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.
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:
830 signatures
Goal:
5000 signatures
Fullname
Comment
Terry E. De Wolfe
Aaron Resendez
I would like to commute to work by bicycle, but there isn't a good and safe path.
DresteQuastut
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Eric Oien
Jose Ayala
i ride through Benedict Canyon, please make it safe. thank you
John Meyer
Korina Matyas
robert eckhoff
Darrell Clarke
jerry persky
Omar Ramirez
Mara Petrick
I commute to my graduate internship at CMH in Ventura 3 days a week. I strongly encourage action on this initiative.
Thomas P Harvey
One step, one mile forward.
JULIUS CEASAR SILVA
Peter Ungar
Bicycles are an important part of our lives and we must do everything possible to encourage more cycling and less driving automobiles.
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has proposed a draft Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) with less than 1% of the budget going toward bicycle transportation. The VBU presented a letter and testified on October 20, then sent a second letter. Thanks to our efforts and other across the state - "Active Transportation" is now on the table for discussion.
We now have a 45 day response period, ending in February. We strongly urge individuals, organizations, and businesses from across Ventura County to write or call SCAG and urge them to increase the budget for bicycle transportation. If you can help - please drop us an e-mail.
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)
VCCool's 4th Annual Kids' Bicycle Safety Rodeo - Photo Album and Volunteer Thank You!
Thank You - Thank You, to the dozens of Volunteers who made this July's kids bicycle event, totally awesome. We estimate 450 participants, and over 60 volunteers.
One of the most Beautiful pages on the Entire Internet!
VCCool is thrilled to thank the dozens upon dozens of volunteers, businesses, and organizations that helped put on this year's 4th Annual Kids' Bicycle Safety Rodeo! Your care, your time, your funds, your resources, your heart-felt interaction with each child is the heart of this community. Congratulations!!
There are over 50 volunteers pictured here, plus more listed below. If we missed someone, or got your name wrong - please let us know.
