Dedicated to engaging all Venturans to lower CO2 emissions. We influence policy, provide tools and expertise for lifestyle change, support a localized green economy, and foster a grass-roots community that supports sustainable living.
VCCool is a 501(c)(3) based in Ventura, California.
Bicyclists and Pedestrians make up a whopping 25% of all traffic injuries and fatalities in Southern California. (2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System)
And currently 21% of all trips in the So Cal Region are done via walking and bicycling. (2009 National Household Travel Survey)
This Spring the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) a six-county planning agency, will vote on a new Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) that will affect 18 million people. It is a 25 year plan that won't be revised till 2016. The draft RTP now out for public comment recommends 1.3% of the budget for walking and bicycling investments. How can 1.3% of the funds tackle 25% of the safety issues, and 21% of the trips?
In addition, there are so many reasons our communities desperately need to switch to "Active Transportation." From childhood obesity and diabetes, to the climate change crisis, to rising gas prices in a struggling economy, we need safe, viable bicycle and pedestrian routes. We simply cannot afford to wait another four years to start working on the solution!
Please sign our petition today, and urge SCAG to increase the RTP budget for safer bicycle and pedestrian routes to 5% - 8%. (Cost methodology for a bikeable/walkable region developed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
Public comment ends February 2012, so it's critical to add your voice in support of active transportation biking and walking today, and then invite your friends!
Petition: Increase Funding for Active Transportation
Whereas 25% of roadway injuries and fatalities in the SCAG Region are bicyclists and pedestrians.
Whereas childhood obesity and diabetes in our communities have reached epidemic levels.
Whereas public roadways must be accessible to all people, including those who cannot afford the skyrocketing prices of gasoline.
Whereas bicycle infrastructure costs for lanes, wear and tear on roads, and parking space are exponentially lower than those for cars and buses, at a time when State funding for cities and counties has been drastically cut.
Whereas a large portion of people living in Southern California do not own a drivers license, including all people under the age of 16.
Where 10% of the households in the SCAG Region do not own cars.
Whereas California Senator Barbara Boxer, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in her December 7th, 2011 press conference stated that climate change is an "...urgent threat facing the globe."
Whereas State law AB 32 requires California to lower greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, the equivalent of taking approximately 28 million cars off State roads.
Whereas 40% of all trips people make are 2 miles or less. (National Household Travel Survey.)
I therefore respectfully petition the Southern California Association of Governments to amend the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan, increasing the amount for Active Transportation to 5%-8%.
NOTE: Your e-mail is strictly for the purposes ID for this petition.
Sign the Petition
Signatures
Collected so far:
487 signatures
Goal:
5000 signatures
Fullname
Comment
Linda van Ligten
I strongly urge SCAG to increase the RTP budget for safer bicycle and pedestrian routes to 5% - 8%.
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Don Howard
Dee Falasco
Keith Peters
Douglas Littell
biking is usually faster than driving if the distance is less than 2 miles, especially if the infrastructure encourages it!
Barbara Paton Gardner
Help encourage people to ride bikes or walk with additional funds.
Janine Schoncite
More public transit
ALFONSO MITRA
Joseph Chaikin
Dennis Esguerra
Catherine M. Gentile
LORI DUFFY
Sandra E. Kroll
Evelyn Carpenter
Protecting those who can choose to walk or use a bicycle for transportation shoulod be seen as a logical first priority.
gaynor willmott
Mark Maxwell
Biking from the government center to the beach is miserable.
Monday, November 14 7:00pm to 9:30pm Zanzilla 2750 E. Main St., Ventura - near Smart and Final / Downstairs
Suggested Donation $5, Children Under 12 Free
Book-signing & Talk with Patricia Foreman
Got Chickens? A desire for sustainable, clean, wholesome food, superior soil quality, and a closer connection to where our food comes from, has led more and more suburban and city dwellers to keep laying hens in their backyards and gardens. Across America municipalities are allowing, and even encouraging, residents to keep laying hens within city limits.
Join Patricia Foreman, author of “City Chicks” Keeping Micro-flocks of Chickens as Garden Helpers, Compost Makers, Bio-recyclers and Local Food Suppliers, for a talk and book-signing as she shares her humor, passion, and extensive knowledge about raising chickens in the cities and suburbs of America.
See how the Ventura City Council Candidates answer 8 critical green questions. Read what they want to do about climate change action, a plastic bag ban, bicycle improvement funding, and more, at VCCool's On-Line Green Questionnaire.
VCCool solicited questions from across our community for a broad perspective on the importance of a greener Ventura. From labor unions to high-tech solar, and from surfers to cyclists, people care about green.
This weekend is our 5th Annual Kids' Bicycle Safety Rodeo! We are a main attraction at SummerFest, and this year we have lots of new exciting features, including something special for parents.
If you have kids from 4-17 come check us out this Saturday!
But First - A Huge thank you to our sponsors!!
Thank you for 2 new Specialized Bicycles, hundreds of free Helmets, Bicycle Gloves, and more!! • Channel Islands Bicycle Club • Specialized Bicycles • Open Air Bicycle Shop
Thank you for Volunteering, Printing, and Food and much more!!! • Channel Islands High School Mountain Bike Club • Pacific Coast Bike Craft - local bicycle repairs • Ventura Educational Partners (VEP) • Ventura Police Department • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – California Ventura Mission • City of Ventura • Ventura High School • Petite Reve Café • Caffrodite Coffee • Fausset Printing • Trader Joe’s • Fresh and Easy • Java Joe's
VCCool's 5th Annual Kids' Bicycle Safety Rodeo Saturday, May 21st 9:00am to 1:30pm 255 W. Stanley Ave, Ventura (close to Hwy 33)
Free to the public - An event is especially for kids and families (at SummerFest)
This event encourages kids to enjoy bicycling, while teaching them about safety, and making sure they have the proper equipment!
This year's theme is "Bikes Build Friends." In addition to safety - it's all about cyclists coming together, having fun, and supporting each other.
What's up?
Checking helmets - if kids have one that fits, they'll get a free pair of bike gloves.
Checking bikes - minor repairs if needed
Learning arm signals and traffic skills
A special quiz and prizes for parents.
Know someone who really needs a bike? We have close to 20 bicycles to give away this year - including 2 brand new bikes from Specialized. But this year, it's not about winning a bike for yourself! You write a paragraph to help someone else who really needs a bike get one. VCCool staff will read all nomination entries. Winners will be announced in June.
If you haven’t heard – VBU rocked the house last Monday night ! Ventura City Council unanimously passed the Ventura Bicycle Master Plan, including input from three years of VBU effort, as well as every item on our 27 point addendum (with the exception of lights at Leighton and Warner on Ventura Avenue).
(The Ventura Bicycle Union is a project of VCCool)
