In this Sustainable Transportation Club newsletter:
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Meeting Announcement
- Sustainable Transport Club Meeting March 11th
- City Council meeting on March 14th
Sustainable Transportation Club Meeting
- Results from February
A Green Depot in Santa Monica takes a solid step forward
- Further support needed soon.
New letter to support a Green Depot in Santa Monica,
- Signatures needed
Bio Diesel Car Rentals opens in Westside
Green Drinks
- Building the Green Community March 2nd
Bike out needs support
Earth Day coming up April 15th
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You can find the subject you want by looking for the separator bars
with the row of XXXXX’s in this document.
Please send any relevant information for inclusion in this
newsletter.
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Meeting Announcement
Sustainable transport Club Meeting Saturday March 11th
10:00AM
Unurban Café, 33RD & PICO (across from Trader Joes)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Proposed Agenda
Strategy for working with the City’s Circulation Element program
– next step
The Green Depot idea – Building support and getting letters
- Getting groups to express their concerns and goals
Developing a Sustainable Transport Primer with three parts:
1, Sustainable, renewable fuels what they are and how to develop
them
2, Sustainable Vehicles including:
** Neighborhood transport vehicles of all kinds from bikes to NEV’s
** Mass transit from expo line to bus changes
3, Relocalization – building a city that does not need much
transport
This primer is to bring all the city staff and political people up to
speed on what is going on. Building awareness and consensus on
the problem is our next big step.
We are moving toward building a vision for implementing
Sustainable Transportation on the Westside. It is a vision that can
incorporate all of our ideas on how to take practical steps toward
that future. It is a vision that will need lots of support. It is a
vision that can become a model for other areas to work with and
implement.
It is a vision that takes form through our working together at the
next meeting. Please join us and bring as many friends as you
know are interested.
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Meeting reminder
City Council meeting on March 14th,
Tuesday at 6:45 Pm
Santa Monica City Hall 1685 Main Street
This meeting will be a chance to give support for a Bicycle safe
city and for the Green Depot. The Green Depot is a primary focus
right now as discussed below. This is a chance to put forward
what ever concerns and possibilities you might have about getting
your idea of sustainable transportation to become part of the work
in Santa Monica. The city council members definitely respond to
people supporting such ideas, particularly when such people
present themselves and their ideas in well
thought out presentations.
Your attendance will help get things going and provide support for
a sustainable future.
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Sustainable Transportation Club Meeting Results from February
The meeting was a good step forward in bringing Sustainable
transportation to Santa Monica.
The Club is really starting to take good shape with a core group of
strong activists. Everyone in the group is connected to both a
different part of the solution and groups of people who are
passionate about that solution. The group included:
A major Electric Vehicle Organizer
Two Strong Biodiesel Advocates
Two well connected bicycle organizers
Two enthusiastic neighborhood transport vehicle enthusiasts with a
passion for electric motor scooters
It would be great to get mass transits groups represented as well as
people specifically into the Expo line. Where are the local
Compressed natural gas people anyway?
We focused on two main points at the meeting:
****** Educating local political and government people about
sustainable transport and what needs to be done. This means
producing a -
- SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT PRIMER
to convey the vision and the possibilities to the powers that be.
****** Building a central location for us to get sustainable
transport to be a reality in Santa Monica – meaning creating the
most incredible Green Depot we can create.
We will discuss what the next steps will be at the
next Sustainable Transport Club meeting scheduled below.
The next steps also involve gaining support for the Green Depot.
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A Green Depot in Santa Monica takes a solid step forward - further
support needed soon.
The Green Depot has moved up a notch with the City of Santa
Monica. A Green Depot is now a STAFF recommendation for the
upcoming City budget priorities. That puts it solidly on the table
thanks to the leadership of Kevin McKeown and Joe Gershen. This
would be a great step forward for sustainable transportation in the area.
Both Kevin and Joe are members of the Sustainable Transport
Club and other Club members provided support for this effort. The
last meeting of the Club focused on this and how we can create the
Green Depot as a center for promoting sustainable transport in all
forms.
The Green Depot would be a place we can work to accomplish
specific goals for any form of sustainable transport. The bicycle
people in our group are working that through and are starting to get
clear goals we could work on through the Green Depot. Here are
some ideas that the bicycle focus group is discussing as a start for
those goals:
* Safe parking at all commercial areas
* A parallel Safe Routes circulation system for bicyclists to all
parts of the city
* Bicycle lanes that tie into neighboring communities’ bike lanes
for commutes up to 10 miles away
* Bicycle Boulevards specifically for use by bikes that require
cars to turn every six blocks or so.
* Safe storage at major transit hubs for all day or overnight
storage
* A bicycle library situation where people could check out bikes
for local use.
* Integration of bikes into all mass transit plans and
developments
* Building codes that support bicycle use from apartments and
condo's
* A bicycle kitchen type of location where people could work on
their own bikes with a good work space, tools and supplies (or)
* Bicycle support services at all parks and city facilities - flat
repair and air and ???
We can develop these sorts of goals for all of the types of
sustainable vehicles and for all of the sustainable fuel options. The
Green Depot is the potential vehicle we can use to accomplish
these goals.
The way to get your goals and interests represented by the Depot is
to jump in and help support it now. The Bicycle people can sign
on to support the Green Depot to the extent it meets their goals like
the one above. The Electric vehicle people can do the same, as can
any one of the groups involved.
We have a new letter of support for the Green Depot as discussed
below. Specific groups can gather the signatures on this
and that will help show who needs what and supports the Green
Depot working on their needs.
We will discuss this and other options at the next Sustainable
Transport Club meeting scheduled for February 11th – details
above.
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New Letter of Support for the Green Depot
In addition to the letter that focuses on Bio Diesel at the Green
Depot we have worked up a version that emphasizes other
Sustainable Alternates including bicycles and related neighborhood
transport vehicles. (NTV’s) This letter of support needs signatures
for this project. The letter along with a sign up sheet is posted on
line in an Adobe Acrobat – PDF format so you can print out a copy
to collect signatures.
www.sustainabletransportclub.com
These letters are being circulated and supported by various groups
and businesses in the area. We want to get them into the bike
shops so feel free to take one to your favorite store. The text is
listed below in case you want to put one together for your favorite
sustainable option.
You should still be able to find a copy of the first letter at any of
the places below. Hastings Plastics is also on board with the new
letter. Please make sure you sign one of these and show your
support. Printing one copy for you is cool also and getting your best friends on it is better.
HBO, Patagonia, Co-Opportunity Market, Urth Café,
CALSTART/WestStart, Natural High Lifestyle, Zen Zoo Tea Café,
Mobile Education Department of Natural History Museum of LA
County, Whole Foods Markets, Big Imagination Group, Youth
Mentoring Connection, Folio Gallery, Crossroads School, New
Roads School, Samohi Solar Alliance, Environmental Charter
High School
Here is the new letter:
Support for the Green Depot
The Sustainable Transport Club is gathering support for a Green
Depot in Santa Monica.
The Green Depot would create a center that will advance the
presence of sustainable transportation in the area. It started with a
vision of a sustainable energy center providing education and
outreach and helping people switch to sustainable fuels by
providing bio-diesel.
It would be possible to include additional components in the Green
Depot that would advance our movement away from our addiction
to imported oil. These components would support different types
of the sustainable transportation. The Green Depot can become a
central focal point for a range of different groups with an interest
in sustainable alternatives.
Bicycle interests can be advanced by the Green Depot acting as a
bicycle transit center along the lines of the one in Long Beach.
This would mean providing secure parking near a transit center or
near a high demand destination. It could also mean being a center
for a bike-sharing program of some kind. It could provide a place
for emergency basic repairs like dealing with flat tires. It would be
a repository for bike information and education to increase bike
use and safety for the riders.
Bicycles are one of the best-known members of a group of vehicles
that can be called the Neighborhood Transportation Vehicles of
NTV’s. These are all vehicles that move more slowly than cars
and more quickly than walking. Many of these are new
technologies that can off set congestion, parking and
environmental issues associated with cars. In addition to bicycles,
this group includes: electric bikes, electric mobility scooters,
skateboards (including electric ones), electric scooters, Segways,
mopeds, electric motor cycles, gas three wheel carts (think meter
maid), and four wheel neighborhood electric vehicles. The Green
Depot could provide services for this group of vehicles that are not
currently available in the community.
The Green Depot would be able to help integrate neighborhood
vehicles with mass transit like the Expo line and the big blue bus.
In addition to supporting the use of these vehicles the Depot could
help people to get started with vehicles that use sustainable fuels.
Bio Diesel is the best example of this and is something that can be
used right now. The depot could help with moving people toward
plug in electric vehicles as an upgrade to hybrid cars. A next step
would be to help get ethanol fuels adopted. It may also be possible
for the Green Depot to help foster bio digested methane fuels as
that technology gets closer in the near future.
Implementing a Green Depot would be a way for the city to
support the transition to a sustainable future. It would become a
focal point for community groups to meet and build sustainable
transport in our town. Each of the functions could be moved into
private business developed in the city or into main stream city
services such as the existing parking management service. It
would allow the City to have an effective way to facilitate a
smooth transition away from our oil addiction.
This letter is written to gather support for the Green Depot and we
ask all of you to sign this to be presented to the city of Santa
Monica. Please indicate your support by signing on the back of
this letter.
Appreciatively yours
The Sustainable Transport Club.
Return this letter to
9 Village Park Way
Santa Monica CA 90405
Or Call 310-450-7419 for more info.
www.sustainabletransportclub.com
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Bio Diesel Car Rental opened on the West side
The Grand opening event occurred on Tuesday, February 28, 2006
The opening caught the attention of the media and was featured on
at least one evening news program. The News had a great shot of
the LA Bio Diesel CO-OP trailer. Help spread the word and make
this new idea work as big as possible.
Congratulations to those of you who helped make this happen.
Location: Biobeetle Eco Rental Cars office
9146 Sepulveda under north runway of lax
Los Angeles, CA 90045
More Info: 310-463-4352
We rent nice new Volkswagens that run on biodiesel, we have
been operating in Maui since 2003 and this Tuesday we are
opening our first Los Angeles location! There will be
a Press Conference at 11:30, a speaker Jake Stewart
the Vice President of Biodiesel Industries a producer
of Biodiesel and Real Food Daily is catering the event.
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Green Drinks – Good idea for building the Green Community
Great turnout again this month on the West Side,
a late crowd set another attendance high (33) with 11 new comers.
Keep spreading the word to all of your green friends,
we are growing fast!
West Side Green Drinks is still the 1st Thursday of the month,
March 2nd.
West Side LA Green Drinks
Thursday, February 2nd, 2006
6pm-???
Duke's Hideaway at the Culver Hotel
9400 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
www.culverhotel.com
310.838.7963
Remember-
If anyone wants to bring literature to promote their green issue
please do so-we will have an area for brochures, business cards,
etc. We will also take back any extra literature back and bring
them to the next Green Drinks.
The main thing is just to relax and have a good time.
Bookmark this blog for future updates
http://lagreendrinks.blogspot.com
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There is a bicycle advocacy group that is going through some
changes and needs help. Here is the information.
Dear Bike Out Community,
We are writing to give you an update on our efforts to continue the
work of Bike Out. As most of you know, the Board of Directors is
shutting the doors of Bike Out effective immediately. The bikes,
gear, and office supplies have already been liquidated. However,
in the past five days, we raised $2,278 and purchased nine of the
fleet of fifteen bikes and accompanying gear (panniers, helmets,
First Aid kit, tool kit, stoves, etc.) before they liquidated so that we
have the option of continuing future tours. We are indebted to the
current Board for allowing us to purchase these items. We are also
grateful that they currently appear willing to negotiate with us in
regards to maintaining the Bike Out name, 501 c 3 status and
website, among other items. We are writing to you today to ask
you to support our work.
It might be beneficial to explain who "we" are. We are a core
group of individuals who feel strongly that the programming
offered by Bike Out was a unique service to LGBT youth in
Southern California. We believe that building health, self-esteem
and leadership of LGBT youth is still relevant. In the coming
weeks, we will be scheduling both an informational meeting and a
strategic planning session. To stay updated and to get involved,
please join the Future of Bike Out listserve at
bikeoutcycleon@yahoogroups.com or email us at
bikeoutcycleon@yahoo.com with your contact information and we
will add you directly. The first meeting, an informational meeting,
is scheduled for March 4, 2006 from 12 - 5 pm, location TBA.
The second meeting, a Future of Bike Out Planning Session, will
be on March 18, 2006 from 9 am - 5 pm, again location TBA.
In the meantime, we need your financial support! We are still
raising money, trying to reach our goal of $5,000, by February
24th. This will provide a seed of funds for bike storage, planning
and even future expeditions. Please forward this widely, and
please contribute what you can at this critical time. Unfortunately,
we don't yet know if these contributions will be tax deductible as
that depends on whether or not we are able to retain the 501 c 3
status of the organization. There are two ways of making your
donation. 1) Via paypal at www.paypal.com. Sign up as a user
and find Becca's account under Rebecca Louisell and
be_outside@yahoo.com or 2) Send a check to Becca Louisell,
2524 42nd St., Sacramento, CA 95817. Please write in the memo
"Bike Out Cycle On".
Please also contact us if you can offer in-kind donations of secure
storage space (for bikes and gear) and meeting space for the
informational and planning sessions. Finally, if you are part of an
organization that may be interested in merging with Bike Out to
take on a version of the programming, we are interested in having
a conversation regarding that possibility, please email
bikeoutcycleon@yahoo.com or call Nalee Romero at (323) 377-
8568 (cell).
We thank you again for your past and future support of us and our
efforts to build health, self-esteem and leadership among lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender youth and their straight allies!
Sincerely yours,
The Committee to Continue Bike Out
Nalee Diane Romero, Lead Trip Instructor
Becca Louisell, Past Director of Programming
Cheyenne Brashear, Past Recyclery Staff
Sarah Schreiber, Past Program Associate
Guillermo Jaimes, Trip Instructor
Andrea Askowitz, Founder and Past Executive Director
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Earth Day coming up April 15th
Earth Day is coming up and it is a great chance to take steps
forward for Sustainable Transport. The event last year is what got
the Sustainable Transport Club off the ground and can be a good
way to move forward. Last year it was the Westside Greens booth
that we were connected with. This year we could do one of our
own by pooling our resources. We could combine with Green
Depot, Bio Diesel Co-op, and one or more of the bicycle groups.
What do you think?
Here is an outtake from an email from the organizers in Santa
Monica.
"Earth Day on the Promenade" in Santa Monica. This year it will
be on the Saturday before Easter, one of the great shopping days of
the year, April 15, 10 am to 7 pm, with a projected total of 15,000
people. This event has a very limited number of booth spaces and
we are giving you first opportunity for a space.
We can discuss this on Saturday.
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