Clean Air Days & Bike Fest

News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact:    Beth Gorman    (520) 740-3343

Tucson, Arizona (February 12, 2008) – Come celebrate the many ways you can “go green” for blue skies. Local agencies and businesses concerned about air quality and traffic congestion are joining forces to promote the use of alternative modes of transportation during this year’s Clean Air Days. Area residents are being encouraged to drive less and carpool, walk, bicycle, take the bus, or drive a clean-fueled vehicle to improve air quality and possibly win a prize. The 17 Clean Air Days and Bike Fest activities are scheduled from Sunday, March 30 through Wednesday, April 30 at various locations around town. A special Clean Air Contest kicks off on April 1 and runs through April 24th. If an individual takes action to reduce air pollution, and a Clean Air Contest entry form is completed and submitted, the participant will be entered into a prize drawing for gifts donated by local businesses.

“With concerns about global warming, traffic congestion, sustainability, and air quality being expressed by many on a daily basis, this is a great community event designed to encourage actions that will improve our quality of life,” said Beth Gorman, Program Manager at Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ). “It is free and filled with opportunities for fun and learning for all who participate” she continued.

Activities include a Bike Movie Fest at the Fox Theater, Green Commute Day, Walk & Roll to School Day, Beginners Bike Ride, Sun Tran Free Ride Day, Bike 2 Work Day Celebrations, a Ride with the Mayor of Tucson, Bike to the Zoo Day, Tucson Earth Day, a “Food for Thought” Library Lecture Series on Ways to Bring Earth Day Home, and more. On Saturday, April 19th, the Tucson Earth Day Festival and Parade will be held at Reid Park from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. with live music from Batucaxé and Shadz Band, a Clean-fueled Car & Truck Show, a Model Solar Race Car Competition, environmentally-related booths and information, recycling collection of used eyeglasses and cell phones, and other activities. Secured bicycle parking will be offered at many of the venues.

The schedule of Clean Air Days and Bike Fest events and the contest entry forms are available at www.cleanair.pima.gov. Entry forms received by PDEQ by April 24th will be entered into a random drawing for great prizes including meals at local restaurants, gift certificates, hotel stays, and more.

Clean Air Days event sponsors include the City of Tucson and Pima County Departments of Transportation, Pima Association of Governments, Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, Sun Tran, Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Southwest Gas, and Bookman’s. For more information call PDEQ at 740-3947.

Clean Air Days and Bike Fest

Schedule of Activities

Bike helmets are encouraged for all riders and are a must
for bike riders under 18 years of age

Sunday, March 30

Bike Movie Fest at the Fox – Ride downtown to the historic Fox Theatre and enjoy the Bike Movie Fest. Free admission if you park your bike in our secured area. Visit http://www.dot.tucsonaz.gov/bikefest/ for additional information.

Tuesday, April 1

Clean Air Days Contest Kickoff – Spring into Action! During April, commute to work or school using alternate modes and enter to win great prizes. Entry forms available at www.cleanair.pima.gov and deadline to enter is April 24th. Each contest participant can receive a $10 Bookman’s certificate by coming to the Bookman’s booth at Tucson Earth Day Festival on April 19th. We will all win with healthier air to breathe.

Thursday, April 3

Green Commute Day – Gas prices got you down? Air quality a concern? There are things you can do. Start by coming to the Green Commute Fair to learn about all the transportation options available to you. There will be exhibitors from across the region with free materials and fun stuff to see and do. Main Library Downtown at Jacome Plaza near Stone and Alameda from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Friday, April 4

Walk & Roll to School Day - Hey kids! Do your share for healthy air. Team up with your parents and walk, skate or ride your bike to school today. It is a terrific way to exercise and meet other kids in the neighborhood. Remember to wear your helmet when riding or skating. For more information on how your school can participate, call 205-8309.

Sunday, April 6

Beginners Bike Ride – Beginner rides are slow and easy rides along bike paths and routes. Visit www.doodahroadclub.org for more information.

Sun Tran Free Ride Day – Do your part to help keep our air clean and give the bus a try for free! Hop on the bus and let Sun Tran get you around town at no charge today. Call Sun Tran’s Customer Service Center at 792-9222 (TDD 678-1565) or visit www.suntran.com to help plan your trip. Ride free to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the 4th Avenue Street Fair on Sunday.

Monday, April 7

Peter Zheutlin Slide Show on Annie Londonderry – Peter will discuss his new book “Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry’s Extraordinary Ride.” The presentation starts at 7 p.m. at the Pima County Medical Society Building. Visit www.bikegaba.org for more information.

Friday, April 11

Bike 2 Work Celebrations – Dust off your bike and cycle to work on Bike 2 Work Day for fun, fitness, and clean, green transportation. For those in the downtown area, visit the Bike 2 Work Fair in front of the main library. For those on the Eastside, stop by the Fair in front of the Bristol Coffeebus at 5601 E. Broadway Blvd. Events will feature a free continental breakfast, safety information, and raffle give-aways from 7-9 a.m. Downtown will also feature bike registration.

Challenge your employer to join the Bike 2 Work Fair and a free customized bike (supplies limited) and other prizes could be yours. Call 837-6691 or visit www.dot.tucsonaz.gov/bikefest to register and for more information.

Saturday, April 12

Mayor’s Bike Ride – Join Mayor Walkup on a 14-mile leisurely bike ride from La Madera Park to the Rillito River and back. The ride will leave from La Madera Park (north of Glenn at Treat) shortly after 8 a.m.

Saturday, April 19

Tucson Earth Day Festival and Parade – This year’s Earth Day theme is “All Species Need Clean Air” to commemorate the merger between the Clean Air Fair and Earth Day Festival into one great event at Reid Park near 22nd St. and S. Country Club Dr. Join the free fun with environmental exhibits, activities for kids, Model Solar Race Cars, Clean Fuel Auto Show, collection of used eyeglasses and cell phones for recycling, live music by Batucaxé and Shadz Band, the Sun Tran Clean Air Bus with artwork by local children on display and more! The event begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. The All Species Procession is part of the Earth Day Parade which will start at 10:00 a.m. After the Earth Day Festival, ride on over to the Zoo for the rest of the afternoon.

Bike to the Zoo – Animals need clean air too! Ride your bicycle to the Reid Park Zoo and get FREE admission from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. when you show your helmet and use the free valet bike parking.

Food for Thought Series
“Bringing Earth Day Home”

Every Thursday in April
from noon -1 p.m.
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
101 N. Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ
Lower Level Meeting Room
www.library.pima.gov for info

Thursday, April 3 – Green Commuting – Make your trip to work environmentally friendly and save money, too. Pima Association of Government’s newly expanded Rideshare Program has something for everyone. Learn about the commute options available, including Sun Tran, that reduce pollution, congestion, and energy consumption.

Thursday, April 10 – Bike Commuting – Expertise on avoiding bicycle crashes and other bike safety topics for bike commuting and pleasure rides will be provided to all attendees. Email Pima County Department of Transportation at donna.lewandowski@dot.pima.gov for information.

Thursday, April 17 – Water Conservation – Discover tips for efficient proactive outdoor water conservation for residential and commercial use. Hear about techniques to save water, save money, and save you time. This workshop will be taught by a horticulturalist through the SmartScape Program – which was picked as a “Best of Tucson” by the Tucson Weekly.

Thursday, April 24 - Green Home Building – This presentation will introduce green building concepts and technologies that can be introduce into new and existing homes. Learn about energy efficiency, renewable power, environmentally-responsible materials, and lifestyle changes that can reduce your carbon footprint, save money and make your home a healthier place to live. There will also be an introduction to Pima County’s new residential green building rating system.

Call 520.740.3947 or visit www.cleanair.pima.gov
for more information on any of these activities.

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