety hazards and determine the safest choices to make when walking or biking to school.
To learn more about the virtual “Ready to Walk and Roll” program or the many other programs offered by TransOptions TMA, be sure to visit their website https://www.transoptions.org/
If you don’t live or work in northwestern New Jersey don’t worry, there is a TMA in your area ready and willing to help you make your community safer for walking and bicycling. To find your TMA, visit https://www.saferoutesnj.org/find-your-srts-regional-coordinator/
