Bike to Work Week Activities 2016

UCSC's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) has joined with Ecology Action to host the 29th annual Santa Cruz County Spring Bike Week, May 6 -13, 2016. The Bike Week program aims to provide a safe, supportive and festive environment for local commuters to take their first pedal in traveling by bike. Commuters often find that cycling provides many benefits—from being environmentally-friendly and economical to reducing stress and improving personal health.

To prepare for Bike to Work week, on Tuesday, May 3rd, TAPS will be conducting a Bike Skills and Safety Campaign, and will be giving away helmets from 12:30pm-5:00pm (while supplies last) at the Barn Theater. Helmets are only available to UCSC affiliates; a UCSC student or employee ID card is required. Participants will complete a 5-10 minute bike safety survey to receive a helmet. Free bike maintenance and bike licensing will also be available.

On the following Thursday, May 12th, cyclists get a free breakfast at sites throughout Santa Cruz County, including two UCSC sites available from 6:30am - 9:30am:

• UCSC Main Entrance, Bay & High St
• UCSC Family Student Housing at Koshland Way

On Friday, May 13th, TAPS and the Student Environmental Center (SEC)  are hosting the Transportation Festival from 1:00pm-3:00pm at Quarry Plaza. Join the event for bicycle-powered music, activities, and workshops. Free helmets and bike lights will be available while supplies last.

Other resources to help you ride your bike safely are also available at http://taps.ucsc.edu/commute-options/bikes/index.html. To learn more about the many events taking place during Bike Week, visit http://www.bike2work.com/s_cruz.

Ecology Action Hiring Sustainable Transportation Intern

The following information was submitted by Ecology Action.

Organization/Agency: Ecology Action

Supervisor/Sponsor: Emily Gomez

Sponsor Title: Program Specialist, Sustainable Transportation Division

Address: 877 Cedar Street, Suite 240, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Email: egomez [at] ecoact [dot] org

Phone: 831.515.1328

Fax: 831.425.1404

Website: http://ecoactbike.org

Who We Are:
Ecology Action is a Santa Cruz based non-profit who has been a leader for over 40 years in empowering individuals, businesses, and communities to take actions today that achieve environmental and economic sustainability. Ecology Action’s Sustainable Transportation Division runs numerous well-known community programs including Bike To Work/School events, youth bike programs, electric vehicle public workshops, and other sustainable transportation education and outreach programs. We are currently looking for enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our fun and dynamic team!

Internship Description:
Ecology Action’s Sustainable Transportation Division is in need of a dedicated intern to help promote active forms of transportation that represent healthier and greener options. This intern position would work most closely with Emily Gomez to develop education and outreach materials, assist with our countywide Bike To Work/School program (with upwards of 7,000 participants), help organize youth bike events such as monthly Bike/Walk to School programs at elementary and middle schools throughout Santa Cruz County, and help organize community workshops to educate people about alternative transportation options.

Primary Intern Responsibilities:

• Help coordinate volunteers and event logistics for Bike to Work/School Days 
• Assist with the creation of education materials such as flyers and event posters 
• Conduct community outreach at various events such as Farmers Markets and other community events to help promote programs and advocacy campaigns 
• Maintain online social media event pages 
• Support staff at community workshops and forums 
• Various other tasks related to Sustainable Transportation topics and programs

Hours and Duration: 

Part-time, approximately 6-12 hours per week, occasional early mornings and weekend days. Intern support needed for Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Ecology Action is most in need of intern support from August-November and March through June so those that are available during this time frame will be given priority. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Interest and experience in education and community outreach to youth and/or the general public 
• Interest in promoting sustainable and active transportation • Energetic, helpful and positive attitude 
• Ability to communicate professionally, both in writing and orally • Thorough and detail-oriented 
• Computer skills: Competence in Microsoft Word and Excel, web browsers, email and graphics programs 
• Punctual 

Compensation: Academic course credit. 

Thank you for your interest in joining our dynamic team here at Ecology Action. We look forward to hearing from you! 

For more information or to contact staff regarding this internship opportunity please contact Emily Gomez, Program Specialist, Sustainable Transportation Division egomez@ecoact.org or 831-515-1328.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Santa Cruz County Bike Smart Rodeos - Fall 2015

Although it still feels very much like summer, you may be surprised to learn that it is in fact, FALL. And, of course, that means that school is back in session and Bike Smart bicycle safety education team is ready for weekly rodeos. They've been hard at work for the last few weeks in preparation for the rodeos, but the schools and students are so grateful to get the chance to experience the Bike Smart program!

Here are the events scheduled for Santa Cruz County:

Sunday, October 11th - Santa Cruz Open Streets Public 
Rodeo Event 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Wednesday, October 14th - Bay View Elementary 
Rodeo #1 8:20AM - 10:20AM
Rodeo #2 11:20AM - 12:40PM

Thursday, October 15th - Bay View Elementary 
Rodeo #1 10:40AM - 12:20PM

Monday, October 19th - Mar Vista Elementary 
Rodeo #1 8:05AM - 10:05AM
Rodeo #2 10:20AM - 12:20PM

Tuesday, October 20th - Mar Vista Elementary 
Rodeo #1 8:05AM - 10:05AM

Please RSVP with Kira Ticus at kticus [at] ecoact [dot] org with the rodeos you're available to assist with. Once you've signed up for the rodeo time slots, she'll send a follow up email with relevant information about the school site and event details as the event date gets closer.

October Bike to Work Day at UCSC sees record number of bicyclists

Did you ride your bike last month for Bike to Work Day hosted by Ecology Action? Throughout the county, people got to work and school by bicycle on October 10 and received free breakfast at a number of locations, including three sites at UC Santa Cruz. In total, 201 people on bikes stopped by the UCSC sites at the Base of Campus, Quarry Plaza, and the top of the Bike Path. This is the largest turnout for Bike to Work Day at UCSC! Earlier this year in the spring, 137 people participated, and last fall, 188 people biked to campus for this day that celebrates bike commuting.

A UCSC student who coordinated the top of the Bike Path site took photos throughout the morning--check out the album and tag yourself and friends! Happy bicycling!

Contests & Funding: June 2013

Yale Food Systems Symposium

The Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies invites proposals for the Yale Food Systems Symposium in October 2013. The event will address ecological and socio-economic processes of food production, consumption, climate change and rapid urbanization through panels, working groups, roundtables, poster presentations and papers. Proposals are due by July 1.

Energy Upgrade California: Homeowner Workshop at Ecology Action

Later this month, Ecology Action and PG&E will be hosting a FREE energy workshop for homeowners! The program will spotlight the Energy Upgrade California program:

The Energy Upgrade California program provides homeowners an opportunity to improve energy and water efficiency, save money, increase home comfort, help the environment and get up to $4,000 in incentives for making energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes.  The Energy Upgrade California program was created to help reduce energy consumption in California and generate business for local contractors.  

The meeting is slated to cover home energy upgrades, and how they can lower your utility bills, increase your home comfort, protect the environment by saving energy - and maybe even get you some great rebates.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 24th from 6:30-8:30pm at Ecology Action (877 Cedar Street, Suite 240). You can register for the event here. 

Contact Rachel DiFranco with event-related questions (rdifranco@ecoact.org).