Tunnel Top Grips Now Available

175mm micro-knob, single density grips
Available in a rainbow of colors
MSRP $8.99
Call your local dealer today



Go here to see more details on the grips: http://www.freedombicycle.com/component/.../option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,58/

Community Foundations are great resources for improving various aspects of communities throughout the United States.  Most community foundations earmark a certain percentage of their annual philanthropic givings towards specific categories.  Some are very specific and others are a little more general.   However, the main point is this: foundations are looking to disperse capital every year to groups, schools, and non-profits.  This is good news for those of us who wish for safe places for people to ride their bicycles, walk, or skate.

In 2001, less than 16% of children between the ages of 5 and 15 walked or rode their bikes to school.  In 1969, 42% walked or rode their bikes to school.  More children are driven to school today than ever which has various negative health and environmental effects.  This information alone is what inspired the creation of the Safe Routes to School program (SRTS) (http://www.saferoutesinfo.org).  SRTS is funded through the federal government, however, in the case of the Greenways to School campaign, other piggy-backing programs could get the attention of community foundations.

The Greenways to School program has been given a $175,000 grant from the Marin Community Foundation (MCF) to help combat global warming.  If you visit the Marin Community Foundation’s website (http://www.marincf.org), you will see that Climate Change is categorized under Strategic Initiatives allocations.  Our hats off to MCF for supporting such a good cause like the Greenways to School Program. 

Let this be an example for anyone who wants to take action towards building a more sustainable community.  Look into your Safe Routes to School chapter or think about creating your own group.  Then, look into local foundations and research their specific areas of giving and steer your program to fit their categories with special consideration to environmental or educational programs.  With the right organization, you could be on your way to obtaining a grant and making your community a more sustainable community.

You’re out of milk and you have to run by the bank.  So, you grab your keys, get into your car, turn the ignition and make a 10 mile roundtrip errand. You’ve just emitted 9.5 lbs of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Most of us are guilty of it, but let’s put it into another context. How many trees will it take to absorb the CO2 emitted from that one trip during one 12 month period?

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that one ten year old conifer tree that grows at a moderate rate, will sequester 7.4 lbs per year. So, it will take approximately 1.3 conifer trees over the span of 12 months to absorb the CO2 emitted from that one trip. Ouch!!

The only way to truly (as opposed to purchasing credits) offset that is to plant 1.3 trees every time you travel 10 miles in your car, which would take about an hour OR ride your bike instead of driving, which would also take about an hour.  The latter will save on all of the externalized costs associated with burning one gallon of either domestic or imported oil to begin with.  Why not stockpile your CO2 savings and do both?

Sources:
www.epa.gov/oms/climate/420f05001.htm
www.urbanforestrysouth.org/resources/library/method-for-calculating-carbon-sequestration-by-trees-in-urban-and-suburban-settings

After a main cable broke on the bridge on October 27th, traffic throughout the entire Bay Area has been negatively affected.  Officials plan to re-open the Bridge by Friday evening…we shall see.