Share the Ride - SLO Regional Rideshare

Biking for a Cause

Isn't it amazing what people will do for a cause?  Check out this story of a fantastic senior from New Jersey who just keeps giving!

I need to follow her pedal participation,

Cindy

New Photo Album for Rideshare Month 2009!

Check out the photos from last Thursday's Rideshare Month Kick-Off event at Farmers Market in our online photo album (right hand column of blog). We'll be posting more photos as they come in.

Cheers!

New Fareboxes and Routes Changes for RTA

RTA, our regional transit system that follows the 101 and highway 1 corridor, has been very busy lately. They have added new fareboxes (the thing that takes your pass when you board the bus) and they are proposing some route changes. A public hearing for the route changes is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13th from 4:30-6:30 at the Ramona Garden Park. More information about the route changes on Rt 9, 10 and 12A can be found at www.slorta.org.

What stories will our children have to tell?

We all know the line our parents and grandparents have often proclaimed: "when I was your age, I walked 10 miles, up hill, both ways, barefoot in the snow to get to and from school". While this of course is a bit of a stretch and makes for a good laugh, this age old tale actually makes a good point. What happened to that age when children walked to school, maybe up hill, possibly a mile or so, or even just a few blocks? It seems today that most young whipper snappers are missing out on the opportunity to to develop this wisdom as most parents are now choosing to chauffeur their children from the driveway to the school yard. Although much has changed since our parents and grandparents embarked on this daily journey, with the way things are now, what story will our children tell?  " When I was your age, I had to.......sit in traffic"? Not quite the same effect.

An article in the New York Times addressed this very issue asking "Why Can't She Walk to School?" with answer being fear, not from the children but from the parents. And this isn't only a Big City issue, a boy in Arroyo Grande was picked up by the police when walking to a friend's house.

Walking and biking to school helps teach children independence, responsibility, gives them a little sense of what it feels like to be out in the world on their own and gets their blood flowing before they sit in a classroom all day. Parents of course need to be smart about letting their children walk and bike because not every situation is safe for kids to do so, however do we want to teach our children that they need to be afraid of the world or do we want to give them the tools they need face life's challenges? And they don't have to do it alone, partner up with a freind, or go with them. It will help save  money on gas, and provide an opportunity to share a new experience with your kids.

By teaching our children how to be safe and putting a little trust in them, walking and biking could significantly improve the well being of the future generation both their personal health and that of their environment. Its time to embrace the fable of our ancestors and begin to change the way our children get to school, if not for all the reason's above at least to give them a little something to brag about.

BUS STOP CHANGES @ CAL POLY!

Due to the renovation and construction being carried out at the University Union, both the Regional Transit Authority (R.T.A.) and SLO Transit are making changes to their routes in this area:

SLO Transit:     All buses will be stopping at the Kennedy Library.  Route 5 will be on the north side of the street and 4, 6A & 6b will be on the south side of the street.  Route 5 will make a right turn off of Grand on to Perimeter Road and come around to the library and then make a left on to California.  All the other routes will come in on California to Perimeter Road.  Routes 4 and 6B will then continue around Perimeter to Grand and 6A will turn left on to University.  Any inquiries, please call 541-2877

R.T.A.:            There are two new stops located as follows:

Kennedy Library:  Route 9 NB - Hourly at :42 - Express @ 4:24 & 5:24 PM

                          Route 9 SB - Hourly at :18 - Express @ 6:33 & 7:33 AM

                          Route 10 - 7:23 AM and 5:15 PM

                          Route 12 NB - Hourly at :42 - Express @ 5:29 PM

                          Route 12 SB - Hourly at :14 - Express @ 7:32 AM

Performing Arts Center:

                          Route 9 NB - Hourly at :43 - Express @ 4:25 & 5:25 PM

                          Route 9 SB - Hourly at :17 - Express at 6:32 & 7:32 AM

                          Route 10 - 7:24 AM and 5:16 PM

                          Any inquiries, please call 541-2228

                         

           

Kennedy Library: Route 9 NB

Another triumph for cycling!

Recently there was an article in the L.A. Times about a car-free cyclist who was unable to purchase food at a drive-through in Portland, Oregon.  Read all about it and how victory was attained!

Absolutely Amazing

Have used/old/new bike tubes? Recycle them with the Bike Kitchen.

Taken directly from the SLO Bike Kitchen Email Newsletter...we wanted to share this with our readers, because we think it is really neat.

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Recycle Those Tubes!
SLO Bike Kitchen is taking a step forward in fulfilling its goal of local environmental stewardship.  Effective immediately - you can drop off used bicycle tubes to be recycled/remanufactured at the following locations:

- Foothill Cyclery
- Wally's Bicycle Works
- Art's Cyclery SLO
- Cambria Bicycle Outfitter (CBO)
- San Luis Rides

Sizes accepted: 26" (mountain bike), 27" (vintage) and 700x35 or larger (fat road tires). Sorry, we can't accept 700x23. If in doubt, drop it off and we will figure it out.

No slimed tubes please - do not cut or otherwise modify the tubes you drop off.

We'll be doing a second round of drop-off points at non-bicycle shops next month.  If you have somewhere you want to see a recycling bucket, let us know!  We are also looking for volunteers to bring buckets to locations outside of SLO (city) and bring the tubes to SLO periodically.

Also, if you notice that one of the buckets is full somewhere, drop us a note so we can go empty it.

Want more info? Visit www.slobikekitchen.org.

Location, Location, Location!!

A few months back we were informed that our agency, SLO Council of Governments, would be moving from our current building, where we had been comfortably settled for over 10 years, into another building, at the corner of Marsh Street and Santa Rosa.  We were all fairly happy about the news, but probably thought that moving day was so far off, that we would have plenty of time to plan, pack and organize.  All the experts tell us that moving house is one of life's most stressful experiences - it definitely is but moving office has to be even more agonising!   We had a master floor plan showing assigned offices but this seemed to change daily and we were continually going over how the furniture would fit.  The highlights of this anticipated move were an actual kitchen/break room, a very organized closet for our stationery, and everyone, including Rideshare, on one floor.

The physical move started on Friday, July 24th and continued for several days.  There were so many boxes to move and then we had to deal with very bulky items, which many employees just decided that no box was suitable and it was easier to carry by just walking it along Higuera Street!  We finally were able to get online and have some sort of telephone access, with the new phone system being implemented on August 4th. 

Most humans are creatures of habit and, now that we are in a different location, we are having to change our route to the coffee shop and remember to make another diversion into the parking area and bike rack.  Please come and visit us at 1114 Marsh Street, (corner of Marsh & Santa Rosa) we will welcome your diversion from finishing unpacking boxes!

Are Car Habits Changing?

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