Montclair Leads the Way in Safe Routes to School

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.