To the Editor:

Let’s roll out the Princeton welcome mat on Saturday, August 28 for about 400 bicyclists who are participating in a ride from New York to Philadelphia. The riders will arrive in Princeton around 2 p.m. and will spend the night enjoying all that Princeton and the surrounding area has to offer, including its many fine restaurants.

Come meet the riders at their base camp at the Princeton YMCA at 59 Paul Robeson Place during their visit and cheer them as they push off at 9 a.m. to complete their ride to Philadelphia on Sunday morning. It is also not too late to sign up to volunteer to provide logistical support for the riders. Please visit Princeton’s municipal website at princetonnj.gov and follow the link under “News and Announcements” to learn more. We need your help to make this event a resounding success!

The 125-mile ride benefits the East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA) which leads a coalition of national, state, and local partners to build a safe biking and walking route that connects 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. The goal of the East Coast Greenway is not only to connect the towns and cities but also to foster healthy lifestyles, accessible transportation, community engagement, climate resilience, and active tourism. In our local area, the Delaware and Raritan Canal Tow Path is part of the East Coast Greenway and the Lawrence Hopewell Trail is a connector. Imagine getting on the East Coast Greenway in Princeton and riding south to Florida and north to Maine!

Many factors contributed to the selection of Princeton as the overnight host site. It has earned the coveted designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community, in fact, it is ranked “Most Bike-Friendly Town in New Jersey.” Princeton was awarded a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community award by the League of American Bicyclists in 2020. Princeton is one of only six Bicycle Friendly Communities in the state and the only one in the state to attain the silver level. In addition to being an exemplar of a bike-friendly town, Princeton has historical significance, is the home of Princeton University, and has a wide range of fine restaurants and shops.

Join us on August 28 and/or 29 to show our guests just how bike-friendly Princeton is and to encourage them to return for a more leisurely visit.

David E. Cohen
Princeton Councilman, Witherspoon Street

Lisa Serieyssol
Chair, Princeton Pedestrian and Bicycle
Advisory Committee, Witherspoon Street

Eleanor V. Horne
Co-President, Lawrence Hopewell Trail
Blackwell Road