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NEWS FROM TALC

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Weigh in on TALC's RTP Platform at the next regional meeting -- Wednesday, May 23
As a coalition of organizations and activists, TALC has had a huge impact on previous Regional Transportation Plan updates by helping to win hundreds of millions of dollars for sustainable and equitable transportation. And we can have a similar impact again! Come to TALC's regional meeting on May 23 and weigh in on what will be in the Coalition's RTP Platform for the 2009 update. We will discuss bike/ped issues, transportation equity, land use, and climate change recommendations. This summer we'll present a final platform to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and advocate for it throughout MTC's RTP planning process. Come give your input on how we can make the Bay Area a model for promoting walkable communities and world-class transit!

The regional meeting will be held from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Sierra Club's third-floor conference room in downtown San Francisco, 85 Second Street, near the Montgomery BART/Muni station. The meeting is free and open to the public. (Please note the change of date, which was formerly May 16.) Burritos and beverages will be served. New to TALC? Come at 5:00 p.m. for an optional orientation about TALC and regional issues. Please RSVP so we can have enough seating and food to marta@transcoalition.org or call 510-740-3150 x321.

View the calendar of events: www.transcoalition.org/calendar.html

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California High Speed Rail: a global warming solution
Updated ridership estimates project that high-speed rail would generate up to 117 million trips per year by 2030 and significantly reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions. By diverting millions of in-state automobile and air trips, a high-speed train system could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 9 million metric tons per year! Running the trains on clean, renewable energy, changes in land use around stations, and rising costs of auto and air travel would result in even greater greenhouse gas reductions. To find out more about the project and its potential to contribute to climate change solutions, see the webpage below or contact Carli Paine at carli@transcoalition.org or 510-740-3150 x315.

Learn more: www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_hsr/index.html

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Support complete streets in California
TALC has endorsed AB 1358, The Complete Streets Act, sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition and the California Chapter of AARP. AB 1358 will ensure that transportation projects meet the needs of all roadway users including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, children, the elderly, and the disabled -- and not just motorists' needs. Complete streets encourage physical activity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and cut costs by integrating bike/ped infrastructure into the initial design of a project instead of making costly retrofits later. The bill recently passed the Assembly Local Government Committee and has been referred to the Appropriations Committee. Please send a letter of support today!

Learn more and take action: www.calbike.org/legislation.htm#AB1358

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TALC is hiring a Safe Routes to Schools Director
TALC will be the lead organization administering an Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools program, starting in the 2007-2008 school year. TALC will be partnering with the Alameda County Public Health Department and Cycles of Change to promote safe walking and biking to school to improve children's health, safety, and mobility, strengthen communities, reduce automobile trips, and improve air quality in school neighborhoods. The program is part of the nationwide Safe Routes to Schools movement and will be one of only a few programs in urban areas. TALC is hiring a full-time director who will oversee the program and partnership collaborations.

Learn more: www.transcoalition.org/about/about_jobs.html#job

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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MTC meetings on Prop 1B spending plans -- May 9 & 23
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission will soon allocate funding from Proposition 1B (the November 2006 transportation bond) for rail, buses, and other transit capital projects. Proposed expenditures include funding for the Muni Central Subway project, Bus Rapid Transit in Santa Clara County, and extending BART to Warm Springs. TALC is urging MTC to reconsider its funding priorities to include building a new Transbay Terminal. You can speak in favor of the new Transbay Terminal when MTC's Programming and Allocations Committee considers the proposed allocations on May 9 at 10:15 a.m. and the full Commission considers them on May 23 at 10:10 a.m. (Both meetings will be at MTC at 101 8th Street in Oakland.) Read MTC's proposal for the funds at the link below. For questions about TALC's position, contact Carli Paine at carli@transcoalition.org or 510-740-3150 x315.

Learn more: apps.mtc.ca.gov/meeting_packet_documents/agenda_838/4_transit_Ibond.pdf

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Affordable Housing Week: May 12-19
This month, organizations from across the region will inform residents about housing resources available to them and highlight actions they can take to make affordable housing a reality in their community. TALC is organizing a bus tour of East Bay housing developments near transit to highlight how their proximity to transit makes them even more affordable to live in. Other events include the grand opening of 112 affordable apartments in Dublin and a panel discussion about creating mixed-income communities in North Oakland. For more information and a listing of events throughout the Bay Area, please visit www.ebho.org (East Bay), www.home-is.org (San Mateo County), www.schousingcoalition.org (Sonoma County), and www.affordablehousingweek.org (Santa Clara County).

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Bike To Work Day -- Thursday, May 17
May 17 is Bike To Work Day! Did you know that almost 40% of Bay Area commuters live within five miles of their workplace? If everyone who lives within this ideal distance pedaled to work on May 17, hundreds of thousands of cars would be off the road and air pollution would be reduced significantly. To sign up, enter to win prizes, and learn about National Bike Month, visit the webpage below.

Learn more: www.bayareabikes.org/btwd/index.php

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Climate change workshop -- Friday, May 18
The Joint Policy Committee, a coalition of Bay Area regional agencies, will be discussing the region's plan to address climate change at its meeting on May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The meeting will be held in the auditorium at 101 8th Street in Oakland. The agenda package will be available online on May 11.

Learn more: www.abag.ca.gov/jointpolicy/jpc_agenda_packages.htm

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Berkeley climate action kick-off -- Saturday, May 19
Last November, Berkeley residents approved Measure G, which targets an 80% reduction in Berkeley's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. On Saturday, May 19, from 10:00 a.m. - noon, join the Climate Action Kick-Off at the Ashby Stage at 1901 Ashby Avenue. Brainstorm ideas on how to double the number of people who walk, bike, or take transit to work; put solar on every roof; and achieve the goal of zero waste. TALC will be presenting about our upcoming Safe Routes to Schools and TravelChoice programs to be launched in Berkeley in fall 2007. Also, get tips and ideas of what you can do to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and take home free energy-efficient light bulbs and gift certificates. Free and open to the public.

Learn more: www.cityofberkeley.info/mayor/GHG/index.htm

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NEWS FROM TALC MEMBER GROUPS

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TALC's newest member: North Bay Labor Council, AFL-CIO
TALC welcomes our newest member group, the North Bay Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The North Bay Labor Council is the coordinating body for the labor movement in the North Bay.
Learn more: northbayclc.home.mindspring.com

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San Francisco wins car-free park space
Supporters of more safe, affordable, and accessible public space celebrated a victory for San Franciscans and visitors, as a compromise proposal for Healthy Saturdays in Golden Gate Park passed the Board of Supervisors in April. The proposal establishes new car-free space in the Park on Saturdays on JFK Drive between Tea Garden Drive (near 8th Avenue) and Transverse Drive for six months each year, April through September, beginning this year on Memorial Day weekend. The victory results from years of organizing by environmental, park, neighborhood, and transportation groups, including the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, who championed an original proposal to make the Saturday road closure just like the popular Sunday one. "While this compromise is not everything that the Park's users deserve, it is an important step forward in creating safe, accessible car-free space in a popular section of the Park," says Leah Shahum, of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

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Increasing transit usage at child care centers
A study of barriers to using transit to get to child care centers will soon begin. The goal is to increase communication between transit agencies, cities, and child care planners, and to support coordinated planning that increases transit ridership. A survey will soon be distributed to parents at child care centers within one-third of a mile of transit stations or hubs. If you know of any centers please contact Ellen Dektar with the Alameda County Local Investment in Child Care (LINCC) Project at ellen@linccchildcare.com as soon as possible.