Sebastopol Car-Free Day Celebrations and Drive Less Tips

Now more then ever, driving less is one of the most environmentally meaningful actions you can undertake.

How about starting with Car-Free Day - the first Sunday of every month?

In Sebastopol, we celebrate Car-Free Day at least 4 times per year at the Farm Market in the town plaza. This Sunday, September 2, will be a warm up for the Sunday, October 6 celebration which will include a bike ride around town as well as other activities. At Car-Lite/ Community Bikes table, on both days we will give Farmer Market bucks to all adults that come sans car and each will be entered in a drawing for a $100 Community Bikes gift certificate. Thank you Sebastopol Farm Market and Community Bikes!!!

Want more on why and how to drive less? Visit our website and the EPA What You Can Do About Climate Change website and select On The Road. Here are a few of their tips about driving less and not idling:

Leaving your car at home twice a week can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds per year. Save up errands and shopping trips so you need to drive fewer times. If you commute to work, ask if you can work from home at least some days, and you'll reduce air pollution and traffic congestion - and save money. Reduce greenhouse gases on the road.

Don't idle! Remind your school system to turn off bus engines when buses are parked. Exhaust from idling school buses can pollute air in and around the bus, and can enter school buildings through air intakes, doors, and open windows. Constant idling also wastes fuel and money, and school bus engines really need only a few minutes to warm up. More about reducing engine idling.

Tread lightly! Use public transportation, carpool, walk, or bike whenever possible to reduce air pollution and save on fuel costs. Reduce your carbon footprint.

Car-Lite and Community Bikes are programs of LITE Initiatives - a locally based working group founded in 2000 which promotes driving less, biking more, living lightly and Zero Waste. Want help with these efforts - here or elsewhere? Send a note to [email protected].