By ALAN KARMIN
Correspondent
WOODBRIDGE – In 2020, Woodbridge Township earned the designation as a “Healthy Town” by New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute and the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign.
And, recently, the Township continued its movement toward a healthier community by initiating a bike sharing program for residents.
The township purchased and placed 20 bicycles in three locations: Tanzman Park, Downtown Woodbridge; Ferry Street Park, Sewaren; and East William Street Park, Fords.
Bikes are free to rent from dawn to dusk and must be returned damage-free within 12 hours, using the Movatic App.
Woodbridge Township Councilman Gregg Ficarra is the chairman of the Woodbridge Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. Ficarra said the committee is excited about its designation and that efforts will continue to provide new health-driven programs for residents of the community.
“We are very proud to be a Healthy Town,” he said. “It’s a tedious process and we have worked hard to attain that. We are one of the first to get that designation.”
Ficarra said the new bike sharing program is a part of the township’s commitment to its alliance with Sustainable Jersey and efforts to provide a better community for residents.
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future, according to its website. The mission is to “Empower New Jersey communities to build a better world for future generations with the tools, training and financial incentives necessary to pursue critical sustainability initiatives.”
“We are in a geographic situation where we are surrounded by wonderful healthcare institutions – JFK Medical Center in Edison, Raritan Bay hospital in Perth Amboy, and Robert Wood Johnson (University Hospital) in Rahway,” Ficarra said. “And in partnership with them, we are going to do our part to bring opportunities for better health and wellness within our community.”
Ficarra added that there are various events planned for the upcoming months – including a soon to be announced bicycle event in September – that are driven by health and wellness.