When the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance holds it annual meeting on February 8, Mira Bhatia, Lauren Mandel, Annemarie Strange, and Kim Meersma, four West Windsor-Plainsboro students will be welcomed to the advisory board. The students’ role is to communicate the interests and concerns of youth in the community, and assist in involving youth from the community in organizing events throughout the year. The meeting will be held at the Senior Center in the West Windsor Township Municipal Complex on Clarksville Road.##M:[more]##
Mira Bhatia, a junior at High School North, was already involved with the group and worked with them last summer on the Pedals for Progress Bike Drive to enable used American bicycles to find a home in developing countries. “I have traveled across America, Asia and Europe and observed the avid use of bicycles for work and pleasure in several countries, and have always believed that bicycle use can be encouraged and enhanced in the U.S., for reasons of energy conservation, physical well being, and simple enjoyment,” she says. “I have noted how youth in different countries use bicycles and believe I can translate my experience to adequately convey youth concerns and issues to the board as it tries to build the alliance.”
Lauren Mandel, a sophomore at High School North, has taken part in the West Windsor annual bike fest every year. “I’m well aware how important good bike trails are,” she says. “I think that learning to bike and walk reasonable distances, instead of relying on cars, can have a healthy change in our community.”
“I think kids my age would really like the idea of having safer ways to get around because we’re too young to drive, but old enough to want to do more things on our own,” says Kim Meersma, an eighth grade student at Thomas Grover Middle School. “So, I think there are a lot of reasons for kids to be interested, either to help the organization and to benefit from what the group (WWBPA) does.”
“I use my bike daily in this community; to go to school, to get to the library, and to go out for lunch, and I know that this community needs changes to make it safer for bikers all around,” says Annemarie Strange, a junior at High School South.
The advisory board also includes Giuliano Chicco, its web consultant; Dan Gerstenhaber, chairman of the West Windsor BikeFest; Alan Hershey, chairman of the NJ Trails Association; Barry Keppard, a transportation planner; Robert Kenny, Esq., counsel; and Dinesh K. Singal, MD, medical consultant.
The meeting will cover a review of the organization’s recently published annual report, which highlights the inception of the organization, and successful advocacy initiatives and events in 2006. Goals and initiatives for the organization in 2007 will also be covered. Trustees will also be elected at the meeting. For more information visit the website: www.princetononline.org/wwbpa, or the group’s blog: https://wwbpa.blogspot.com, E-mail wwbikeped@gmail.com, or call Ken Carlson at 609-275-6355 or Susan Conlon at 609-936-1916. — Lynn Miller
Annual Membership Meeting, West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance, West Windsor Senior Center, 609-275-6355. Bike and pedestrian group to further advocacy for bicycle and pedestrian access, mobility, and safety in the town. Review the annual report, goals, and initiatives. Election of trustees. Four students join the advisory board. Visit website for a copy of the report. Thursday, February 8, 7:30 p.m.
