Portia Sinnott
Car-Lite and Sonoma County Conservation Council

In Sonoma County, a number of groups and individuals are working to reduce traffic congestion at schools and encourage children and adults to walk, bike and carpool more. Climate protection, safety, health and the sometimes under-rated pleasure of self-propelled transport are just some of the reasons these hard-working folks are going against the traffic.

A relatively new member of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Sonoma County Air Resource Team (www.sparetheair.org), I am happy to say that these Spare The Air meetings have added a level of synergy that did not exist for me previously. For example, over the next few months a number of school related events are scheduled that will raise awareness, gather support for more comprehensive activities and teach bike riding safety and skills. Most of these events are sponsored by the Air District and it's member groups - including last December's Safe Routes to School Community Orientation and Planning Session held at the Petaluma City School District Office.

Please consider getting involved. For more information, please visit the websites for each group or call the numbers listed. If you know of other related events please give me a call at 707 824-9931 or email. Thanks.

Skill Clinics

• Street Skills for Cyclists! - $20
  • Saturday, February 4, 8:30 am-12:45 pm
  • Instructor: Martin Clinton, Certified Instructor, League of American Bicyclists
  • Petaluma Community Center, 320 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
  • The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, 707-545-0153
• Super Bowl Sunday Tire Repair Class - Free
  • Sunday, February 5, 1:00-2:30pm
  • Instructor: Dan Gurney
  • Community Bikes, 4009 Sebastopol Rd, Santa Rosa, 707-579-5811

Upcoming Workshops - Free!

• The Student Commute ­ Realities and Solutions for Analy High School
  • Thursday, February 2, 7:00-8:30 pm
  • Analy High School Theater, Analy Ave at High School Rd, Sebastopol
  • Climate Protection Campaign Cool School Program, www.climateprotectioncampaign.org, 707-237-2696.
• How Can We Safely Reduce Traffic At Sonoma County Schools?
  • Saturday, March 4, 2006, 2:00-5:00 pm (precedes the annual Environmental Awards Dinner)
  • Sponsored by the Sierra Club, Sonoma County Conservation Council and the Sonoma County Office of Education
  • Sebastopol Veteran's Auditorium, 282 South High St., Sebastopol
  • Produced by Car-Lite and Community Bikes
  • Call: 707-824-9931