TransOptions Newsletter

Help us congratulate Judy Bortman as she retires in June, read more about grant opportunities for municipalities, Bike Month celebrations and more!

Educational resources, virtual lunch & learns, updates from local bike shops & much more!

How to teach your child to ride a bicycle, online resources, safety tips and much more!

Read about our latest updates, work from home tips, free online educational tools and much more!

Read about commuter tax benefits, Vehicle Safety Recalls Week and more! 

Valentine's Weekend date ideas on bike, Learn to Ride season updates, biking news around the world and more!

Read about our Street Smart Morristown final report, 10 Winter Walking Safety Tips, Junior Solar Sprints updates and more!

Read more about our Hydrogen Car Challenge, Winter Walk to School Days and much more!

9 Great Holiday Gifts for Cyclists & Much More in Our Latest Bike Right Newsletter!

Read about Street Smart Pompton Lakes, Thanksgiving travel tips, volunteer opportunities and much more!

Our Go Smart with TransOptions, October 2019 Newsletter is out! Read about Street Smart Pompton Lakes, Halloween safety tips and so much more!

Read more about TripSwitch news, our Bike Rack Pop-Ups, Learn to Ride season updates and more!

Read the latest about Street Smart Madison, Walk to Win, upcoming Bike Right classes and much more!

Click here to read more about Labor Day weekend safety tips, our upcoming Walk to Win challenge, ways to beat the back to school traffic and more!

Read the latest about our pedestrian safety program in Morristown, our new Air Quality education programs and much more!

Click here to read more about the current pedestrian safety campaign in Morristown, safety tips for the summer, the upcoming New Jersey Smart Workplace deadline and more!

Read more about our pedestrian safety campaign in Morristown, Bike To Work Challenge updates, Junior Solar Sprints results and much more!

Check out video interviews with Bike To Work participants, read updates about our upcoming Junior Solar Sprints races, learn about NJ's Walk/Bike To School Month and much more! 

Click here to read more about our Bike to Work Challenge, Learn to Ride classes, biking news around the world and more!

In this latest Go Smart read about our upcoming Bike To Work Challenge and updates to the GoForGood app, Distracted Driving Awareness Month and much more! 

Read about a fun volunteer opportunity, a new driving safety program and much more!

Read about bike share, free Learn to Rides, biking news around the world & more!

Click here to learn more about JSS preparations, a sweet & unique Valentine's Day gift idea, an update on bike share outreach efforts and more!

Click here to read more about our recent Hydrogen Car Challenge, take our bike share survey, get winter safety tips and much more!

Click here to learn more about the coming bike share program, an update on our bike education classes and more!

Click here to read more about a helpful holiday gift idea, what to include in your car's emergency kit, the latest Street Smart report released and much more!

Read about Street Smart updates, TripSwitch winners, upcoming bikeshare, our GIving Tuesday fundraiser and more!

Bike share coming to our area, TripSwitch updates and more!

Click here to read about our recent Annual Recognition Breakfast, how you can #SwitchTheTrip, bike share coming to the area and more! 

Read on about back to school safety tips, Street Smart New Providence results, bike share sponsorship opportunities & more! 

Bike share sponsorship opportunity, TripSwitch coming up, biking news around the world & more!

Click here to learn more about a bike share sponsorship opportunity, how to prevent heatstroke, meet our newest staff members and more! 

Read this month's edition of Go Smart! for all the latest info on the conclusion of the Street Smart Newton campaign, summer safety tips, our Corporate Cycling Advocate: Thorlabs, and more! 

Click here to read about Junior Solar Sprints results, our upcoming Poker Ride/Walk in Morristown, Street Smart in Newton and much more! 

Street Smart launches in New Providence, Rides for Seniors to celebrate one year anniversary, Bike To Work Challenge registration info and more! 

Bike To Work Registration Opens Soon, Free Learn To Rides, 15 Ways You Can Go Green For Earth Day & More! 

New AAA study on drowsy driving, local crossing guards celebrated, upcoming Bike To Work Challenge info and more!

Bike To Work Challenge news, best tech for cyclists from CES 2018, biking news around the world and more!

How to Make 2018 Your Best Year Yet, Street Smart Boonton Results, Vanpool Spotlight and More!

Read about 10 New Year's resolutions you can start today, an interview with our retiring president, our H2 Challenge and more!

Thanksgiving Travel Tips, Street Smart Boonton Updates & Much More!

Read on about Street Smart Boonton updates, 17 safety tips for a safe & spooktacular Halloween and more!

Click here to read more about today's Annual Recognition Breakfast, an important Rides for Seniors update, fall driving safety tips and more!

Click here to read more about back to school driving tips, our featured speaker at our upcoming Annual Breakfast and more!

Read on about the upcoming Gran Fondo NJ, 10 family-friendly bike rides in NJ, biking news around the world and more!

Click here to read more about increasing drowsy driving risks, an employer spotlight on ShopRite of Greater Morristown, Safe Routes to School program activities and more!

Click here to read more about commuter alternatives during the Amtrak repairs at NY Penn Station, Rides for Seniors program updates, 10 Summer Safety Tips and more!

Click here to learn more about the results of our Bike To Work Challenge, upcoming Learn to Ride classes, biking news around the world and more!

Learn more about the results of Junior Solar Sprints, a wrap-up of our spring Street Smart campaigns, updates on NJ Transit service disruptions and more!

Learn more about our Bike To Work Challenge, biking news around the world and more!

Learn more about Street Smart coming to Dover, our upcoming Bike To Work Challenge, 4 ways you can make earth day every day, and more!

Learn more about an exciting and local on-demand senior transportation program, Street Smart's return to Morristown, upcoming Safe Routes to School programs and more!

Learn more about the results of our pedestrian safety campaign in Summit, our brand new Safe Routes to School program, 10 tips so you can stay safe this winter and more!

TransOptions Celebrated 10 Years of H2, A Year In Review: What We Are Thankful For!, Record-Breaking Number of Travelers This Holiday Season and more!

President John F. Ciaffone Celebrates 17 Years with TransOptions, Fund a Kit, Fund a Kid Today!, 10 Safety Tips for the Busiest Thanksgiving Rush Since 2007 and more!

How You Can #OptOutside For Black Friday, TransOptions Listed Among 14 Others Across U.S. for Adult Learn to Ride Classes, Winter Bicycling and How to Enjoy It, and more!

TransOptions Celebrates 30th Anniversary, New Jersey Smart Workplaces and Honorees at Annual Recognition Breakfast, Walk and Bike to School Day Becoming a Year-Long Effort and more!

Registration Now Open For TripSwitch, Summit Gets Street Smart, Share Your Transportation Experience for a Chance to Win a $100 Gift Card, and more!

This Weekend Is All About Gran Fondo NJ, 11 Tips to Keep You Safe This Fall, Biking News Around the World, and more!

Share Your Transportation Experience for a Chance to Win a $100 Gift Card, "Uncle Floyd" to Perform at Annual Recognition Breakfast, Roadway Deaths on the Rise and more!

5 Ways You Can Beat the Heat on Your Bike, Keeping You Safe During the "100 Deadliest Days", Biking News Around the World and more!

Bike To Work Challenge Registration Opens, Street Smart Efforts Continue In Morristown, TransOptions Assists Crum and Forster, and more!

TransOptions remembers Arthur Ondish, Street Smart kicks off in Morristown, GlaxoSmithKline relocates to Warren, NJ and more!

Summer driving is dangerous? It’s not what we’d expect. After the days of cold and inclement  weather we had last winter, it seemed like dangerous driving conditions were behind us.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, July 2012 had 3,126 motor vehicle crashes involving fataltities, the highest number of fatal car accidents of any month during that year.  ...

Written by Wendy Berk, Public Education Coordinator with Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey
The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, along with Rider Insurance, has created a motorcycle safety campaign to help raise awareness among motorists about the need to share the road with motorcyclists. As part of our campaign, we’re asking drivers to visit our website, www.njsmartdrivers....

Check the air in your tires and oil up those chains because May 7this National Bike to School Day! TransOptions is gearing up with schools all around Northwestern New Jersey to encourage biking to school throughout the rest of the school year. If your child does not own a bike, we encourage walking to school instead!
Last year, TransOptions held an awesome Bike to School Day and Bik...

In the spring of 2013, Coty, the international fragrance company located at the Lighthouse Properties on The American Road in Morris Plains, chose to consolidate their two offices and expand their facilities to locate their North American Research and Development headquarters to Morris Plains.
Coty renovated the #500 building, relocating employees from Tucson, Arizona and Geneva Swi...

Morris County Economic Development Corporation recently launched its new website, which aims to simplify the process of starting, growing, or relocating a business to Morris County. The user-friendly site uses “live, work, play” buttons to assist those who have questions on incentive opportunities available in New Jersey, as well as those seeking demographic information on Morri...

Be Part of the 8 Percent!
As 2014 gets under way, thoughts of fulfilling your New Year’s Resolutions may already be fading. A University of Scranton study estimates that 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions but just 8 percent of people achieve their New Year's goals.
Commuters, TransOptions can help you be part of the 8 percent and feel a sense of accomplishment a...

Give Your Commute a "Time Out"
Super Bowl XLVIII will be played on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. That may lure you into thinking that your normal commute and local roadways will be immune from the impact of the BIG GAME. Think again!
It’s estimated that over 400,000 people will attend game-related events and activities scheduled at multiple venues...

Long-time Junior Solar Sprints and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Model Car Challenge Volunteer Henry VanDyke has been recognized by Volunteer Management Centers, Inc. as an exemplary volunteer.
VMC included this great piece on Henry as part of their 40th anniversary celebration dinner:
Now in his late seventies, Henry VanDyke is a retired colonel in the US Army and electrical engineer who spen...

Knowing how to react can help you avoid a collision!
It's deer breeding season, the time of year when they're on the move and deer/vehicle collisions are more likely to occur. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk which is also the time of day it's harder to see them.
According to the North Jersey Deer Crash Coalition, there are approximately 7,000 reported deer/vehicle crashes in t...

It was a busy, yet successful Walk to School season in Northwestern New Jersey as TransOptions nearly doubled its amount of Walk to School Days from last year across four counties.
TransOptions’ Safe Routes to School program continued its ongoing programming among five schools within the School District of the Chatham’s, Central Avenue School in Madison, Netcong Elementary Schoo...

Costumes, candy and distracted pedestrians walking in the dark are all part of the brew on Halloween night. While enjoying the excitement of trick-or-treating, you’re also four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
Here are some tips to help you and those you are with stay safe while trick-or-treating on Ha...

Say you’re driving while talking on your cell phone. We all know that  no matter the subject, your phone call is a matter of life and death. When you’re maneuvering a ton of steel, flesh and flammable fuel down the highway, talking on a phone quadruples the risk of an accident. That danger isn't diminished if you’re using your phone hands-free. It’s the conversation, not th...

In celebration of this year’s Walk This Way Challenge we are making a walking playlist of our favorite walking songs! Many artists and songwriters have made walking the topic of famous hits throughout the decades and this year we are dedicating them to our Walk This Way walkers! Our playlist of walking theme songs is for all ages and generations featuring tunes from the 1950s to t...

Summer is the ideal time to walk outside.  Whether you’re crossing Abby Road or your local road, it’s where you cross that matters.  Remember to cross at the crosswalk.  It’s where pedestrians can cross safely and best be seen by motorists.
Pedestrians Have the Right of Way at Crosswalks!

On New Jersey roads, pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks. New Jersey la...

You may not realize, but ridesharing has been made famous in movies and T.V.! That is why TransOptions is counting down our 10 favorite rideshare moments in cinema and television! We know not all the characters that made the countdown are riding to work, but they are sharing a ride and using one car (or spaceship) to get to their destination. See if your favorite ridesharing charact...

AAA Foundation Study Looks at Why Teens Are Delaying Rite of Passage

FLORHAM PARK, NJ, August 1, 2013 – The majority of American teens today delay getting a driver’s license, according to new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Less than half (44 percent) of teens surveyed obtained a driver’s license within 12 months of the minimum age for licensing in their sta...

May is always a busy month for walking to school, as the temperatures rise and the jackets come off. This May was no different. TransOptions worked with a number of schools in the area that have a high walking population by sponsoring their Walk to School Days. We set up at the main entrance of each school to reward walkers with fun, free and educational items such as bookmarks, sti...

Shuttle Service Adds a Transit Option in the Borough of Madison
By Judy Bortman, TransOptions Marketing Specialist
This article originally appeared in in the Spring 2013 ANJEC Report.
Sustainable transportation is thriving and growing in the Borough of Madison. This charming, cosmopolitan and environmentally-friendly university town in northwestern New Jersey has been implementing a...

From May 27th to June 7th, TransOptions encouraged everyone to "Be Thumbody," raising awareness of distracted driving and reminding drivers to keep their hands (and thumbs) on the wheel at all times.
Over the two weeks, we featured a number of colorful characters on our Facebook page. We shared photos of our decorated thumbs with a human face, and encouraged our followers to do the ...

Spring has finally arrived and we’re ready to be outside. While walking or driving in your neighborhood or anywhere throughout New Jersey, you may encounter the Stop and Stay Stopped for Pedestrians sign. 
Some motorists and pedestrians know what the colorful sign posted in the crosswalk means. Others, regrettably, ignore it. With many people out and about, we’re spreading the ...

By Anne Vivino
Are you up for a challenge?
Distracted driving affects each and every one of us.  It’s happening everyday on our roads, it’s the person in front of you, in back of you, and to either side of you…and dare I say it? Sometimes it is YOU and even ME!
Distracted driving consists of anything that diverts your eyes, hands and your mind from the road. We are all very b...

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but safe driving is a year-round necessity. The following smartphone apps can help you focus on the road and not on your phone. Try them out yourself to see which one is best for you.
.

Textecution
-available for Android
If you need your distractions eliminated completely, this app is for you. When Textecution determines that the user is...

TransOptions Can Even Help the Small Workplace
In mid-November, the small Pine Brook worksite of Samsung QA Lab America contacted TransOptions because staff members were exploring options to get to work in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. They already had staff who carpooled, but were searching for other resources to address gas rationing, including partnering with their larger wor...

The announcement that Yahoo would shift away from their telework policy to require more in-office time spurred a national discussion. Soon after the Yahoo decision, Best Buy followed suit.
As technology improvements make out-of-office communications seamless while arguably increasing productivity, why are these companies ditching the work-from-home approach for an old-school 9 to 5?...

As part of a package of 35 grants in New Jersey’s Local Aid Program totaling nearly $6.8 million, the Christie Administration has announced 25 federally funded Safe Routes to School Grants totaling $5.7 million for sidewalk, intersection, crosswalk and other improvements to help children remain safe as they walk or ride bicycles to and from school.
A complete list of recipients c...

Educating their employees on transportation alternatives as part of the business of caring. 
Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. Their world-class facilities feature state-of-the-art equipment in a comfortable, family-friendly environment that puts patients first, as demo...

Volunteer with TransOptions at one of our Junior Solar Sprints races! Middle school students spend months designing, building and testing solar-powered model cars and the best of the best participate in TransOptions' races. There are several events spread out over the second and third weeks of May. Every race day is a fun-filled experience for everyone involved, as students show off...

Congratulations to Shirley Stewart of AAA New Jersey Automobile Club in Florham Park who received a $50 gas card from TransOptions. Shirley’s name was selected in a drawing for participants in TransOptions’ Test Your Carpool I.Q. Quiz. 
The quiz tested commuters’ knowledge about the benefits and flexibility of carpooling including: 
Only two people required to form a carpool...

Realogy Plans Relocation Transportation planning as part of the big move! 
Realogy Holdings Corporation is a global leader in providing real estate, relocation, and title and settlement services. Brands and franchising include Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker Commercial®, The Corcoran Group®, ERA®, Sotheby's International R...

State-Wide Employer Program Supports Sustainable Transportation
It's FREE.  It's prestigious. It says your company has know-how.
What is New Jersey Smart Workplaces?

NJ Smart Workplaces (NJSW) is a prestigious recognition earned by employers that offer sustainable commuter programs to their employees. TransOptions hosts the free award program for employers throughout Northwest ...

TransOptions will hold two Junior Solar Sprints workshops for teachers and mentors this month. On Monday, January 14, a workshop will be held at the Kingwood Elementary School, near Frenchtown (Hunterdon County), from noon to 4 p.m.
On Wednesday, January 16, another workshop will be held at TransOptions at 2 Ridgedale Ave. in Cedar Knolls (Morris County), from noon to 4 p.m. The ag...

Looking for that last minute gift for your bike riding friend or loved one? Rent a NJ Transit Bike Locker!
A NJ Transit bike locker will not only protect your bike commuter’s bike from being vandalized or stolen, but they are also a great way to keep your bike dry and protected during inclement weather.
At 6.5 feet long and over 3 feet wide, each bike locker can comfortably fit a...

Winter is the season that tests our diving ability on challenging road conditions. Being prepared helps you stay safe.
Follow these basic safety steps to keep this season safe for you and your passengers.

Clean off your car entirely.  It’s New Jersey Law!
Remove all snow and ice from your vehicle before you start driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof.  Snow can sl...

By Anne Vivino
On Saturday, October 28, 2012, the news was everywhere that we must begin preparing for Hurricane Sandy. I had been watching the Weather Channel all morning and decided that I had better start making my grocery list of emergency items. As I was doing this, I decided to call the hurricane expert, my mom. As a Floridian, I knew that she would know exactly what we should...

Hundreds of northwestern New Jersey pedestrians, from kids to seniors, were out and about during October for the second annual TransOptions’ Walk This Way Challenge. They walked at their own pace, when and where they chose, collectively logging over 8,000 miles. The free month-long event was created to increase awareness of safe walking habits and encourage walking as transportati...

Just Wild about that MAD Shuttle! 
Located in Morristown, The College of St. Elizabeth (CSE) was established by the Sisters of Charity in 1899 as the state's first four-year Catholic college for women and now includes impressive Continuing Education and Graduate programs for women and men, with over 500 part-time undergraduate, 650 full-time undergraduate, and 300 graduate students...

Hurricane Sandy has created a variety of challenges for pedestrians. Many sidewalks and trails are strewn with debris making walking a challenge and potentially dangerous. Tree limbs and post-storm remnants are piling up on streets making it necessary to skirt around sidewalk obstacles until they can be removed. Stay away from fallen telephone poles and wires; they may be live.
Alo...

While costumed children are trick-or-treating on Halloween, their risk of being injured by motorists is significantly greater than on other nights. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year. 
"Children, their parents and motorists are Sharing the Road ...

Attention Walk this Way Challenge participants! You can still be eligible for prize drawings from this year's Challenge. You have until October 31, 2012 to qualify to win a $25 or $50 gift card by walking and logging your miles.
Hundreds of northwest New Jersey commuters and residents, from kids to seniors, are participating this year as individuals and as teams. The Walk This Way C...

Fall ushers in changing road and driving conditions. Some safety tips to keep in mind:
Daylight Savings
Daylight hours get shorter as we approach the end of daylight saving time on November 4, 2012. Be extra diligent of pedestrians and cyclists, especially in the morning and early evening when visibility is limited.
Deer Season Begins
Studies from the Department of Environmental Pro...

Going Carfree for a Day was the challenge presented to motorists by TransOptions during September. Commuters and residents alike were encouraged to use alternative transportation on a day of their choosing to honor World Carfree day that occurs annually on September 22nd. 
"This is such a great idea," shared one commuter who biked 45 miles instead of driving. "Hopefully tons of peo...

Over the last few months, we have highlighted three NJ Smart Workplaces, Avis Budget Group, Wyndham Worldwide, and Alcoa, employers who found it easy and beneficial to work with TransOptions and complete the New Jersey Smart Workplaces nomination form. 
Does your company conduct an Employee Benefits Fair? A Health & Wellness Event? Just by contacting TransOptions and allowing us to...

With the new transportation law, MAP-21, a new focus on performance measures was adopted. The US Department of Transportation has been tasked with developing standards on which to measure success. What measures do you think should be considered to track our performance?
The DOT's website allows members of the public and of the transportation community to contribute ideas and vote fo...

At their world headquarters in Parsippany, NJ, Avis Budget Group takes seriously their commitment to the environment. According to their 2012 Global Environmental Initiatives Report, significant efforts have been made to reduce, reuse and recycle to protect our natural resources. 
Part of that effort includes teaming up with TransOptions. TransOptions conducted an on-site for emplo...

It is an exciting time of year with many new adventures on the horizon! Whether you have a student entering Kindergarten or off to college, it is always an emotional time. It is also a busy time, the traffic has returned, students are walking or biking to school, there are buses on the road and many parents are dropping kids off at school. There is a lot of potential for distraction...

Look Twice. Save a Life.
By Anne Vivino
Motorcycle crashes are on the rise in Sussex County, with the latest crash and subsequent fatality, occurring last week in Frankford. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, the majority of the previous crashes were between cars and motorcycles. Just this past weekend, while driving on Route 23 in Wayne, I was witness to a c...

TransOptions recently launched a program called Driving Safety for Mature Drivers. The purpose of the program is to inform and educate the aging drivers of Northwestern NJ. Some of the topics covered in this program are vision and hearing changes, night driving, fine-tuning driving habits, planning before driving, staying sharp on the road, distractions and other risks mature driver...

One big piece of the MAP-21 puzzle for organizations involved in bicycle and pedestrian programs is Transportation Alternatives. This new section combines existing biking and walking programs, Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails into one program. States can still fund biking and walking infrastructure under the TA program. Eligibility for muse...

OverviewMAP-21, the latest transportation law passed by Congress, is a 27-month reauthorization bill. It authorizes the Highway Trust Fund and surface transportation programs at current funding levels through September 30, 2014.
The $105 billion law consolidates the number of highway programs, streamlines the project review process, implements performance measures for the first time...

New Jersey was awarded nearly $2.5 million in federal funding. $500,000 was issued to install identification signs along the seven designated New Jersey byways and nearly $300,000 was awarded to create pedestrian and bicycle linkages across Interstate 280 and its frontage streets in Orange.
Not to be out done by the Federal Government, the State of New Jersey also announced that $3 ...

If you've ever considered carpooling, now is the time. TransOptions is encouraging northwestern New Jersey commuters to try carpooling this fall by introducing a free incentive program, It Pays to Carpool.
Three $100 gas cards will be awarded in a drawing for registered participants who carpool 15 days or more from September 4 to November 30, 2012. New and existing carpool riders w...

Alcoa Raises Sustainability Bar
The Alcoa Power and Propulsion plant in Dover, NJ teamed up with the Alcoa Foundation and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) to launch Make an Impact on August 7th, 2012, an event featuring a presentation and activities for each shift of the site’s nearly 800 employees. Make an Impact is an event to provide employees with the knowled...

TransOptions is challenging motorists to go “carfree” on a day of their choosing during September 2012 to honor Carfree Day.
The northwest New Jersey Transportation Management Association is incenting commuters and residents to give up using their car for one day by hosting a "Go Carfree for a Day" online pledge. Instead of driving to work, school or for personal trips, motorist...

TransOptions is proud to announce its nomination of Pam Fischer, of Pam Fischer Consulting, for the National Safety Council’s Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award. Our colleague and friend, Pam has been working to prevent motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities on New Jersey roadways for the past 25 years.
In her most recent role as leader of the New Jersey Safe Teen Drivin...

TransOptions Grows Ridership 20%
Over 550 commuters in northwest New Jersey are riding to work in vanpools arranged by TransOptions. Ridership is up 20% in the last year in this financially attractive transportation option for a group of five or more co-workers traveling 30 miles or more each way. In addition to reducing the cost of their commute, vanpool riders reduced the amount o...

The first Wednesday of every October, parents and students throughout America join millions around the world who are improving their health, their community and having a ton of fun by walking and biking to school together. There are a number of reasons why we should walk or bike to school. Walking and Biking to school promotes safety in your community, replaces car trips to school w...

"Bike Aboard" NJTransitWe have said it before and we’ll say it again: bikes and transit just seem to be made for each other. And now NJ Transit has made this exceptional relationship even stronger with their newly revised "Bike Aboard" program!
Over the past year, NJ Transit and bike advocates from around the state have been meeting to discuss their policy regarding bikes boardin...

Summer brings sun, fun and increased recreational driving. Be certain your vehicle is ready for warm weather:

Check the level and strength of the coolant. 
A low coolant level may allow your engine to overheat.
Check the air conditioner.
Make certain the air conditioner blows cold air. If not, the refrigerant charge may be low. Check the system for leaks before adding refrigerant...

Along with warmer temperatures, summer is the season for Air Quality Alert Days when high ground-level ozone (smog) is anticipated.
Elevated ozone levels cause health problems, especially for children, senior citizens and people with respiratory diseases. It's wise to cut back on driving and reschedule strenuous activities when Air Quality Alert Days are forecast.
Sign up to receive...

MAP-21 Signed Into LawOn Friday, July 6, President Obama signed the new transportation bill, MAP-21, into law. His signature came 1,010 days after the previous transportation law, SAFETEA-LU, first expired. On a macro level, the legislation sets aside funding for transportation projects throughout the country for the next two years, giving state departments of transportation a great...

Environmental Programs Manager Joseph Caravella was recently named President Elect for the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE). He will assume the duties of President of ANJEE July 1, 2013 and be responsible for running the organization and ANJEE's annual Environmental Education Conference. ANJEE was established in 1985 to provide a networking forum for New Jerse...

Be sure to visit www.100carsforgood.com on July 15 to vote for us!
TransOptions is proud to have been selected as a finalist in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Program.
Toyota's 100 Cars for Good is a major, national philanthropy program in which the automaker is giving away 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days. Winners will be selected each day through public voti...

Employer Spotlight: Wyndham Worldwide In May, Wyndham Worldwide corporate headquarters provided a Health and Wellness Fair to over 875 Parsippany-based employees and TransOptions was there! Hundreds of employees were made aware of TransOptions, our ridesharing program and the latest transit schedules, as well as a wealth of safe bicycling, walking and driving tips.
For 2012, Wyndha...

New Jersey is recognized as having one of the most progressive Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws in the nation.  In fact, since the law took effect in 2001 there has been a 50% drop in fatalities involving teen drivers, but there is more that needs to be done.  The New Jersey Teen Safe Driving coalition members, including TransOptions, continue to educate parents and teens on an...

Ed, Mona and Paul know first-hand that carpooling reduces the cost and stress of commuting. Compliments of TransOptions, they each received a $100 gas card as the three raffle winners of It Pays to Carpool, TransOptions recently concluded carpool incentive program.
If you’d like to find a carpool companion, start a carpool with a friend, spouse or co-worker or join an existing ca...

Federal Transportation Bill Update Congress remains in negotiations over the transportation bill as the June 30 deadline looms. The current extension of SAFETEA-LU, the federal transportation bill, is set to expire at the end of the month. The highway bill funds road and transit projects and authorizes the federal government to collect gas taxes, which total 18.4 cents-per-gallon. T...

As increasing numbers of bicyclists and pedestrians enjoy getting out of the house during spring, TransOptions offers a reminder about safety laws and suggestions while sharing the road.
Pedestrian Safety Law
Have you seen this sign? Do you know that New Jersey Law requires motorists to stop and stay stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks? Stopping for pedestrians waiting to cross i...

Over 200 people honored Earth Day by taking TransOptions' 2012 Green for a Day Survey. Participants pledged to complete earth-friendly and safety-related actions on a day of their choosing during the month of April.

“Stop distracted driving” by not texting or using a hand held or hands free phone was the transportation-related action pledged by over 51% of participants.
Learn m...

TransOptions has been selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program, a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 non-profits over the course of 100 days. TransOptions was selected as a finalist from more than 4,000 applications nationwide. 100 Cars for Good is the first initiative to directly engage the public ...

The Northwest New Jersey Bike to Work Challenge is a free, friendly competition where everyone from avid veteran commuters to newbies can get together to compete for prizes and bragging rights. That is because our big Champion Challenger prize winners compete through trips taken, not just miles traveled. Our goal is to encourage commuters to more frequently use a bike instead of a m...

Chatham Borough and Township residents can expect quieter streets during TransOptions' Walk and Bike to School week, April 23rd-27th.  All six public schools will be encouraging students to arrive at school by means other than a family vehicle. 
The event is seen as a pollution-reducing effort in celebration of Earth Day and also as part of a year-long effort by parents on the Cha...

$100 Gas Card Prizes Incents Commuters to Carpool 
There’s still time to join TransOptions’ carpool incentive program, It Pays to Carpool, and qualify to win a $100 gas card. It's free to join! 
Commuters working in northwestern New Jersey who join or start a carpool, and share a ride for 12 days from now until May 18, 2012, are eligible to win one of three $100 gas cards. Thr...

"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children."
- Ancient Indian Proverb


Join TransOptions to celebrate the 42nd Earth Day, April 22, 2012, by taking our Green for a Day online pledge. Registered participants quality to win a $100 gas card at a drawing held during the first week in May. 
We're encouraging northwest New Jers...

New Jersey Smart Workplaces (NJSW) is a free, prestigious, state-wide employer recognition program sponsored annually in northwestern New Jersey by TransOptions.
Last year, the ranks of qualified employers grew to 425. Would your company like to be part of this elite group?
Employers earn the NJSW designation by providing and promoting commute alternatives for their employees such...

At the end of March, Congress passed a three-month extension of the gas tax and transportation programs. The Senate had passed a new two-year transportation bill (MAP-21), but the House did not bring that bill up for a vote. MAP-21, as passed by the Senate, would fund some $109 billion dollars in transportation-related projects. The latest extension is the ninth since SAFETEA-LU (th...

Gas prices may have you down, but TransOptions now has a great new way for you to find out just how much you can save by changing your commuting habits. TransOptions’ Cost Calculator only requires you to enter in a couple of pieces of information--your daily commute miles round trip, the number of days per month you drive to work, and what size vehicle you use. With that alone, th...

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is a free lunch program! TransOptions offers a smorgasbord of free, interesting, educational presentations to northwest New Jersey employers.
Timely topics include Distracted Driving, Sharing the Road, Carpooling, Defensive Biking Skills and Cars of the Future Today. The programs are presented in an informal learning environment ...

After months of design and development, TransOptions unveils a new and more user-friendly website that is both functional and informational.
The website was built by the New Jersey-based web design company Lform and includes a number of new customized features that will assist not only commuters, but all residents of the area on a wide-range of transportation issues.
The new site i...

NEW Carpool Promotion Eases Pain at the Pump
$100 Gas Card Prizes Incentivize Commuters to Carpool
TransOptions is helping commuters ease their "pain at the pump" by launching a carpool incentive program called It Pays to Carpool. Commuters who join or start a carpool and share a ride for 12 days from March 1 to May 18, 2012, are eligible to win one of three $100 gas cards!
It's fre...

Help Employers Choose New Jersey!
Employers, realtors and developers know that relocating is costly, disruptive and time-consuming.
TransOptions has just developed two free relocation guides to facilitate moving to or expanding within northwestern New Jersey.
Employers Guide to Relocation
As an employer, you know that a transportation plan is vital to enhancing employee retention...

Make a plan, chart a route and run several errands in one car trip. Trip chaining, or combining multiple errands into one trip, will save you gas, money and time. Trip chaining can even make communities better by helping to reduce traffic congestion and lowering the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.
Trip chaining takes a little planning, but it’s easy to do. There are lots of w...

FREE State-Wide Employer Program 
Be Recognized for Supporting Sustainable Transportation 
What is NJ Smart Workplaces? 
NJ Smart Workplaces (NJSW) is a prestigious recognition earned by employers for offering outstanding commuter services to their employees. This free award program is sponsored by the Transportation Management Association Council of New Jersey (TMAC) and is impl...

Our 2nd annual Northwestern New Jersey Bike to Work Challenge is just around the corner! So mark your calendars and get your friends and coworkers ready because registration will open next month starting April 1st.
Our FREE, friendly online competition is a great way to introduce your friends and coworker to the fun of commuting by bike. The best part about the Challenge this year ...

It is very easy in the day-to-day of life to forget about or, rather, not acknowledge the risks involved in being on the road. Whether you are a driver, a pedestrian, a bicyclist or a motorcycle rider it is something we should never forget and we must remind ourselves every day!
As drivers, we face many obstacles on the road and driving distracted only adds to an already high risk;...

TransOptions advocates for and implements programs that make walking and biking around our neighborhoods and schools fun, easy, safe and healthy for all students and families while reducing our reliance on cars.
Below is a highlight of our recent accomplishments in the School District of the Chathams, where TransOptions has been working with all 6 public schools, which includes ove...

Join TransOptions to honor the 42nd Earth Day by taking our Green for a Day online pledge. We’re encouraging commuters, their friends and families to perform two earth-friendly, sustainable actions on any single day of their choosing during the month of April.
Green for a Day participants select one alternative transportation activity and one personal action from a variety of ear...

A new transportation bill (MAP-21), which would fund some $109 billion dollars in transportation-related projects, has passed the Senate by a vote of 74-22. In the House, Speaker John Boehner has said that bringing the Senate bill up for a vote would be an option upon its passage in the upper house. This comes on the heels of bipartisan objections to the transportation bill offered ...

The transit and commuter highway vehicle (vanpool) tax benefit, which allows transit users and vanpoolers to pay for commuting with pre-tax dollars, expired at the end of 2011. As a result, the transit benefit’s maximum pre-tax amount reverted back to $125 per month from $230 per month as of January 1. As part of the Senate’s bill, MAP-21, that amount would be increased to $240 ...