It’s news to many drivers, but we would never have had paved roads without the work of bicycle riders way back when most routes were wagon-rutted dirt.

Bicycles beat the automobile as the choice for touring until the car became the main mode of transportation.

We’ve been working on ways to share the roads ever since.

Throughout the country, a movement is under way to make every road a “complete street” by designing it to serve the needs of vehicle, bicycles and pedestrians. The state of NJ has enacted a complete streets policy and the Morris Area Freewheelers Foundation fully supports local efforts to understand more about the benefits.

Of course, if walkers or cyclists would rather be on vehicle-free path or trail, there are many options in our area. The growing path and trail network also has seen cyclists in the lead through groups like the Rails to Trails organization.