Newsletters  >   “Summer Safety Squad” Initiative Promotes Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

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“Summer Safety Squad” Initiative Promotes Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

Jul 31, 2026

This summer, goHunterdon is once again partnering with local police departments to encourage safe bicycling and walking habits among young residents through its Summer Safety Squad initiative.

The positive-reinforcement program centers on a series of five collectible trading cards that give police officers a fun, kid-friendly way to recognize children who are making safe choices such as wearing a helmet, crossing streets safely, and staying visible while walking or riding. When officers spot a child demonstrating good safety habits, they reward them with one of the collectible cards.

“The card set is designed with an e-sports/trading card aesthetic to appeal to 11- and 12-year-olds,” said Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Manager. “This is the age when we typically see a decline in helmet use and other safe bicycling and walking behaviors.”
By encouraging children to collect all five cards, the program reinforces positive behaviors throughout the summer while fostering meaningful interactions between law enforcement and the community.

Each card also features a tear-off coupon that can be redeemed at a participating local business, offering rewards such as a free ice cream cone or a slice of pizza. These partnerships, coordinated by the participating police departments, provide an extra incentive for children to practice safe habits every time they head outside.

Participating police departments include Flemington Borough, Frenchtown Borough, High Bridge Borough, the City of Lambertville, Readington Township, the Town of Clinton, Califon Borough (through the Washington Township Police Department), and Tewksbury Township. Through Summer Safety Squad, goHunterdon and its law enforcement partners are helping young residents build lifelong safety habits while strengthening positive connections within the community.

Local Police Partner with goHunterdon to Conduct “Caught Being Safe” Helmet Safety Campaigns

Jul 23, 2025

This summer, goHunterdon is teaming up with local police departments to encourage bicycle safety and promote awareness of New Jersey’s Bicycle Helmet Law. The law requires all riders under the age of 17 to wear a helmet when using a bicycle, scooter, or skateboard.

As part of the collaboration, police departments in the Town of Clinton, Flemington Borough, Frenchtown Borough, Raritan Township, Readington Township have committed to roll out “Caught Being Safe” campaigns, an initiative that rewards children and teens who make smart choices by wearing their helmets. Officers will hand out “reward tickets” to young riders spotted following the law and riding safely. Discussions are underway with additional local police departments anticipated to host campaigns in the next few months.

Rewards will differ by town, but may include treats like coupons for local ice cream shops, pizza places, or candy stores—as well as non-food prizes. Officers will also distribute bicycle safety materials provided by goHunterdon.

For those who don’t have a helmet, police departments will provide free helmets in partnership with goHunterdon. Helmets are funded through the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety and NJ Department of Transportation.

“Campaigns like ‘Caught Being Safe’ not only encourage helmet use, they also foster positive connections between law enforcement and the youth in our communities,” says Ryan Fisher, Safety Programs Manager at goHunterdon.

To learn more about bicycle safety or the “Caught Being Safe” initiative, contact Nina Lewis, Safe Routes Coordinator, at nlewis@gohunterdon.org.

Traffic Gardens Provide Unique Learning Spaces for Bicycle and Pedestrian Education

May 1, 2024

“Traffic gardens” have been installed at High Bridge Elementary School and Milford Public School in support of bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs. A third traffic garden is planned at Hampton Public School with an anticipated install date early next school year.

A traffic garden is a set of small-sized streets with scaled-down traffic features and elements where children practice using streets in a place that is free from motor vehicles. Traffic gardens are also known as safety towns, safety villages, or traffic playgrounds. Continue reading “Traffic Gardens Provide Unique Learning Spaces for Bicycle and Pedestrian Education”

Promoting Safety at Local Summer Camps

Jul 20, 2022

Summer provides a unique opportunity for goHunterdon to educate young people on bicycle and pedestrian safety at local summer day camps.   “Throughout the school year, we engage with young people through our Safe Routes to School Program, but safety is a year round message,” says Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Coordinator.

“The summer camp environment offers a relaxed environment and give us more flexibility in the kinds of activities we can schedule,” he adds.

Summer camp activities include outdoor bicycle safety rodeos, interactive helmet safety demonstrations, and bicycle and pedestrian “relay race” style safety games. goHunterdon also offers indoor camp activities for rainy days.

goHunterdon staff bring all of the equipment, knowledge and fun needed to engage campers with bicycle and pedestrian safety activities at no charge.

Visits are scheduled at camps in Lebanon Borough, Raritan Township, Hampton Borough, and Flemington Borough.

For more information or to schedule a goHunterdon camp activity, contact Ryan Fisher, Safety Programs Manager, rfisher@gohunterdon.org

What to Know: New Jersey’s New Safe Passing Law

Jul 20, 2022

New Jersey’s new Safe Passing Law went into effect on March 1, 2022. The law aims to prevent the near misses, injuries, and deaths that often occur on New Jersey roadways.

  • Drivers in New Jersey are now required to approach and pass vulnerable road users with “due caution.” Due caution means both slowing down and giving the other user plenty of space when passing:
  • Drivers must follow all current no-passing, no speeding laws AND move over a lane IF there’s one to move into.
  • On a single-lane road, drivers must allow at least a 4-foot safety zone when they pass.
  • If 4 feet is not possible on a section of road, drivers must slow to 25mph and be prepared to stop until they can pass safely without endangering those sharing the road.

Violating these guidelines will result in a driver receiving a fine of $500 and two motor vehicle points, if bodily harm is caused. If no injury occurs, the fine is $100. Read the full New Jersey Legislature Bill (A5570/S2208)

“Smart Summer Fun” Online Activities Offered by goHunterdon

Jul 27, 2020

goHunterdon has announced the availability of free online summer activities for K-8 students and their families.  The activities reinforce the curriculum offered by goHunterdon to local schools as part of the organization’s environmental education and bicycle/pedestrian safety programming.

“Summer 2020 presents a unique opportunity for Hunterdon students to have fun and stay engaged with hands-on, active learning,” says Tara Shepherd, executive director.

“The bicycle and pedestrian safety activities all have a “Take it Outside” element,” says Ryan Fisher, Safety Programs Coordinator.  “Activities include an “I-Spy” walking game, performing an “ABC Quick Check” of your bicycle before riding, and an “egg drop” helmet experiment. Several “do it yourself” craft activities, like creating “galaxy sneakers” or making homemade sidewalk chalk provide for hands on fun,” he adds.  The bicycle and pedestrian activities may be viewed here: https://www.gohunterdon.org/summer-learning/srts

For those who are looking for STEM education aligned activities, the environmental education resources include activities related to electric vehicles, alternative energies, and air quality. Activities are arranged by grade level and include a greenhouse gas experiment, creating a battery from pennies, building a windmill, designing a car powered by a balloon.

“goHunterdon’s environmental education program has always focused on hands-on learning,” says Jodi Bettermann, Environmental Education Coordinator. “Teaching young people today provides an opportunity for lifelong awareness of the role that they can play in improving the environment,” she notes. “This summer is a great time to help children develop curiosity around these topics,” she adds. The environmental education activities may be viewed here: https://www.gohunterdon.org/summer-learning/env-ed

For more information, contact Ryan Fisher, rfisher@gohunterdon.org, Safety Programs Coordinator  or Jodi Betterman, jbettermann@gohunterdon.org, Environmental Education Coordinator.

Who to Contact?
If you have questions about “Summer Safety Squad” Initiative Promotes Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, please contact:
goHunterdon
jeff@gohunterdon.org
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