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.

goHunterdon Introduces Empower Pedestrian Safety Program to Support Independence for Special Needs Students

Apr 26, 2026

goHunterdon is proud to announce the launch of a new pedestrian safety program to provide life skills to students with special needs, ages 13-21. 

The Empower Pedestrian Safety Program equips students with practical, real world pedestrian safety skills needed to navigate their community safely, increase independence, and improve quality of life.

The program is offered free of charge to Hunterdon County schools and organizations.

This isn’t simply a classroom lecture. It’s a three part program experience that uses a mix of indoor learning, real life outdoor experience, and empowerment through art and community messaging.

Program components include:  

  1. Classroom “Social Story” presentation
  2. Outdoor Safety Scavenger Hunt
  3. Group Poster/Music Project and Showcasing

The program follows a “Learn, Apply, Create, Present” approach.  After a classroom presentation and discussion, students engage in an outdoor scavenger hunt to identify pedestrian safety infrastructure (sidewalks, crosswalks, stop signs, etc.). Students will learn the importance of using this infrastructure to stay safe while walking.

With this new knowledge, students are then invited to create posters or songs to share safety messaging with members of the school community. For more information and to discuss how goHunterdon can assist students to increase their safety and independence visit: https://gohunterdon.org/safety/safe-routes/ or contact Nina Lewis, goHunterdon Safe Routes Coordinator, nlewis@gohunterdon.org

goHunterdon Highlights Local School Crossing Guards Through New Video Series

Apr 26, 2026

goHunterdon recently spent time with local school crossing guards—everyday heroes who help keep students safe as they travel to and from school. These conversations have been captured in a series of short, engaging videos now being shared through school “virtual backpacks” and across social media platforms.

“School crossing guards play an essential role in community safety,” said Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Manager. “They are on the front line, helping students safely navigate roadways each day while reinforcing the safety lessons taught through the Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Program.”
Beyond safety, crossing guards often become a meaningful part of students’ daily routines. “The connections formed between students and crossing guards go well beyond simply crossing the street,” said Nina Lewis, goHunterdon Safe Routes Coordinator. “They become familiar, trusted faces—often year after year.”

Rain or shine, school crossing guards show up with dedication and care. Their commitment is easy to overlook, but their impact is undeniable. goHunterdon is proud to share their stories—because every crossing has a story worth telling.

Check out our conversations with local school crossing guards below.

Hunterdon Elementary and Middle School Students Compete in Winter Walk 2026

Jan 21, 2026

Over 600 elementary school students across twelve schools in Hunterdon County are lacing up their boots to participate in the 2026 Winter Walk to School event, part of the Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Program, coordinated by goHunterdon.

The participating schools include:

  • Barley Sheaf Elementary School
  • Bloomsbury Elementary School
  • Delaware Township School District
  • Frenchtown Elementary School
  • Hampton Public School
  • High Bridge Elementary School
  • High Bridge Middle School
  • Lebanon Borough School
  • Milford Public School
  • Robert Hunter Elementary School
  • South Hunterdon Regional Elementary School
  • Whitehouse School

This year-round program is designed to teach students safe walking and bicycling habits, while encouraging an active lifestyle. Winter Walk serves as a fun and educational way for students to continue walking to school during the colder months, while reinforcing important safety lessons.

The Winter Walk event also brings a bit of friendly competition: schools are vying for the “Polar Bear” Trophy, awarded to the school with the highest percentage of students walking to school. To build excitement, goHunterdon created a special promotional video to inspire participation. Check it out here: Winter Walk Promo Video.

In the lead-up to the event, goHunterdon staff are conducting safety presentations at each school, helping students understand key walking safety tips, such as:

  • Using sidewalks and crosswalks
  • Looking both ways before crossing
  • Following crossing guard instructions
  • Staying alert and avoiding distractions

Funding for the Safe Routes to School Program is provided by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. For more details about Safe Routes to School programs in Hunterdon County, visit: goHunterdon Safe Routes to School.

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.

Spring Kicks Off Bicycling Season for Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Program

Apr 28, 2025

As springtime rolls in, the Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Program—led by goHunterdon—shifts its focus to bicycling. The program follows a straightforward mission: “Where it is safe, get more kids bicycling or walking; where it is not safe, make it safe.”

Bike Trains Are Rolling Out

This spring, goHunterdon will organize bike trains at both Hampton Public School and Frenchtown Elementary School. A bike train is a fun and safe way for students to bike to school as a group, accompanied by adult leaders at the front and back. These rolling convoys can range from a few neighborhood friends riding together to larger groups with multiple “stations” along the route where more riders hop on. The goal? Encourage a love for biking while teaching essential safety skills that last a lifetime.

Hampton Public School is gearing up for its 3rd annual bike train, while Frenchtown Elementary will launch its first-ever group ride. The Frenchtown bike train route will take students along the D&R Canal State Park Towpath, which conveniently parallels the school’s walking route.

Bicycle Rodeos Build Skills and Confidence

In addition to the bike trains, goHunterdon will host bicycle rodeos this spring at High Bridge Elementary, Hampton Public, and Frenchtown Elementary schools. These hands-on events give students the chance to practice bike handling, boost their riding confidence, and sharpen their safety knowledge.

Each rodeo includes:

  • On-site bike maintenance checks and basic repairs by goHunterdon staff
  • Helmet fittings to ensure proper safety gear
  • On-bike skills development including braking, balance, turning, and signaling
  • A review of key bicycle safety rules and laws

For more information about the Safe Routes to School Program in Hunterdon County, visit: https://gohunterdon.org/safety/safe-routes/

Students Bundle Up for Hunterdon County Safe Routes “Winter Walk”

Feb 28, 2025

Students in grades K-8 bundled up for organized “Winter Walks” to school during the month of January as part of the Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School Program. Eight participating schools pledged to walk to school as part of their “walking school buses”, chaperoned walks along designated routes as part of the annual Winter Walk event.

Now in its tenth year, Winter Walk provides a fun way for students to learn about and practice safe walking behaviors in winter weather conditions.    The annual event seamlessly connects walk and bike to school events that take place in the fall, winter and spring keeping students engaged throughout the school year.

Ahead of each scheduled Winter Walk, goHunterdon staff provided interactive lessons to teach students the importance of using sidewalk and crosswalk safety, dressing for colder weather, and how to safely navigate on snowy or icy sidewalks. This year’s “Winter Waddle Walk” encouraged students to mimic a penguin when dealing with icy conditions. This assured them a better traction over ice and snow. The recent inclement weather prior to some of the Winter Walks provided students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned and to practice safe pedestrian behaviors alongside peers, parents, and teachers.

As an added incentive, Winter Walk features a friendly competition among participating schools.  The school that has the highest percentage of their school population walking as part of the event is awarded the perpetual Polar Bear Trophy. This year’s Polar Bear Trophy winner was Hampton Public School with 51% of their total school population, K-5, participating in their “Winter Waddle Walk” to school on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Recognition of outstanding participation included Mrs. Silverman’s 3rd grade class, South Hunterdon Regional Elementary School; Mrs. Marciano’s 2nd grade class Barley Sheaf Elementary School; Mrs. Kerr’s Kindergarten class, High Bridge Elementary School; and Mrs. Doyle’s 5th grade class, Frenchtown Elementary School.

Winter Walk also provided the ideal time express appreciation to local crossing guards. Customized greeting cards were distributed to crossing guard thanking them for “Having a Heart for Safety”. 

The Hunterdon Safe Routes to School Program is facilitated by goHunterdon as part of the statewide Safe Routes program, funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The goals of the program are: “Where it is safe, get more kids walking or bicycling; where it is not safe, make it safe.”

Hampton Public School Hosts 2nd Annual Bike Train

Jul 16, 2024

A record number of students, parents, faculty, and administration participated in Hampton Public School’s second annual Bicycle Train, part of the school’s involvement in the Hunterdon County Safe Routes to School program. A bike train is a chaperoned bicycle route for students to follow and ride together on their way to school.

goHunterdon staff set up a temporary bike lane along Foss Avenue to provide a secure space for the students to ride.

Continue reading “Hampton Public School Hosts 2nd Annual Bike Train”

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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