Orchard School Students Master the “ABCs of Safety” with EZ Ride & Ridgewood Police
photos courtesy of Ridgewood Schools
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The walk to school just got a lot safer for the students at Orchard Elementary. In a special community partnership, the Ridgewood Police Department and EZ Ride visited our campus today to transform the playground into a classroom for pedestrian and bicycle safety.
From the “Stop, Look, and Listen” rule to the proper way to strap on a helmet, our students are now equipped with the essential skills to navigate Ridgewood’s streets with confidence.
Why These Safety Lessons Matter
Walking or biking to school isn’t just a great way to stay active—it helps students arrive at school alert and ready to learn. However, with morning traffic and busy intersections, mastering the basics is vital. Today’s session focused on three core pillars:
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The “Stop, Look, and Listen” Protocol: Students practiced stopping completely at corners, looking left-right-left, and making eye contact with drivers before crossing.
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Helmet Habits: A quick “Think” check to ensure helmets are snug, level, and buckled every single time.
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Driveway Awareness: Learning to watch for reversing cars and “hidden” exits.
Who is EZ Ride?
You may have seen their shuttles around town, but EZ Ride is a non-profit Transportation Management Association (TMA) that does much more than just transit.
As part of the New Jersey Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, EZ Ride works with municipalities like Ridgewood to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Their expert team provides:
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Educational Workshops: Interactive safety talks like the one held at Orchard today.
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Walk & Bike Audits: Assessing local streets to recommend safety improvements.
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Community Support: Helping schools earn safety recognition awards and infrastructure grants.
A Community Effort
The Ridgewood Police Department continues to be a staple in our schools, bridging the gap between enforcement and education. By partnering with EZ Ride, our officers are ensuring that safety isn’t just a set of rules—it’s a community-wide culture.
Parent Tip: Ask your child tonight about the “ABC Check” for their bike (Air, Brakes, and Chain). It’s a great way to reinforce today’s lessons at home!
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Tags: #RidgewoodNJ, #SchoolSafety ,#EZRide, #SafeRoutesToSchool, #OrchardElementary, #PedestrianSafety ,#CommunityStrong,
