HAZLET, NJ — The Township of Hazlet is being recognized for its efforts to make it safer and easier for students to walk and bike to school.
EZ Ride will honor Hazlet with a Silver Award through the New Jersey Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Recognition Program at its 2026 Annual Recognition Event on Sept. 24 at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.
The recognition highlights Hazlet's longstanding commitment to creating safer, more accessible routes for students while encouraging active transportation and healthy lifestyles.
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For families in Hazlet, efforts that improve safety around schools can have an impact well beyond the school day. Creating safer routes for students can also encourage children to be more active while helping address traffic congestion around school properties.
Longtime Hazlet resident Susan Loanne commented, “Hazlet is a great community and having safer ways for students to walk or bike to school gives families another reason to feel good about the community we live in. It’s a great accomplishment for Hazlet.”
Three Hazlet schools will also be recognized during the event for their work supporting student safety, healthy lifestyles and transportation initiatives.
Raritan Valley Elementary School will receive a Silver Award, while Sycamore Drive Elementary School will receive a Bronze Award. Beers Street School will receive a First Step Award.
The New Jersey Safe Routes to School Program is part of a nationwide effort to encourage students to safely walk and bike to school. The program brings together communities, schools and transportation partners to promote safer, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods.
Hazlet's recognition is part of a larger statewide effort. EZ Ride will recognize 220 schools and 75 municipalities through its SRTS awards program. The event will also recognize 11 businesses for leadership in electric vehicle adoption.
The annual event brings together transportation, education, government and community leaders from throughout New Jersey to recognize partnerships focused on mobility, safety and sustainability.
Featured presentations will include Stefanie Scharf of Uber Health, who will highlight EZ Ride's work to expand transportation access; Teaneck Deputy Mayor Denise Belcher, who will discuss the township's Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School initiatives; and Dr. Erick Alfonso, superintendent of Belleville Public Schools, who will discuss the district's leadership in transportation electrification.
EZ Ride is a nonprofit public-private partnership that works with businesses and governments to develop transportation solutions designed to reduce costs, improve efficiency and make travel easier and safer for the communities they serve.
For Hazlet, the Silver Award represents a community wide effort to make getting to and from school safer while encouraging students to incorporate walking and biking into their daily routines.