Walkability In New Brunswick, Nj

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is considered a walkable city. With a Walk Score of 80 out of 100, most errands can be accomplished on foot, and the city also offers some public transportation options. The city has taken initiatives to improve walkability and pedestrian safety, such as installing flashing and high-volume crosswalks at various intersections. New Brunswick is also a bike-friendly city, with biking being a convenient mode of transportation for most trips. The city's walkability is further enhanced by its diverse and vibrant downtown area, which offers cultural attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Public transport options

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a very walkable city, with a Walk Score of 80 out of 100. Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and the city is also bike-friendly. The city has also taken several initiatives to improve pedestrian safety and walkability.

New Brunswick has a well-developed public transport system, which includes local shuttles, buses, and trains. The city is served by two train stations: New Brunswick Station in the heart of downtown New Brunswick, and Jersey Avenue in the southern portion of the city. Over 90 NJ Transit trains stop in New Brunswick each day.

Local Shuttles

• Dial-A-Ride: A free curb-to-curb transportation service for elderly (60+), disabled, and low-income residents. This service caters to non-emergency medical, mental health, and physical therapy appointments, as well as visits to social service agencies.
• BrunsQuick Shuttles: The 5th/6th Ward Shuttle is operated by Rutgers.
• MCAT Shuttles: The M1 New Brunswick-Jamesburg-Exit 8A and the M5 Jersey Ave-Commercial Ave routes are operated by Middlesex County.

Buses

• Rutgers Campus Buses: Rutgers operates the second-largest bus system in New Jersey and the largest campus bus system in the country. These buses are free and connect all campuses, including those in nearby Piscataway, as well as downtown New Brunswick.
• NJ Transit Bus: NJ Transit operates five bus routes through New Brunswick: 810, 811, 814, 815, and 818.
• CoachUSA/Suburban: This company operates three commuter bus routes in New Brunswick with service to NYC: Lines 100, 500, and 600.

Additionally, scooters are available to rent through a Rutgers agreement with Veoride/Rutgers. These scooters must be ridden on roads, sharrows, or bike lanes, and not on sidewalks.

New Brunswick also has a parking authority that operates parking decks in the downtown area and on-street metered parking.

Walk Score

New Brunswick, New Jersey, has a Walk Score of 80 out of 100, meaning that most errands can be accomplished on foot. The city has an average Walk Score of 73 and a population of around 55,000.

New Brunswick is a diverse city, known as both the "Hub City" and the "Healthcare City". It is a college town, home to Rutgers University, and a commuter town for those travelling to New York City. The city is also a regional commercial hub for central New Jersey, with corporate headquarters and production facilities of several global pharmaceutical companies.

The city has several parks, including Baker Park, Monument Square, and Kossuth Park. It also has some public transportation options and is considered a good location for biking.

New Brunswick has taken initiatives to improve pedestrian safety and walkability, such as installing flashing crosswalks and bold, high-volume crosswalks at various intersections. The city has also implemented measures to calm traffic and reduce speeding, including installing radar speed detectors and speed humps in certain areas.

Cycling

There are a variety of cycling routes to suit all abilities, from flat, easy rides to more challenging hilly routes. One popular route is the East Coast Greenway, which offers a network of well-used paved trails that wind through the city's parks. This route showcases the diversity of the city and offers a melting pot of cultural experiences. New Brunswick also hosts Ciclovia, an event where several miles of city streets are closed to traffic, creating a safe space for people to cycle, walk and play. This event occurs three times a year and is a great opportunity for cyclists to explore the city.

For those looking for a challenge, there are some more difficult routes, such as the Rutgers Ecological Preserve – Albany Street Bridge loop, which is an intermediate ride with some unpaved portions. The Neshanic Bridge loop is another option, offering a great view but requiring a good level of fitness.

The city is also taking steps to improve safety for cyclists, with plans to make river crossings more bike-friendly. Additionally, New Brunswick is home to Rutgers University, making it a popular place for students and staff to cycle to and from campus.

Overall, New Brunswick offers a range of cycling experiences, from quiet, flat roads to more challenging hilly routes, making it a great destination for cyclists of all levels.

Pedestrian safety

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is considered a walkable city, with a Walk Score of 80 out of 100. Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and there are a few public transportation options. Walking is often the quicker and cheaper way to get around the city.

However, New Jersey experiences a high number of pedestrian injury crashes and fatalities compared to the rest of the United States. To improve pedestrian safety, the City of New Brunswick has implemented several initiatives:

• Installing flashing crosswalks and bold, high-volume crosswalks at various intersections to make them more visible to motorists.
• Installing radar speed detectors on streets to monitor speeding cars, which pose a significant safety threat.
• Placing speed humps on several streets, including Remsen Avenue, Park Boulevard, and Van Dyke Avenue, to physically slow down speeding cars.
• Obtaining grant funding for the use of pedestrian decoys by the New Brunswick Police Department.
• Educating the community about pedestrian safety, with a particular focus on high-risk groups such as children, senior citizens, and non-English speaking residents.
• Enforcing pedestrian safety laws, such as requiring motorists to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and imposing tough penalties for those who don't.

These initiatives aim to make the walking experience in New Brunswick as enjoyable and safe as possible, while also promoting economic growth and attracting residents and employers who value walkability.

Downtown New Brunswick

The City Center's Theatre District is a cultural hub, drawing over 350,000 visitors annually from the tri-state area. It boasts a diverse performing arts scene, with international orchestras, Broadway musicals, world-class dance, and pop concerts. New Brunswick is also home to several impressive museums and galleries, including the Zimmerli Art Museum, offering a rich artistic experience for locals and tourists alike.

In addition to its cultural offerings, Downtown New Brunswick is known for its walkability and accessibility. The city has been taking initiatives to improve pedestrian safety and enhance the walking experience, such as installing flashing and visible crosswalks at various locations. The City of New Brunswick understands that a walkable city is conducive to economic growth, attracting both employers and residents. Most errands in the downtown area can be accomplished on foot, and the city has a Walk Score of 80 out of 100, reinforcing its reputation as a very walkable city.

New Brunswick also offers a range of transportation options, including public transportation and biking. The city is committed to ensuring that walking is a healthy, enjoyable, and safe option for residents, workers, and visitors, and has implemented measures to calm traffic and reduce speeding in residential neighbourhoods.

Overall, Downtown New Brunswick presents a unique blend of cultural attractions, culinary delights, and a walkable, vibrant atmosphere, making it a desirable destination for those seeking the conveniences of urban life within a close-knit community.

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