The New Jersey Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC) is a statewide advisory group coordinated by the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC), in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT.) Since its creation in 2004 through the merger of the Pedestrian Task Force and the Bicycle Advisory Council, the BPAC has worked to promote policies, practices and attitudes that increase bicycling and walking for transportation and recreation, in order to enhance the state’s quality of life and improve public health and the environment.

 

Membership is composed of a cross section of representatives from state, county and local agencies as well as consultants, advocates and members of the general public with an interest in improving the bicycle and pedestrian environment in New Jersey. The BPAC works towards its goals by providing a forum for education and information exchange, establishing a dialogue on best practices and issues of concern, and advising NJDOT and other council members on emerging issues in bicycling and walking. 

 

BPAC meetings are held quarterly on the second Wednesday of the month. Meeting agendas regularly include time for members to discuss the work that they have been doing within their respective organizations, as well as an open discussion period where they can bring up issues of

 

their choice. Each meeting also includes a more formal presentation on a timely topic or issue.  Examples of past presentations include using Google mapping software to create bicycle maps and an overview of recent updates to the MUTCD. Members also regularly request that specific items be added to the agenda for a more lengthy discussion by the BPAC.

 

In addition to regular meetings, the BPAC acts through issue-oriented subcommittees to promote bicycle and pedestrian policies and practices that improve bicycling and walking in New Jersey. The subcommittees are structured to allow collaboration among members interested in specific issues.  The three subcommittees -- law and policy; safety and education; and design, each consist of between five to 10 members and meet on a regular basis in addition to BPAC meetings.  

 

The law and policy subcommittee was established to critique, propose revisions and advocate  changes to New Jersey statues and policies pertaining to bicycles and pedestrians. The subcommittee has been working recently to revise the Title 39 statutes to improve the state’s bicycle laws.

 

The purpose of the safety and education subcommittee is to research and promote practices that foster the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians in New Jersey, and to