January 2026,

The Township of Rochelle Park has officially adopted an updated Complete & Green Streets (C&GS) policy, becoming the fifth municipality in Bergen County and one of only 28 statewide to do so. The adoption builds on Rochelle Park’s recent achievement of the 2025 Silver Safe Routes to School Recognition Award and moves the Township closer to Gold-level status.

Following a policy work session with support from EZ Ride staff, the Township Council voted to adopt the policy. EZ Ride provided guidance on demonstration projects and speed studies to support implementation. A recording of the meeting is available online.

To advance the policy, Rochelle Park has formed a seven-member C&GS Advisory Subcommittee that will work with the Township Engineer to develop checklists for all new roadway projects. The checklists will be made publicly available online to ensure transparency and accountability. These tools will help address local challenges such as flooding and traffic congestion, particularly as nearly one-third of the Township lies within FEMA-mapped floodplains.

“Ultimately, this is about our future. Complete & Green Streets ensures all new road projects must consider both flood mitigation issues and cost-effective road safety improvements as needed. More importantly, it unlocks grant opportunities that were previously unavailable to us, such as our recent application for the NJTPA’s Complete Streets Technical Assistance program. We are excited for what comes next, and look forward to collaborating with EZ Ride for future Gold SRTS Recognition and Sustainable Jersey assistance”. Tommy Miller, Deputy Mayor

For more information on Complete & Green Streets policies or demonstration projects, contact EZ Ride at [email protected] or 201-939-4242, option 3.

January 2026,

EZ Ride congratulates RideWise on receiving a Bronze EV Adoption Leadership recognition award for its efforts to encourage sustainable travel. Like EZ Ride, RideWise is one of New Jersey’s eight Transportation Management Associations (TMAs).

RideWise’s mission is to connect people and businesses to safe and sustainable travel information that enhances quality of life and creates a vibrant economy. Its strategic priorities serve Somerset County by:

As an employer that values sustainability, RideWise encourages employees to commute via public transit or active transportation, such as walking and biking. Employees who bike to work can park their bicycles safely indoors and use a 120-volt outlet on site to charge e-mobility devices.

RideWise also promotes sustainable travel when multiple employees attend an event by encouraging them to use electric vehicles or carpooling. Although they lease space in a building without EV charging, they have partnered with Somerset County so staff can use free public EV chargers for their vehicles. RideWise has compiled a list of all public county charger locations on its website, available to both staff and county residents.

“RideWise provides information about electric vehicle charging stations in Somerset County and resources to support environmentally friendly transportation. We are thrilled to receive recognition as a national EV Adoption Leader (EVAL) and look forward to collaborating with EZ Ride and other regional partners on activities that support sustainable transportation.”

— Donna Allison, Executive Director

RideWise is partnering with EZ Ride to host a Wheels and Watts webinar on February 17 at 2 pm for local government agencies. Register here. RideWise will also co-host a First Responder EV Awareness program with EZ Ride and the NJEVA on February 17, 2026, at 7 pm to educate firefighters, police, and EMS personnel about EVs, safe rescue, battery disconnect, and charging guidelines.

For more information about EVAL certification and its benefits, please contact [email protected] or call 201-939-4242 and select option 6 for assistance with your award nomination. EZ Ride is also available to provide free technical assistance to local governments interested in transitioning their fleets to EVs, including workplace or multi-unit dwelling charging, as well as information on EV grants and vehicles for your municipality. for your municipality.

January 2026,

Congratulations to New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA) on receiving federal funding for the Meadowlands Supplemental Plans and Demonstration Safety Projects, awarded through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The grant will support, among other initiatives, Safe Routes to School programs in two school districts within underserved Meadowlands communities. These efforts include safety training for elementary school students and the establishment of “walking and/or biking bus” events to promote safe travel to and from school. In addition, NJSEA and EZ Ride will conduct interviews and surveys with schools and community members to better understand local challenges and develop actionable policies to address them.

“This SS4A funding allows us to move from planning to action by directly addressing safety challenges faced by children and families in the Meadowlands,” said Nadereh Moini, Chief of Transportation, NJSEA. “By working closely with schools and communities, we can develop solutions that are both data-driven and locally informed. The lessons learned from this work will be incorporated into the next iteration of NJSEA’s safety plan, MAP4S, and will serve as a blueprint for future initiatives undertaken by NJSEA and its municipal partners.”

Schools and municipal leaders interested in supporting Safe Routes to School initiatives are encouraged to contact Mike Johnson, Manager of Bike & Pedestrian Program at EZ Ride, at [email protected] or (201) 939-4242 Ext. 130

January, 2026

EZ Ride is pleased to partner with Monmouth County to announce the release of the Monmouth County Transportation Resource Guide—a comprehensive, user-friendly tool designed to help residents, older adults, caregivers, and community organizations find safe, dependable, and convenient transportation options.

From senior ride programs to paratransit services and new mobility partnerships, the guide makes it easier to plan trips throughout the county. Whether you’re commuting to work, a medical appointment, grocery shopping, or a community center, you can quickly find the options available to you.

The guide brings together information from a wide range of transportation providers, including county and municipal programs, non-profit providers, private companies, and NJ TRANSIT services- into one accessible resource.

Beyond serving riders, the guide is also a valuable tool for local leaders, transportation professionals, and service providers. It helps identify community transportation needs, highlight service gaps, and inform future improvements that promote access and inclusion for all.

“On behalf of my fellow Commissioners, we are proud to partner with EZ Ride to offer the Monmouth County Transportation Resource Guide,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “This Guide connects residents to a range of transportation options, including ‘Ride in Monmouth’, the County’s on-demand, curb-to-curb service that helps ensure safe, accessible travel throughout the county. We encourage residents to explore these resources and learn more at visitmonmouth.com.”

“Transportation can be a significant barrier for residents who do not drive or own a vehicle, which is why the importance of this Guide cannot be overstated,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services. “By highlighting a variety of transportation options, this Guide helps residents better navigate available services and make informed choices about their transportation needs.”

At EZ Ride, we believe that mobility creates opportunity. The Monmouth County Transportation Resource Guide is more than just a directory – it’s a connection – linking people to places, services, and opportunities. Together with Monmouth County, our shared mission is to build a more accessible, connected, and equitable transportation system that enhances communities and improves quality of life for everyone.

Download the Guide Today

 

December 2025,

Keeping our most vulnerable road users safe – children, older adults, pedestrians, and bicyclists, remains a challenge for communities everywhere. The Township of Teaneck has faced similar concerns after experiencing multiple crashes, and their proactive response offers a clear road map that other towns can follow.

Community Engagement: Listening First

With support from EZ Ride, Teaneck hosted a community engagement meeting on June 18, 2025, to gather input from residents on ways to improve pedestrian safety. Participants identified several high-risk intersections near Palisade Avenue, Ayers Court and Queen Anne Road, an area with both heavy traffic and active local businesses.

The municipality collaborated on potential safety strategies and agreed to test a temporary demonstration project. The goals were simple but powerful: slow vehicle speeds, improve pedestrian visibility, and shorten crossing distances at key intersections.

Demonstration Project: Testing Solutions on the Ground

On September 28, 2025, Teaneck installed temporary pedestrian-safety upgrades, including delineators and painted curb extensions, at the selected intersections. The installation team included Lt. Antinori and Sgt. Brittingham of the Teaneck Police Traffic Unit, Councilwoman Hillary Goldberg, volunteers from the Safe Streets Teaneck coalition, Bergen County Complete Streets, and EZ Ride staff. All materials, such as delineators, reflective traffic tape, and acrylic traffic paint for the curb extensions, were provided at no cost by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).

The demonstration ran for two months, concluding in early December. EZ Ride partnered with the township to conduct pre- and post-project surveys, and 325 residents offered detailed feedback to help inform next steps. One key recommendation, from both the Fire Department and township engineers, was to adjust designs so large vehicles, including fire engines, could turn safely into parking areas and onto Queen Anne Road.

Lieutenant Charles Antinori noted, “The temporary demonstration project provided a quick, valuable, and low-cost method of evaluating next steps for future infrastructure improvements. The community feedback gathered was invaluable, and the support of community volunteers and EZ Ride helped make the installation a smooth process.”

A Model for Other Communities

Teaneck’s experience shows how meaningful community engagement and short-term demonstration projects can help towns identify safety priorities, test potential solutions, and build public support. These efforts also strengthen future applications for grants that fund permanent infrastructure improvements.

Congratulations, Teaneck

EZ Ride congratulates the Township of Teaneck for taking concrete steps to make walking and biking safer for everyone. Their leadership and commitment to community-driven planning serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to build safer and more vibrant streets.

For guidance on hosting community engagement sessions or implementing your own demonstration projects, please call (201) 939-4242, option 3 or email [email protected].

December 2025,

New Jersey’s shift to electric vehicles is accelerating. The state has over 250,000 EV registrations as of late 2025, a 15% jump from late 2024. But, while EV adoption is rising statewide, access to reliable charging is not growing evenly and disadvantaged communities continue to have fewer public chargers.

For many apartment residents in these neighborhoods, this gap is especially frustrating. Unlike homeowners, renters depend on public charging, which is often far from where they live. At the same time, owners of older apartment complexes may be reluctant to install charging stations, simply because they do not know that grants are available to cover costs.

A Community Based Partnership

To meet this challenge, EZ Ride provided an EV 101 presentation for Paterson community leaders from NJ GreenFaith and the NJ Black Issues Convention, two statewide advocacy organizations, made up of religious and Black community leaders who address issues affecting Black communities such as community health and air pollution.

Local leaders, Rev. Randall Lassiter, Rev. Ronald Tuff, and Jeffery Jones, former Mayor of Paterson attended and helped to ground the dialogue in community priorities and trust.

Raising Awareness

The discussions covered the “why” and the “how” of electrification:

Participants were candid about real barriers: limited access, unreliable chargers, electrical safety, complicated grant processes, choosing the right technology, and installation costs.

From Education to Action

These sessions quickly produced concrete next steps:

  1. GreenFaith and the Black Issues Convention members will work with EZ Ride to connect apartment owners who are ready to explore EV charging for their properties.
  2. Calvary Baptist Church is moving forward with plans to install EV chargers on church property, serving both congregation members and the wider Paterson community.

To support both efforts, EZ Ride will provide hands-on technical assistance, including:

“This partnership with EZ Ride turns our values into action. Reliable EV charging means healthier air and more choices for families in Paterson, especially those who’ve been left out of past investments.” – Jeffery Jones, NJ Black Issues Convention and former Mayor of Paterson

Why This Work Matters

Apartment residents in disadvantaged communities represent roughly a third of New Jersey’s population, yet they have the least access to affordable, convenient EV charging. Closing this gap is essential if the transition to electric transportation is going to be fair and if every family is going to share in cleaner air, healthier streets, and lower transportation costs.

By pairing trusted community leadership with practical resources and grant awareness, this partnership is helping ensure that every neighborhood can participate in and benefit from the electric future.

Want to learn more or partner with us? Email [email protected] or 201-939-4242 (option 6).

Upcoming Event:

December 2025,

NJ TRANSIT has announced a significant increase in its monthly vanpool subsidy—from $175 to $400 per month for all eligible vanpools, effective January 2026. This new higher subsidy replaces the previous two-tier arrangement, which included a separate incentive for vanpools using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Moving forward, there will be a single, more generous subsidy rate, allowing commuting groups to save substantially more each month.

Subsidies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and all vanpools must apply to participate. Currently, 68 vanpools benefit from NJ TRANSIT’s program. The increased funding will cover up to 83 vanpools, with additional applicants placed on a waiting list until more funds become available.

How the Program Works

To qualify, commuters must lease a van through an approved NJ TRANSIT provider. After leasing, riders share expenses such as lease payments, fuel, tolls, and parking—significantly reducing individual costs. Vanpools succeed when participants coordinate effectively:

Why Vanpooling Is Smart

Vanpooling is especially cost-effective for one-way commutes of 40 miles or more, but shorter trips also qualify. Besides financial savings, vanpooling brings several advantages:

EZ Ride supports commuters at every stage—from forming groups and submitting subsidy applications to guidance on annual renewals. With NJ TRANSIT’s new, higher subsidy, now is an excellent time to discover vanpooling as an affordable, environmentally friendly way to travel.

For help starting a new vanpool, contact Kinga Skora at [email protected] or 201-939-4242 Ext. 131.

November 2025

Passaic County was recently recognized nationally for its leadership in expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging access for both employees and the public.

With support from EZ Ride, four County sites achieved EV Adoption Leadership (EVAL) certifications from FORTH Mobility, highlighting Passaic County’s commitment to sustainable transportation.

EV Charging and EVAL Certification Highlights

Special recognition goes to Kenneth Simpson, Supervisor of Roads, for his leadership in installing 21 EV charging stations at County facilities and working with EZ Ride to achieve these EVAL certifications.

Sustainability and Environmental Goals

Passaic County is committed to improving air quality, cutting fuel and energy costs, and becoming one of New Jersey’s EV leaders. Key goals include:

Fleet Electrification Milestone

In September, Michelle Vega, Supervisor of Motorpool, celebrated the delivery of Passaic County’s first electric transit bus, funded through NJDEP’s Equipment Modernization Grant Program.

The fully funded electric bus—at no cost to taxpayers—replaces a diesel model and offers a 100-mile range. It will serve residents of the Preakness Healthcare Center, providing clean, quiet transportation to medical appointments, shopping, and entertainment.

“This new electric bus and EV charging stations are major steps forward in modernizing County transportation, reducing vehicle emissions, and improving air quality for residents,” said Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett. “By investing in cleaner technologies, we’re protecting the environment and providing employees and residents with greater access to sustainable transportation.”

EZ Ride Congratulates Passaic County

EZ Ride applauds Passaic County’s commitment to cleaner transportation and its leadership in EV adoption. We can help your community plan, fund, and install EV charging infrastructure at no cost.

[email protected] | 201-939-4242, option 6

 

November 2025

Earlier this year, the Montclair Vision Zero Task Force, Mobility Committee, and Complete Streets Department launched an initiative to conduct a walk and bike audit at Montclair High School and update the School Travel Plans (STPs) for all 10 public schools. Prior STPs and audits were completed in 2013, and reports were written by a consultant. These updates will ensure each plan reflects the latest best practices and address current traffic safety concerns.

Community Collaboration in Action

To start, the Task Force asked EZ Ride to update crash and demographic data in the Charles Bullock STP and selected Buzz Aldrin Middle School and Montclair High School for new Road Safety Audits (RSAs). Each school organized a team of staff, students, and community volunteers to access the most frequently used routes to school—three walking routes and one biking route per school.

EZ Ride trained the volunteers to evaluate these routes, focusing on intersection safety, crosswalk visibility, lighting, sidewalks, curb ramps, bike lanes, and speed limits. Teams then walked or biked the routes and recorded what they observed – including the challenges faced by wheelchair users.

“I fully support the Montclair Vision Zero Task Force’s efforts of improve safety for our students. Since 2008, I’ve been working to make our streets safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and all road users, as part of our Township Safety Committee with our Engineer, Traffic Police, and Bike & Walk Montclair. Every person, young and old alike, living in our township should feel safe as they travel to and from school and throughout our community. I fully encourage and support all schools in updating their School Travel Plans, and improving bike and pedestrian safety for all,” said Mayor Renee Baskerville, Township of Montclair

Building Safer Streets for Everyone

The findings will help EZ Ride update each school’s STP and set the stage for future engineering studies, enforcement strategies, and community improvements. Together, these steps will make walking and biking safer, easier, and more enjoyable for Montclair students.

Want to make your school routes safer?

EZ Ride can help your community conduct a Road Safety Audit and create a School Travel Plan—at no cost. For more information, please contact call 201-939-4242, option 3 or email [email protected].

 

Upcoming Events:

E-Bike Safety Webinars: What Parents, Youth and Municipalities Need to Know.

October 2025

Dear Friends of EZ Ride,

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved trustee, Richard “Rich” Fritzky. Alongside his dear friend Rich Roberts, Rich co-founded our organization and served as Vice Chair of the Board for many decades.

Rich was a visionary leader and dedicated public servant whose work left a lasting impact on regional transportation, workforce development, and community progress across New Jersey. He served as President of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber for more than 25 years and later continued to guide the Chamber and other regional organizations as a consultant.

His leadership extended to many statewide initiatives, including the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority’s Business Advisory Committee, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Master Plan Review Advisory Committee, the New Jersey State Planning Commission, and the State Employment and Training Commission. He also served as Co-Chair of the 1998 New Jersey Task Force on Adult Literacy and as the first Chair of the York Street Project in Jersey City.

A proud Seton Hall University alumnus, Rich earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Political Science and American Civilization. He later shared his love of learning as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall and Fairleigh Dickinson University, inspiring countless students to lead with compassion and integrity.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rich was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. After overcoming a life-threatening illness and tremendous physical challenges, he became a powerful voice for perseverance, gratitude, and faith. He and his wife, Maggie, are the proud parents of 12 children and grandparents to 31 grandchildren.

Rich’s life was a testament to faith, resilience, and service. We are deeply grateful for his friendship, leadership, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. His spirit will continue to guide and inspire all of us at EZ Ride.

Funeral Arrangements
The wake will be held on Friday, October 24th, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at the F. John Ramsey Funeral Home in Franklin.
The funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 25th, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Sparta, followed by a repast from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at the Budd Lake Firehouse in Mount Olive.

With heartfelt sympathy,