Embracing Challenge

Written by Judy Bortman

When you hear the word "challenge," how do you react? Are you eager to learn more and participate? Or does the word "challenge" make you want to run in the opposite direction?

Deciding whether to participate in a challenge is a timely topic that popped into my mind as we prepare to introduce TripSwitch, a free, short-term campaign encouraging people to switch their solo drive for a trip by walking, biking or carpooling. In addition to the sustainable benefits, all participants become eligible for a number of great prizes.

While preparing TripSwitch marketing materials, several questions came to mind:

• Do people ever change from being challenge-phobic to challenge-friendly?
• Would chances to win great prizes and the excitement of competition incent people to modify their behavior for a few days and “switch” to a trip by walking, biking or carpooling?
• Is altering your commute or mode of transportation too challenging? How could I motivate participation? Would naysayers even consider taking part?
• Are people who live in cities more likely to participate because they have access to a train station or bus stop?
• Does the type of challenge matter? Is a test of physical strength appealing to some while a Jeopardy-style trivia game attracts others?

There are two kinds of people...

I kept coming up with questions faster than I could find or figure out answers. It's my belief that people fall into two distinct camps on some matters, such as those who like anchovies on their pizza and those who don't.

Likewise, I suspect that there are people who like to participate in a challenge and those who prefer to stay away. You can’t do either half-heartedly. Either you participate in a challenge or you don't.

A person switching even a few trips would still be considered a TripSwitch participant and eligible to win prizes. I decided to research successful and noteworthy challenges as a Yoda-like way to understand their appeal, discover how to reach people and apply those insights to TripSwich marketing.

A recent, very visible and popular challenge came to mind. The Ice Bucket Challenge to benefit the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Association took the nation by storm thanks to social media. It attracted celebrities and professional athletes as well as everyday folks who endured being doused with a bucketful of ice water in order to raise awareness (and money!) for a worthy cause.

Note: The Ice Bucket Challenge lives on as a Halloween costume.

Nominating a minimum of three people to take the Ice Bucket Challenge was a component that kept the effort going through the late summer. As a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge the ALS Association increased awareness of its mission and received over $100 million in donations from over 700,000 new donors.

So why did the Ice Bucket Challenge catch on? Several reasons, I believe:

• Good timing - It took place during the summer.
• Short duration – The challenge itself took seconds, with just a bit more time for preparation and social media posting.
• Flexible - Participants could choose where and when they were doused and plan accordingly.
• Challenging only yourself – It was a challenge, not a competition. People challenged themselves - to be dunked or not to be dunked. For most, it was a new experience.
• Helping a cause - Increasing awareness of ALS and generating donations made people feel good which overshadowed a momentary chill.
• Boasting rights – Sharing your video on social media was tangible proof of your personal accomplishment and the reward for an act of kindness.

With a nod to Yoda, I saw parallels for The TripSwitch Challenge and motivating people “to do” not just “try”:

• Good timing – TripSwitch is taking place during October, ideal walking and biking weather.
• Short duration – It lasts only 21 days, from October 6th to 26th.
• Flexible - Participants can choose how, were and when they switch their trip.
• Challenging only yourself – Everyone who participates is a winner. People challenge themselves by taking a different mode of travel and feel good about their accomplishment. The more they switch the more chances to win prizes.
• Helping a cause – Improving the air we breathe and reducing traffic congestion are ways that TripSwitch participation helps sustainability.
• Boasting rights – Sharing your TripSwitch ride on our GoForGood Challenge site and sharing on social media is tangible proof of your personal accomplishment as well as an intrinsic reward.
• Increasing awareness – Participating in TripSwitch increases awareness of trip options and hopefully inspires participants to continue walking, biking or carpooling after the Challenge concludes.

 

Whether you prefer to embrace or avoid challenge, TripSwitch is a safe way to step outside your comfort zone. Plus it’s flexible, sustainable, will make you feel good about yourself and it’s free!

TripSwitch is now underway at GoForGood.TransOptions.org, but you can register at any time. We hope you'll join us!

Sharing the Shore

Written by Laura Cerutti

People are not spending their summer sitting in shore traffic on the Garden State Parkway for nothing. With the amount of people flooding to shore towns on the weekends, it’s obvious that the Jersey Shore has a strong fan base. And after being stuck in shore traffic, what better way to enjoy the shore than on a bike ride or a walk?

Bicycles parked at the beach

Walking and biking are two favorite shore pastimes. The level ground makes a bike trip or long stroll easy to manage and the coastal views of the beach and bay are a novelty most people only get to enjoy a few times a year. For drivers, however, navigating the shore does not necessarily get easier after enduring a bumpy ride on the Garden State Parkway. Once you have finally reached your destination, it is imperative to remain vigilant when sharing the roads with an influx of bicyclists and walkers.

Biking and walking is a major component of the Jersey Shore’s culture. Most people stay within a short distance of the beach, shops, restaurants and boardwalk making it silly to use your car to get around. During my time at the beach I realized I go days without using my car. In fact, it usually stays parked in its spot from the time I get there until I reluctantly leave to head home. One reason my car stays in its place is because it’s hard to find parking after giving up a space, the other is because I find driving the local roads to be a stressful experience due to the swarms of bicyclists and pedestrians. I too find myself being more inclined to take part in the shore’s bike/walk culture more than I would at home, but no matter how I am traveling, my safety senses are heightened.

After observing the driving, walking and bicycling behaviors of those around me at the beach, I noticed these three modes of transportation do not exactly coexist peacefully. Too many times I have seen pedestrians jaywalking when a cross walk is only yards away, drivers failing to give the right-of-way to pedestrians who are actually in the crosswalks or bicyclists riding towards the beach on the wrong side of the street.

People of the shore travel in “vacation mode”. The bicyclists may only ever ride while there and never in the
off season, meaning they could be lacking regular road experience. Pedestrians can be seen heading to the beach while trying to balance several beach items like chairs, towels, and bags causing them to be less aware of their surroundings. And drivers can be distracted while searching for parking, looking for places to eat, or by being on their cell phones. When you mix these hazards and put them in a crowded shore town, unfortunate incidents are bound to happen.

Long Beach Island Shuttle Bus

To combat crashes involving pedestrians at the Jersey Shore, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) recently launched the Street Smart campaign in Long Beach Island. Between 2009 and 2012, LBI had a total of 13 pedestrian related crashes. It was found that most of these crashes were caused by either pedestrians crossing outside of marked crosswalks or drivers failing to yield.
The goal for LBI’s Street Smart movement is to encourage both motorists and pedestrians to check their “vital signs” of obeying the speed limits, stopping for pedestrians, waiting for the “walk” signal at intersections, and crossing at crosswalks.

Just like Long Beach Island, other popular shore towns experience a rise in pedestrians and bicycle related crashes, especially during the summer months. Between 2009 and 2014, municipalities like Long Branch, Belmar and Point Pleasant Beach have all had an uptick in crashes between May and September. Similar to LBI, these crashes were most likely caused by the disconnect between drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

All road users have the right to a safe passage and everyone needs to do their part in keeping the roadways safe, not matter how you choose to travel. In busy areas, like the Jersey Shore in the summer, knowing your part in sharing the road is key to creating a travel-friendly environment. Whether you choose to ride, walk, or driver, we have a few key tips for all road users!

Bicyclists:

• Ride Right, meaning with traffic.
• Behave as a vehicle, meaning         stop at stop signs and use turn           signals.
• Watch the door zone of         distracted drivers
• Get to know NJ’s bike laws!
• Get a bell to alert others on the         road when you are approaching.

Pedestrians:

• Stick to the sidewalks or walk to the left side of the street! (Ride         Right, Walk Left!)
• Cross at crosswalks! Jay walking could earn you a $54 ticket.
• Cross at the “walk sign.”

Drivers:

• Scan the road for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Be prepared to stop.
• Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks or you could face a $200 fine         and two points.
• Slow down! A small increase in speed can make the biggest         difference. Pedestrians and bicyclists are less protected and more         vulnerable. If a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle traveling at 20         MPH they have a 90% chance of surviving, if hit at 40 MPH         that number drops to a 10% chance of surviving.

Vacationing On Transit

Written by Judy Bortman

Remember the fun of putting on a costume, hiding your identity and being playful, even downright silly. Was the last time that happened on Halloween? Was it recently or when you were a kid? Perhaps you felt that way on your last vacation. I did.

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
-Neale Donald Walsch

A recent getaway had me wondering why vacations bring out that sense of adventure and the confidence to try something new. Escaping from our routines, familiar people and settings sets us free and brings an infusion of Indiana Jones bravado to explore new places, foods, ideas and behaviors. In Australia, I gave in to culinary curiosity and tried kangaroo jerky, hiked up hills to dig for geodes, walked on a rope-bridge adventure ride and navigated a foreign transit system.

Taking public transit on vacation can be an adventure, especially for first-time or infrequent users. Transit systems in metropolitan cities, domestic or foreign, are typically user-friendly and cost-effective. Consider the expense of renting a car, paying for gas and parking. (Many hotels charge a parking fee which is often $40 or more per night.)

Inspired by need and convenience during my vacation, I decided to take the train to a family get-together. I walked about five minutes to a suburban station to catch the train to a nearby city. Just to be on the safe side, I arrived early to ask questions, get a ticket and see where to electronically “touch on” my ticket and ask where to “touch off” upon exiting. Electronic signs and billboards let me know how many minutes until the train would arrive and which track to watch. The train ride gave me a chance to relax, see the sights, and reminded me how relaxing and efficient it can be to take public transit.

Wikihow has tips on using public transit when traveling that include getting or printing a map in advance, searching for local transit stations and selecting a hotel near a station or one with shuttle service.

Walking, where feasible, is also a great way to see local sites. Plus, bike share systems are continuing to pop up in many urban areas. Some cities even have bike tours geared for tourists. Just think, using public transit, walking or biking on vacation can save money and leave more in your get-away budget for seeing sights, dining and new adventures that get you out of your comfort zone.

Your experience with public transit may even carry-over to post-vacation life. Consider commuting by train or bus even a few days a week. Just think how nice it would be to have a less stressful ride to and from work, catch up on reading, prepare for a meeting or just relax. Taking public transit for an outing to New York City and walking to your destination is another way to bring that vacation feeling home.

It’s been said that vacations, even if you never leave home, help you unwind, de-stress and recharge. The time away from your routine is often a time to regroup, gain insights, generate new ideas, build confidence for trying new things and bring renewed energy when you return to “real life.”

Whether you’re exploring a U.S. or foreign city, jumping in the water at the Jersey Shore, taking a long bike ride, visiting an amusement park, gazing at exhibits in a museum or observing life while strolling through a nearby city, take a moment to recharge your battery and, if the Halloween spirit moves you, venture outside your comfort zone. It’s certain to be the reason you return to work with a calmer demeanor and a mellow smile, what my daughter calls “vacation glow.” You can try to savor that feeling for as long as you can, or you can bring part of your vacation home and make transit travel an everyday reality.