Cycling is a fantastic transport method that offers riders various benefits. Besides being a great cardio workout, cycling can also provide users with an easy and sustainable way to get around town. However, concerns about safety and accessibility can often prevent individuals from pursuing this method of transportation. To help overcome these issues and obstacles, the City of Trenton and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Committee are putting together a bike plan to protect the safety and well-being of Trenton cyclists. But they can’t do it without your help!
The Our City: A Trenton Bike Plan for All survey is polling Trentonians about their experiences with biking in the city and what can be done to make cycling a more appealing method of transportation. Although this is a brief survey, your thoughts will be hugely consequential for future improvements and meeting the needs of cyclists. You can fill out the survey here: Bike Plan Survey. The survey is also available in Spanish here: La Encuesta en Español. Whether biking is your primary form of transport or you’ve never even considered biking through the city, your input is critical for bikers in the Capital City.
Research indicates that cycling offers users many benefits while providing a low-impact, easy way to get moving. Just a few of the improvements individuals can enjoy after regular cycling include:
- Increased cardiovascular fitness
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Strengthened bones and increased flexibility
- Improved posture and coordination
- Decreased stress levels
- Prevention and management of disease
Biking isn’t just good for you; it’s also great for the planet! Per the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation is the most significant contributor to greenhouse emissions in the United States. 29% of overall greenhouse emissions come from the economic sector, with over 58% of transportation-related emissions sourced from personal vehicles. However, cycling is one of the most sustainable methods of transportation around. Data notes that private vehicles emit a staggering 0.96 pounds of carbon per mile, and buses emit 0.64 pounds per mile. However, bikes only produce 0.07 pounds per mile, including the manufacturing of the cycle and the food or “fuel” needed for the rider.
With such impactful benefits, it’s no wonder that the City of Trenton has made cycling accessibility one of its major priorities. These efforts are being carried out in collaboration with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. DVRPC is a federally-designated advisory agency established via an Interstate Compact between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey. Their data-driven efforts help to make the Delaware Valley region a thriving community with a safe and modern transportation system.
If you’re interested in contributing to these efforts, fill out the Our Trenton survey linked above. Just a few minutes of your day can help transform our city for the better. So now, let’s put the pedal to the metal and get Trenton cycling!
