Active Transportation
By Nicole Burgess Advocate for Healthy Communities
Personal Background
Advocate for Active Transportation and our Youth Mom of 3 with kids at OB Elementary, Dana Middle, and Correia Junior High Member of Sandags Ped/Bike Working Group with 18 other cities in SD region Participate in roundtables w/Safe Routes to Schools Chair for District 2 Bike/Ped Advisory Committee BS in Physical Science - Credentialed Teacher Commercial Real Estate Developer Certified Yoga Teacher My vision is to see San Diego become a bicycle friendly city and create a culture of active riders
Active Transportation
Creates
Healthy Children A Healthy Community
And a Healthy Planet!
#1 Reason people do not bike is Fear
Too Many Cars Rough Roads Too Dangerous
Or is it just that people are too lazy?
Obesity Rates 1 in 3 Americans, adults and children, are obese.
These numbers continue to increase year after year. One out of three children will have diabetes at a young age.
Visit: [Link] to see a visual of the US and the dramatic increase of obesity in the past 20 years.
Youre safer riding a bike then sitting on the couch
Lack of daily exercise is harmful to your health, while physical activity keeps your body healthy. Cycling extends your life daily exercise for a minimum 30 minutes extends your lifespan by up to five years.
For the entire article, visit: [Link]
San Diego Can Become a Bicycle Friendly City
It takes a Champion at the top Transportation Funds Advocate $$ be spent on Healthy Community Projects Financially Beneficial Sustainable We have the most beautiful weather for it. San Diego is a main destination for cross country travelers.
District 2 Bike/Ped Advisory Committee
Top Priorities - Improving Facilities
Nimitz Blvd - Initiate SD City to
apply for funds to Connect SD River Trail to Harbor Drive with a Class 1 Facility (ie. Cycle Track) Request for Sharrows in the area Safe Routes to Schools - Crosswalks, sidewalks, lighting, and safety measures around school sites Improvements on Catalina and Canon Corridor through Downtown, Little Italy and Old Town Bike Blvd on Bacon Street Mission Blvd/LJ Blvd near Loring Famosa Bike Park Education throughout the PLCS schools Creating Bicycle Friendly Business Districts
Sharrows on Voltaire!! Coming to Chatsworth and Ebers
Sharrows are shared lane markings on the pavement, towards center of the lane. Sharrows are used to remind motorists that bicyclists are allowed to lawfully use this portion of a lane. Sharrows help facilitate the direction cyclists should be riding. Sharrows are most useful when a lane is too narrow for a bicycle rider to share a lane safely side-by-side with a motor vehicle. This is especially important in the presence of onstreet parked motor vehicles so that bicyclists are reminded to avoid the Door Zone.
Appropriate signage is also added.
Safe Routes To Schools
Federal and State Grants Available
Encourages safe passages to schools through walking and biking. Improves transportation facilities at schools and around schools. Include safety education curriculum and best practices. Needs community support
Ill take my chances on a Bike
Approximate Fatalities Each Year in the US
35,000 car fatalities
4,000 pedestrian fatalities
700 cyclist fatalities
#1 Cause of Teen Deaths is Car Accidents
Overcome The Fear!
Become Independent Feel Great Decrease Pollution Stay Fit Enjoy the the Outdoors Relieve Stress Socialize with Friends Financial Reasons Become less dependent on foreign oil Interact with the community Joy!
Basic Math Question
The average American spends $6,000/year on transportation. If a high school student makes $10/hour, how many 40 hour weeks will this individual need to work to pay for their transportation needs?
Answer: 15 weeks Approximately 4 Months
Incentives
According to AAA, it costs, on average, $0.70/mile to drive a vehicle.
Sponsor a Child
You Can Do it! Your Child can definitely do it!
The challenge is to bike, walk, or roll to any destination within two miles.
Put your keys away and let your legs do the work. Realize that every time a car travels any distance, it is warming up our environment. If you must drive, please avoid idling and turn car off when waiting.
Upcoming Events
Bike to Work Month National Bike to School - May 9 Education Classes at OB Elementary, Silvergate, and Dana Middle May 6 Community Ride in Liberty Station Kidical Mass 9:30am-12noon
District 2 Bike/Ped Meeting Tuesday, May 15 @ 6:30pm
St. Peters Lutheran Church on Point Loma Blvd and Sunset Cliffs Blvd
Enjoy Your Commute
And some fun quotes by fellow riders.
Some people will never realize how great riding a bike really is. (Bob)
I buy all organic with money saved on gas and gym fees
Once I got rid of my car, a load of stress went away (Heather)
Great thoughts, smiles,and adventures happen while commuting on a bike (Anna)
I gave up my car a year and a half ago, and never looked back.
(Joe with a grin)
Riding makes me feel like Im 7 years old again. And if Im riding with a bunch of kids it makes me feel like 12 and in charge. (Allie)
Live
Love
Ride
Final Note to Motorists
Please stay attentive, lay off the cell phone, and watch safely as we all occupy the streets together.
We thank you for your time.
If we can do it - So can you!
Contact: Nicole Burgess at nicole23@[Link] to become more Active
Resources
District 2 Pedestrian/Bicycle Advisory Committee nicole23@[Link] Sandag Pedestrian/Biking Working Group Tom Landre -City Contact San Diego County Bicycle Coalition Walk San Diego [Link] [Link] PB Library - Bikes to Books Program
Suit up And Ride
Great moments happen on a bike.
Active Transportation advocates for healthy communities and healthy children. Creates one to think about how they too can save money, stay fit, release stress, and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. Transform District 2 and the San Diego Region into a bicycle friendly community. Initiate the value of facility improvement for pedestrians and cyclists. Value our youth and the environments we create for them. Encourage others to protect our planet and become more sustainable.
For every trip taken by bike, that is one less vehicle on the road.
We are safer in numbers!