Newsletters

March 2025

Hello South Pas Active friends,

    We're starting the year off with some changes: new logo, a call to action, and new projects.

New Logo and Name

  Three years ago, we started as a group asking our city for safer ways to get around by bike. As we've grown, we've made allies and broadened our advocacy to include people with a wider range of needs. We now collaborate on walking tours of historic places, walk and bike buses, and safer neighborhood streets.

  Given all that, we felt our logo needed to change, too. Thankfully, our friend Diego Zavala has a great talent for design and loves our mission. The logo he designed is inspired by the diverse modes, needs, and backgrounds of our community. While we were at it, we thought "South Pas Active" was easier to use verbally and graphically, so we're dropping the "streets" from the end.

  We hope you like the new look and continue to support us as we work to make South Pasadena a better, healthier, more sustainable place.

Call to Action

  Local advocacy makes a difference in our everyday lives. South Pas Active has had some success at responding to big decisions at council meetings. If you've ridden a bike on Grand Ave, walked on a slow street, or crossed at a bulb out on Fair Oaks Ave, then you've enjoyed something that we advocated for. This year, we are making a new push to engage with the city decision makers *before* decisions need to be made.

  In the next year, the City Council and Commissions plan to make significant changes to our streets and we have momentum for improving safety and active streets. Tens of millions of grant dollars are ready to spend and the city is discussing road diets on Fremont/Huntington and Mission St.. The image at right shows a conceptual design from Toole Design Group, who led the "charette" process to design new arterial streets. We need your help in mobilizing more voices of support to capitalize on these opportunities, bring these projects to fruition more quickly without more studies and delays, and counter the inevitable naysayers.

  How can you help?

• Present or write a public comment -- We need more active participants at city council meetings. Our goal is to have a member present at a council and commission meeting *every month*. By making consistent demands for safer, active, sustainable street uses, we can educate the city about what needs to change and give them courage when it comes time to make a decision. You can sign up to make a comment here.

• Ask a neighbor or friend to join our email list -- To improve our impact, we need to reach more people who live and visit in South Pasadena. If you know someone who is interested in the kids biking to school, helping seniors walk safely on our streets, quiet streets and clean air, then you probably know someone who can help. Subscribing is as easy as sending an email to southpasactive+subscribe@googlegroups.com.

• We're looking for an outreach intern -- As we add activities and advocacy, we have more need for time with outreach and social media. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting our mission in this way, please reach out.

Upcoming Events

• Starting March 2 -- Our friends at Active SGV are distributing vouchers for up to $2000 off e-bikes. These are supported by funds from the US Inflation Reduction Act and won't last long! Sign up now!

• Mar 9 -- Gravel Bike California is hosting a family bike ride and picnic along the LA River to Griffith Park, cargopaloozza. 

• Mar 29 -- Our friends at South Pas Beautiful and the city are running the annual Sustainability Fair. Come for the plant swap and garden tour in the Arroyo Seco (with free bike valet!)

    Stay Active,

    Your friends at South Pas Active