October 2026

EZ Ride’s Annual Awards Luncheon, Champions for Change, brought together schools, municipalities, and community partners on September 24, 2026, to celebrate their work to make transportation safer, cleaner, and more efficient.

This year, EZ Ride recognized 295 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) award recipients including 220 schools and 75 municipalities for activities ranging from safety presentations and community audits to bicycle skills classes and walk- and bike-to-school events. These honorees were among 417 schools and municipalities recognized statewide in 2026.

Throughout the year, these partners worked with EZ Ride to host more than 1,000 safety events, reaching over 76,000 participants across Bergen, Essex, Monmouth, Passaic, and Union counties.

View the full list of 2026 SRTS Recognition Program awardees.

EZ Ride also presented Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) awards to 11 worksites for their commitment to sustainable transportation. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, EVAL is a certification program that recognizes workplace EV charging.

Presenters Stefanie Scharf of Uber Health, Dr. Erick Alfonso of the Belleville Board of Education, and Deputy Mayor Denise Belcher and Lt. Charles Antinori of the Township of Teaneck shared practical insights and examples to inspire others to improve transportation in their communities.

Thank you to our attendees, presenters, and honorees for your continued partnership. We also thank our sponsors – QRyde, Hackensack Meridian Health, NationalHR, HUB International, and Rohrer Bus for making the celebration possible.

Visit our event website to view and download photos and explore program materials.

Congratulations to all our honorees!