Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing October 2018 as “Car-Lite Month” in the County of El Dorado. (Est. Time: 5 Min.)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
An annual tradition of reducing the use of automobiles for a specific time period began in Europe in 1995. As awareness of this event spread, it became an annual global occurrence by 2000, and is currently celebrated in over 1,500 cities and 40 countries.
El Dorado County residents and employees are encouraged to visit www.welldorado.org <file:///\\HHSAData\HS-Contracts\NON-CONTRACTS\PROCLAMATIONS\Oct%20-%20Car-Lite%20Month\2018\www.welldorado.org> and take the Pledge to be Car-Lite in October. All participants are eligible to win great prizes. The pledge includes a carbon savings calculator that will estimate your carbon emission reduction for the month.
The Car-Lite campaign coincides with National Walk to School Day, an annual event occurring on Wednesday, October 10, 2018; and the Sacramento Area Council of Government’s Ready Set Ride Regional Campaign, occurring October 22, 2018 through October 28, 2018, where everyone is encouraged to participate in the campaign by registering at ReadySetRideChallenge.com and logging trips.
The goals of the campaign are: to create places where motorized vehicle use is greatly reduced or eliminated; to convert road and parking spaces to other public uses; and to rebuild compact environments where most destinations are within easy reach by walking, cycling, or public transit. Some of the focuses of Car-Lite events are:
- Improving public health and quality of life through clean mobility and sustainable transport.
- Promoting alternative forms of transportation such as public transit, bicycling, and walking.
- Encouraging the use of carpools and vanpools.
- Using telework - if the option is available.
- Increasing awareness of transit routes and bicycle/walking paths.
- Encouraging the community to try something new to incorporate physical activity into everyday life, such as walking and cycling.
Attachment B provides 31 suggestions of how to be “car-lite” during this month. The community is encouraged to use these suggestions year round.
The importance of reducing motorized vehicle use is illustrated as follows:
- In California, the transportation sector accounts for 39% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
- Asthma, heart disease, obesity and diabetes are health impacts linked to how we travel.
- Nearly 40% of commuters in El Dorado County drive to work alone and commute for more than 30 minutes.
Information on how to be “car-lite” this month and throughout the year is attached to this Board Item (Attachment C). It is a summary of available alternate transit options and includes helpful information such as Park-and-Ride locations, El Dorado County Transportation Commission’s website to view their interactive bike map; reference to Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition’s interactive online trail map; El Dorado Transit to view the transit options they provide around Lake Tahoe and into Carson Valley, Nevada; and Amtrak. Additional information and the Pledge to be Car-Lite can be found at www.welldorado.org <http://www.welldorado.org>.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to approve the Proclamation naming October as “Car-Lite Month.”
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
El Dorado Transit, Air Quality Management District, Placerville Mobility Support Group, El Dorado County Department of Transportation, El Dorado County Transportation Commission, Chief Administrative Office, and Parks and Trails Division.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County of El Dorado Strategic Plan Goal: “Healthy Communities” Objective: “Develop and implement multi-agency education campaigns to encourage residents to participate in air emissions reduction efforts thereby reducing health impacts.”
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., M.P.A., Director