Bikes, Trains, and (Electric) Automobiles: Plans for Carbon-Free Transit in SMC
Thursday, February 4, 2021, 3:30 PM, Zoom Recording & Slides
MEETING RECAP
Thrive Alliance brought together transit sustainability leaders on Transit Equity Day February 4, 2021, to discuss the plans for a more equitable and sustainable transit system for the Bay Area.
The impact of COVID on transit systems has been immense. Panelists discussed ways to make more sustainable changes to keep pollution levels low and to decrease the transit inequities that the pandemic has magnified.
Driving rates are down, and biking/walking rates are much higher due to the pandemic. How do we keep it like this? Emma Shlaes, the Deputy Director at Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition shared survey results demonstrating the increase in biking and walking and she explored strategies to keep these sustainable mode choice rates high. In order to see more biking in the area, there is a need for safer options, developing slower streets, more intentional city bike plans, and more accessible E-bikes are possible solutions.
Since 1950, Caltrain has primarily used diesel as its main fuel source, emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and creating a polluted environment for residents. Adina Levin, ED at Friends of Caltrain discussed Caltrain’s plans for the future to create more equitable and sustainable transit. Electrifying Caltrain’s would allow more people to ride, increasing capacity roughly 3-4 times the current diesel-fueled ride capacity. In order to make this happen, Measure RR was recently approved by voters of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties. It also has the goal of increasing access to low-income workers, to make Caltrain more affordable, accessible, and convenient.
“Now is a time that many are changing their lifestyle, when lifestyle changes are being made individuals are more likely to adopt new habits. Now is the time to motivate for new environmentally friendly behaviors.”
The workforce of San Mateo County is about 418,073 strong and with that strength comes the need for a robust transportation system. John Ford, the ED at Commute.org discussed the impact the pandemic has had on the diverse workforce in San Mateo County and consequently its effects on the first mile/last mile transportation that Commute.org provides. About 47% of San Mateo County’s workforce is eligible to work from home. Modes choice matters and it is important to make these choices shared, electric powered, and connected whenever possible and appropriate.
With over 7 million people across the 9 Bay Area counties, there is a massive amount of pollution from cars. Rebecca Fisher, Climate Smart Transport Program Lead at Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) described electric vehicle (EV) growth in the area. In 2019 around 3% of cars driven in the Bay Area were EV, but there is a need and ability to make that a much better figure. The Bay Area's EV-Adoption goal is to reach a 90% EV usage rate by 2050. Rebecca also addressed the inequity existing in providing EV’s and advocated to weave equity-based ideas into all EV grant programs. EV programs don’t always reach those with lower income and tend to target higher-income residents. Rebecca also recommended changing the infrastructure of EV charging and prioritizing installations at or near multifamily buildings.
We also heard from Carlos Moreno, Community Outreach Specialist at Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) who discussed ways that PCE is working to reduce carbon emissions and supporting sustainable transit programs. He discussed the EV incentives program and their E-Bike projects, including their partnership with local bike shops. PCE will also be working with ride-hailing companies like Lyft and Uber by providing an incentive to drivers who rent an EV car.
The meeting finished off with an engaging discussion between the panelists and participants about resources and the potential for change in a post-pandemic world. Across sectors and on an individual level it is vital that we work together toward a more equitable and environmental transit system.
Thrive’s monthly Environment & Sustainability Community meetings are supported by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and Peninsula Clean Energy.
Link to Additional Resources
Peninsula Clean Energy EV Purchase, Rental and Charging Station Rebate Programs
Information on biking routes and projects- Peninsula Bikeway, Superhighway Study, Bike and Pedestrian Committees
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition- Events, More information on slow streets, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Polling Data and Report
Ongoing Transit Equity Advocacy- Seamless Bay Area and Voices for Public Transportation
Link to Speaker Bios
Emma Shlaes- Deputy Director, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition- LinkedIn, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
Adina Levin- Executive Director, Friends of Caltrain - LinkedIn, Friends of Caltrain
John Ford- Executive Director, Commute.org- LinkedIn, Commute.org
Rebecca Fisher- Climate Smart Transport Program Lead, Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)- LinkedIn, Bay Area Quality Management District
Carlos Moreno- Community Outreach Specialist, Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE)- LinkedIn, Peninsula Clean Energy
