Take a look at this article from Esquire Magazine about how people may be changing their driving habits and, not necessarily due to high gas prices and a poor economy, but endeavoring to lead a more car free existence.
Way to go America!
Cindy
According to health experts as stated in yesterday's New York Times article, in 20 years traffic injuries could bethe 5th leading cause of death world wide, surpassing AIDS and tuberculosis. Currently, it is in 9th place as shown in a recently published report financed by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The main victims of such traffic injuries are pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycles.
Read the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/16/world/16traffic.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all
Wow. Need we say more.
There is a lot going on this Thursday. Join in the fun.
5:30 - Kidicle Mass at Mitchel park, 5:30. Bring your kids and take over the streets of SLO, then enjoy farmers with the family. Download June4kidical for more info.
9:30 - Bike Happening. Theme is To the Nines as it is the Anniversary of the happening. Come dressed up, or not, but don't forget your bike as we respectfully ride the streets of downtown SLO.
Following on the first Kidical Mass, which attracted more than 100 parents and kids on all types of self-propelled set-ups: scooters, tag-a-longs, trikes, bikes with training wheels, and trailers, the second event will be June 4th, starting at Mitchell Park and ending at the Bike Valet in Farmers' Market. This time the Children's Museum will be at the park prior to the event to assist kids to make their own bike flags. For more information click here.
On the same evening, the 9th anniversary of the Bike Happening will be celebrated, everyone will meet up at the Mission at 9:30 p.m. "Dressed to the Nines" is the appropriate theme. Check out the website for more details.
Cindy
Here's your outlet. Thanks Mike for sending this our way: http://www.mycommutesucks.org
Recently, SLO County did a Green House Gass (GHG) Inventory and discovered that 66.7%, let me say that again, 66.7% of GHG emissions in San Luis Obispo County are attributed to TRANSPORTATION. The rest of the pie is broken down into: other 10%, waste .8%, residential 9.3%, and commercial/industrial 14.8%. Wow. That means that if we can change our commute habits, we can drastically reduce GHG emission in our County. GHG's are attributed to climate change, which may have a big part in our shortage of rainfall and rise in temperatures in SLO County. Have you noticed the decrease in rainfall that we've had in the past few years?
In response to these findings, the County is planning to prepare a Climate Action Plan to reduce these levels. More info here: http://www.slocleanair.org/programs/climatechange_general.php. County Planning Newsletter here: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/AssetFactory.aspx?did=20298
As Rideshare Staff, we continually drive (no pun intended) the message that by taking the bus, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking or telecommuting we can make an impact on our air quality. Now, we can change that by saying, we can have a HUGE impact on our air quality. Not to mention that the money saved by not driving alone can otherwise be spent on our local economy (which could use a little boost) and also increase physical health (which could use a big boost, as our county has the highest childhood obesity rate on the Central Coast).
If you're reading this, chances are you already do your part to decrease vehicle emissions, miles and trips. Thank you. Please help us spread the word about our program so that we may help others in our mission to move people, not cars.
-MNM
Did you know that casual biking burns up about 173 calories per hour? Another very good reason to ride!
Also, the average family spends about $8,000 on operating a car but a yearly bike tune-up only costs about $50!
Have you heard about the Cyclists' Bill of Rights? Download for more information....
Finally, here is some of the music played at the Downtown celebrations of the Bike to Work Day in Minneapolis:
Pedal your blues away - Cheap Suit Serenaders
Cycling is Fun - Shonen Knife
Bicycle Race - Queen
Schwinn 24 - Kinky Friedman
Bicycle Rush - The Maccabees
Have a great pedaling weekend!
Cindy
What a huge success. A BIG thank you to Vanessa who organized the event, to all the volunteers and of course to all the families that showed their support. That was fun! Pictures are posted in the photo album (right hand nav).
Also, for you parents who would like to see this sort of thing happen at your school (called a Bike to School Day), let us know and we can help. Our Safe Routes to School program provides all the tools to promote biking to and around schools.
Great work everyone!
-MNM
A big Shout Out to Ms. David's 5th Grade Class at Nipomo Elementary for winning the Bike Month Poster Contest! It was a tough decision with lots of great entries. The winning poster(s) are hanging up at the Bike Month Art Gallery (1190 Osos Street) along with other Bike Art pieces. For winning the poster contest, Mrs. David's class has won a Pizza Party sponsored by Pizza Fusion and tons of other fun prizes. Congratulations!!
