New Online Version of WWBPA Bike/Ped Map

The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance (WWBPA) is pleased to announce an online version of its recently released print format English/Spanish bicycle and pedestrian map. The map identifies safe bicycle/pedestrian routes and provides educational and safety information including New Jersey laws.

WWBPA Vice-President Chris Scherer and WWBPA member Dr. Wansoo Im set up the maps on Mappler, an interactive mapping application designed to encourage Public Participation GIS (PPGIS), software that allows the public to annotate the maps. Mappler is hosted by Vertices, LLC, which generously offered to host the online maps.

The WWBPA is a not for profit, 501(c)3 member supported organization promoting bicycling and walking in West Windsor Township and neighboring communities, emphasizing access, education, mobility, and safety. "Being able to create and share a map of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in our community is a huge milestone in fulfilling our mission and vision,” says Chris Scherer. “We're very grateful to Dr. Im for providing a tool that allows the community to actively participate in the evolution of the map."

There are two versions of the map, “Bicycle Roadways” and “Pedestrian Sidewalks and Trails” linked to the WWBPA Web site.

The Web-based program allows the public to participate in further development of the map. WWBPA members and others in the community can register as users to provide map updates. Registered users will have the opportunity to find locations on the map, plot the points and share comments, pictures and even videos about the locations. For example, users will have the ability to do the following:
* Highlight areas of concern (intersections requiring improvements to crosswalks, lighting or signs; gaps in sidewalks; dangerous road conditions; etc.)
* Identify bike/pedestrian improvements to local infrastructure (bike lanes, sidewalks and trails)
* Note points of interest such as historical sites, natural features, restaurants, etc.

“Connecting people and connecting communities using interactive mapping technology has become my mission; evolving technology has enhanced this mission by enabling us to communicate and share our experience and knowledge much more efficiently and effectively, and at an affordable cost,” adds Dr. Im. “The support of dedicated organizations and community participation is essential for this mission to succeed. It has been a pleasure working with the WWBPA and its members to develop access to the maps. I look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our organizations’ goals.”

To encourage public participation to update the maps and identify areas in need of improvement, the WWBPA invites the public to attend a demonstration of the online bicycle and pedestrian maps on Thursday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. (preceding its regularly scheduled monthly meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.) at the West Windsor Municipal Center in room A.

The hard-copy bilingual bicycle/pedestrian map is available at the West Windsor Community Farmers' Market, Saturdays 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on October 6 and October 20. It is free to members and available to the public with a $5 donation. Copies of the map are also available by contacting the organization at wwbikeped@gmail.com or by telephone at (609) 954-6584.