Newsletters
August 2024
Hello South Pas Active friends,
Summer break is winding down, and South Pas Active is gearing up for an exciting fall! We've loved seeing so many people enjoying our beautiful city on foot, by bike, and on scooters these past few months. As the school year begins, we're excited to introduce new programs and initiatives to make South Pasadena even more walkable and bike-friendly.
A New Year of Bike Bus
The Bike Bus is back for a third year of helping South Pasadena students get active, learn independence, and have some fun. The Bike Bus movement is growing. If you’d like to learn more about how groups organize and run rides, take a look at this study.
We’re always working to make it easier to participate. Here are things we are working on:
The routes and schedules will be largely the same, riding each Tuesday starting at 7:55am. Riders are welcome to join at the start or anywhere along the way. This year, we will start with three bike bus routes; one to Arroyo Vista and two to Marengo. Based on interest and input from school PTAs, we may add routes throughout the school year.
This year, we will use a WhatApp community for communications. Join us there to ask questions and get last-minute updates about ride status.
The Marengo PTA has created a new Active Transportation committee and is developing a plan to incentivize people to walk and bike to school. Keep an eye out for special events and more. If you are interested and a Marengo parent, join the PTA and get involved.
The Arroyo Vista PTA Equity committee developed a “walk bus” one day last year and wants to expand it this year. The intake “fall form” will include questions to gauge interest in walk and bike bus to AV. If you are interested, please indicate your interest and, of course, join the PTA.
Grand Tour Night Ride
We are partnering with our friends at the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition on our first night ride, the Grand Tour. Join us on August 24th at 7pm as we tour restaurant districts of Pasadena & South Pasadena, and highlight some connections between the two cities, including a trip along the full 2 miles of Grand Avenue. This is a family friendly ride and typically attracts scores of people of all abilities.
Space is limited, so be sure to sign up.
Want to make it easier to access the Arroyo Seco outside of a car?
The City of South Pasadena Community Services Department is gathering community feedback on an update to the city’s golf course and facilities. The primary goal is to improve existing facilities (e.g., golf course, mini-golf, driving range, and restaurant), but this work provides the city an opportunity to reimagine how the community can access the Arroyo, tennis courts, golf course, nature trail and bike path outside of a car and ensure the ultimate plan considers walking and biking.
You can provide your feedback through one of the city’s surveys: https://www.southpasadenaca.gov/Your-Government/Department-Service-Areas/Community-Services/Arroyo-Seco-Golf-Course-Facility-Planning-Open-House
Here are a few ideas that South Pas Active will ask for:
Improve pedestrian access from Arroyo Drive/Pasadena Ave to the golf course by improving the trail or installing steps.
Improving and installing sidewalks or pedestrian paths along the golf course.
Oppose expansion of parking lots in the arroyo -- some on council have publicly expressed an interest in more parking spots.
Any more ideas you have? Share them with us.
Like these ideas? Tell the city!
Bike Clinics for Kids
South Pas Active, in partnership with the DUDES will host a series of bike clinics on the campus of Marengo Elementary. This is an ambitious project involving multiple partners, but we think it is important to support our mission. Learning to ride a bike empowers children, reduces car dependency, and contributes to a healthier, more sustainable community. South Pas Active is committed to creating a bike-friendly environment where all residents, young and old, can enjoy the benefits of active transportation.
The first clinic will be held in September. We will send more info soon.
Stay Active,
Your friends at South Pas Active