 Teamwork makes the dream work. Here at ActiveSGV, we are fortunate and grateful to work alongside some amazing folks! This month's Staff Spotlight is Andrew Fung Yip. 1. How did you get started working at ActiveSGV? I met Javier Hernandez, who was the former Executive Director of ActiveSGV, in 2011. I volunteered as a ride marshal and quickly moved on to other tasks such as tabling and graphic design. At the time, I was still at Mt. San Antonio College and often took transit to school. When I transferred to Azusa Pacific University, I rode my bike every other day to school from my home in Hacienda Heights. I realized how horrible our streets were for transportation modes other than driving. I wanted to do more and found ActiveSGV's Facebook page. I remember volunteering at the Emerald Necklace rides and moved on to plan some small rides myself. I was certified as a League Instructor in 2013 and helped coordinate and teach over 50 classes throughout the San Gabriel Valley. In 2013, I graduated from the San Gabriel Mountains Leadership Academy and was brought on ActiveSGV as the first part-time staff of the organization. My primary role was to help do outreach and advocate for a National Monument designation for the San Gabriel Mountains. I went to Washington D.C. to lobby with the San Gabriel Mountains Forever Coalition on behalf of ActiveSGV and by October 2014, I attended the National Monument designation by President Barack Obama at San Dimas' Frank G. Bonelli Park. It was a huge honor to be a guest of the White House and that cemented my passion for advocating for not only active transportation but for open space in our communities (read an article in The Guardian Andrew was quoted in).  By early 2015, I came on board as the first full-time staff member of ActiveSGV and my focus was on organizing community bike rides, designing materials, coordinating bicycle classes, and advocating for our San Gabriel Mountains. It was perfect timing because I was honorably discharged from the United States Army by the end of that year, which allowed me to take on more work at ActiveSGV. Fast forward to the present, I am now one of 14 staff so I'm not as lonely and it feels great knowing I can rely on my coworkers when I need help. 2. What do you like most about ActiveSGV? ActiveSGV touches on a lot of the issues that matter for me as a resident of the San Gabriel Valley. Our communities have been historically and systemically overlooked in the areas of education, transportation, environmental justice, and in general, money. I'm glad to be able to work for an organization that understands that and actively seeks out programs, grants, and projects that benefit our communities. Whether it's advocating for parks, transportation funding, air quality research, bike rides, etc; the focus is on improving the well-being and livability of our communities. 3. Favorite and/or memorable ActiveSGV experience Many memories have been made over the years. Although I can pinpoint all the happy ones, I do have to say the most memorable memory has also been one of the most tragic memories. When ActiveSGV was rolling out these new grants, it also meant a lot of new staff were coming on board. We're not just coworkers, but many of us are good friends outside of work. One of them was Brian Velez. He passed away suddenly and our hearts broke. It was through this difficult time that we found solace in each other's memories and experiences with one another. I want to make sure we remember him because he made such a huge impact in this organization and in many of our lives - in spite of the short time he was with us. I still think about Brian a lot, what he has done for this organization. And through all the new happy memories we create, I've always wondered whether he would have enjoyed our memories too.  4. If a friend from out of town were to visit, which place in the SGV would you take them to and why? I would take them to the top of the Puente Hills on a clear day to show them how vast Los Angeles County is since the hills offer 360 views. You can see the San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles, and even Catalina Island on a clear day. Even though the region is so large, we can see how our communities are interconnected. There are no visible borders except for our freeways. 5. What you're listening to/ reading/ watching/ digging right now: I'm currently reading "The Changs Next Door to the Díazes" by Wendy Cheng (KPCC interview here). The book talks about how racial identity is shaped by place with its focus on the San Gabriel Valley. Funnily enough, I found the book while browsing The Strand Bookstore in New York. I'm currently listening to "decolonized: a love story" playlist on Spotify. Give it a listen!  Follow Andrew on social media:
IG: @Yiperoo Twitter: @Yiptastico
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 On Thursday June 27th the Metro Board of Directors formally adopted a "First/Last Mile Plan" for the Foothill Gold Line Extension Phase 2B.🛹🛴🚲 😀 Covering future stations in the Cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, and Claremont, the plan is the product of over 12 months of study and incorporates the feedback and input of over 1500 local residents. It is broken into five primary chapters, one for each station city. Each chapter includes detailed station plans, summaries of public feedback, and recommendations for improving access to the future stations. For your viewing pleasure, the team at ActiveSGV has included highlights from one station chapter below, including images, maps, and project renderings. You can view/download the full plan here. However before we dive in, a quick review of some of the high-level takeaways from the 5 community walk audits and public input process (image below). Across the five cities local residents strongly favored crosswalk and lighting improvements, shared/multi-use paths, pedestrian plazas, as well as secure bicycle parking and bike share. There was also a recognition that safe roll/bikeways should connect beyond a 1-mile radius of the station, as 3-5 miles was considered a distance that could reasonably be covered by rolling modes within 30 minutes.  Pomona Chapter Highlights Recommendations for the Pomona station are among the trickiest of the five stations, as the Gold Line will share space with the existing Metrolink station in the City, which is located between several high-speed arterials that are neither pedestrian-friendly nor easily-accessible by other rolling modes. The draft plan therefore recommends a bevy of improvements to improve conditions for people on foot, bike, skate, and other rolling modes. Thanks to ample street width, existing bike/rollways on Garey Ave. and Bonita Ave. could be upgraded to make them safer and more comfortable for people of all ages, improving the accessibility of the future station.
A proposed, new crosswalk with a pedestrian safety island at the track crossing and Garvey Ave., as well as new multi-use paths to the station from White Ave. and Garvey Ave., would further improve access from two high-speed, heavily-trafficked, arterial streets.
North-south access would also be improved by the extension of the Thompson Creek multi-use path into the City of Pomona, a transformation that would provide an off-street corridor for people on foot, bike, skate, scooter, or other rolling modes.  A summary of public input within the plan also highlights a number of other opportunities to create a vibrant walkshed around the City's new station. Examples include new bus stops adjacent to the station to facilitate transit transfers, retail/food service at the depot, wider sidewalks on Garey Ave. south of the tracks, and new street trees to provide shade for people on foot.  To learn more about recommendations for the Pomona station - or Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, or Claremont stations - check out the full First/Last Mile Plan for the Foothill Gold Line Extension here.
 Teamwork makes the dream work. Here at ActiveSGV, we are fortunate and grateful to work alongside some amazing folks! Learn more about our ActiveSGV team through our new series, Staff Spotlight. This month's spotlight is Danielle Zamora. Today is also her 3-year work anniversary! 1. How did you get started working at ActiveSGV? I discovered ActiveSGV years ago at an Earth Day event held near my home in North Whittier. It was cool to meet people who were friendly and inviting of others to ride bikes with them, especially since I didn’t feel comfortable biking on the street alone. I followed ActiveSGV on social media for a long time before I made it out to a Bicycle Safety Class held at the Jeff Seymour Family Center and then to a Bike Train. My first Bike Train was the Lunar New Year Bike Train in February 2016 where we rode from Peck Park along the Rio Hondo River Path to Whittier Narrows and Hai Nam Temple. I really appreciated the organizational culture and the types of programs they offered the community, so I selected ActiveSGV for my year long field work and research study for the completion of my Master’s in Community Psychology. I began volunteering with Women on Wheels and on Bicycle and Pedestrian Data Counts, completed a 3 day training with some of my colleagues to become a League Certified bicycle safety Instructor, and was hired in Summer 2017 to work on the SGV Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. 2. What do you like most about ActiveSGV? What I like most about ActiveSGV is being a part of an organization that is actively working to improve the health and sustainability of our neighborhoods. I enjoy organizing and taking part in free community events that get people moving and connect them with their local open spaces and hidden SGV treasures. It’s great to see new and familiar faces when you meet up for rides in different SGV cities. 3. Favorite and/or memorable ActiveSGV experience: My favorite memory is our 2018 retreat in Death Valley National Park. On our second day of riding we biked up an intense hill to Artist's Palette. It was worth the climb for the sense of accomplishment and to explore the colorful rocks. During a rest break at our destination, we played a game of Sardines (it's like Hide and Seek, but only one person hides while everyone else seeks and then has to hide with them). It wasn’t easy searching for someone hiding in a National Park, but it was a lot of fun. We work hard, but we’re also a playful bunch.  4. If a friend from out of town were to visit, which place in the SGV would you take them to and why? I would take them to the West Fork of the San Gabriel Mountains to walk or bike along the scenic road that leads to Cogswell Dam. We would pick wild blackberries and cool off in the river. I would also take them to see James Turrell Skyspace at Pomona College. It’s a whimsical outdoor art installation with a lighted canopy that frames the sky. The canopy is illuminated with changing colors every hour from sunset to sunrise. 5. What you're listening to/ reading/ watching/ digging right now: I can't stop listening to Mitski's album Be the Cowboy. I'm about half way through Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series currently reading Life, the Universe, and Everything. Social Media Handles: Check out my band! @rubbishhousegoons https://rubbishhousegoons.bandcamp.com/   We at Active San Gabriel Valley want to say a big THANK-YOU to everyone who joined us at 626 Golden Streets: Mission-to-Mission on Sunday, May 19! In case you missed it, the car-free open streets event spanned 5 miles across 3 cities in the San Gabriel Valley: San Gabriel, Alhambra and South Pasadena. Here are 6 highlights of #626GoldenStreets we’re thankful for:
And lastly, we want to give a big thank-you to our ActiveSGV team! This was our second #626GoldenStreets event (throwback to our first one back in 2017, 18+ miles), and we were excited to connect new communities to Gabe and friends. According to our event day participant survey, 626 Golden Streets | Mission-to-Mission was the first ciclovia for over half of the event attendees.  With a team entirely based in the San Gabriel Valley, ActiveSGV carries a love and passion for the SGV community. We want to see our communities thrive. With your support, we can continue hosting these fun, transformative experiences right here in the 626. Become a member today to directly support our work. Every contribution helps our work to create a more sustainable, equitable and livable region.
Love #626GoldenStreets as much as we do? Save-the-date for our next 626 Golden Streets event - SGV Streets and Treats - coming up on Saturday, October 26, 2019 in the cities of El Monte and South El Monte! The event will feature trick-or-treating stations along the route, costume contests, and three family-friendly activity hubs. For the latest updates on 626 and more, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @ActiveSGV.  Help realize the City of Pico Rivera’s first protected bike/rollway and a new pedestrian bridge across the San Gabriel River Tuesday June 25th. The proposed Pico Rivera Regional Bikeway Project would consist of a 1.5-mile protected bike/rollway along Mines Avenue (from Paramount Blvd to the San Gabriel River), a new pedestrian bridge over the San Gabriel River, and a bicycle facility along Dunlap Crossing Road.  Most of the bike/rollway would be protected by bioswales, a landscape element used to clean storm water before it goes into the storm drainage system. Drought-tolerant plants will be planted within the bioswales to help retain stormwater, cool the streetscape, and support wildlife.  People on foot, bike, skate, scooter, and other forms of healthy, active transportation would be able to use the facility, which would be separated from vehicle traffic by landscaped islands, curbs or parked vehicles as buffers. The project would also create safe connections to the existing Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River Trails. The new bridge to cross the San Gabriel River would be 14 feet wide for pedestrians and bicyclists, and would connect the west side of the San Gabriel River to the San Gabriel River Mid Trail on the east side of the river. Project renderings can be viewed here, and more information can be found on the City's website here.  Rendering of proposed pedestrian/bike bridge across the San Gabriel River. Take Action!YOUR input is needed! As always, public support and input is key to make streets safer for everyone. There are two simple ways you can do so. 1. GREATEST IMPACT: Attend the meeting Tuesday June 25th and provide public comment directly to the City Council.
2. ALSO HELPFUL: Send written comments to the City Council via email here: zcaltitla@pico-rivera.org
Template Letter of Support (please personalize!) Pico Rivera City Council 6615 Passons Blvd. Pico Rivera, CA 90660 Re: I Support the Pico Rivera Regional Bike/Rollway Project Dear Council Members, As a [local resident, student, employee, customer, etc], I am pleased to support the City’s efforts to make streets safer for everyone. Please personalize. Why do you support safer streets for walking/biking/skating/scooting? The Pico Rivera Regional Bike/Rollway Project would provide safe, separated space for children and people of all ages to walk, bike, skate, scoot, and roll to the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River paths. The project would also provide local and regional benefits, encouraging healthier, active lifestyles and taking a significant step towards realizing a network of safer, more sustainable streets in the City. Thank you for your time and consideration,   View of the 710-N "stub" heading north to Valley Blvd (Image courtesy of Google Maps)  Concept Drawing - 710 "Stub" in the City of Pasadena (Source: Moule and Polyzoides) The City of Alhambra will consider a major mobility and land-use item at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday March 11, 2019 (5:30pm). Agenda Item #2: State Route 710 Corridor focuses on the potential transformation of the 710 "stub" between I-10 and Valley Blvd. In November 2018 the Metro Board of Directors approved a $100 million allocation of Measure R funds to the City of Alhambra to support the transformation of this very large piece of land that was originally envisioned to become a surface highway through the communities of El Sereno, Alhambra, South Pasadena, and Pasadena. In 2017 the Metro Board of Directors tabled that idea, and directed staff to allocate the approximately $1 billion in Measure R sales tax funding set-aside for the 710 corridor to be used for "Transportation Demand Management and Transportation Systems Management" projects, setting off a local mobility project "wish list" process that we covered here. The shape and form of a transformed stub in Alhambra is still very much up in the air. Potential uses include a regional park, affordable housing, student housing, a transit center for CSULA, or a combination thereof. Any of these options might also include highway access to/from Valley Boulevard, or even a new, more direct connection to Cal State LA. However all of these ideas remain very much ideas at this point in time. The concept of transforming a stub is not singular to the City of Alhambra. On the other side of the long debated project corridor, residents of the City of Pasadena hosted a series of community design meetings in 2014 to revision uses for their "ditch". At that time it was assumed no public dollars would be available to remediate the site, so most concepts called for a mix of housing, commercial space, green space, and multi-modal boulevards to stitch the neighborhood back together via private funding, while still allowing traffic to enter and exit the I-134 and I-210 freeways. The "Connecting Pasadena Project" community planning process received some coverage by San Gabriel Valley Tribune editor Larry Wilson. In Alhambra's case, $100 million in Measure R Sales Tax funding for the 710 has already been allocated to the project, making it far more feasible for public/civic uses such a proposed regional park or transit center to be included in a potential redesign. ActiveSGV has not taken a formal stance on reuse of the Alhambra 710-stub. However given the size, scale, and impact of the project, and Metro's initial $100 million set-aside for it, we encourage that any formal action be informed by robust public engagement and participation, as well as greater analysis of the many options. If you would like to weigh in on this issue, you can do so by providing public comment in person at the meeting (details below), or by emailing the Council via the City Clerk: lmyles@cityofalhambra.org
Agenda Item 2. STATE ROUTE 710 CORRIDOR – F2M19-32 On May 25, 2017, the Metro Board voted not to move forward with the State Route 710 tunnel option between Interstate 10 and Interstate 210. In January 2019, Senator Portantino introduced legislation (SB7) that prohibits a surface freeway or tunnel between Interstate 10 and Interstate 210, and Assemblymember Holden has introduced legislation (AB29) removing the area from Interstate 10 to Interstate 210 from the State expressway system. Both bills leave unanswered questions on what would happen to the area between Interstate 10 and Valley Boulevard, the “stub”. Therefore, staff is requesting direction from the City Council on the City’s preferred use of the State Route 710 stub from Interstate 10 to Valley Boulevard if it is removed from the State Highway System per legislation, i.e. leave the de facto freeway, or explore housing and/or green space options, etc. Staff is also requesting that the City Council create a two-person subcommittee to work with staff and both Senator Portantino and Assemblymember Holden on the proposed legislation as it evolves, and periodically report back to the entire City Council. Recommended Action: City Council take the following actions:
 The "stub" from above (Image: Google Maps)  Wheel-grabbing cracks and potholes, uplifted sidewalks, faded crosswalks. These are just a few of the conditions people who bike, walk, skate, or scoot have to deal with on a daily basis while getting around town. Poor road and sidewalk conditions are also the cause of many preventable crashes and falls.
With recent rains and more rain on the way, the number of new potholes on SGV streets is on the rise, making an active commute even more challenging. You can help speed the pace of repairs and save others from serious injury or death by reporting unsafe street conditions when you see them. It’s an easy way to be a good neighbor and save others from harm. Most cities allow reporting to be done via phone, email, and in some cases even mobile app. Whichever mode you choose you’ll want to be sure to provide as much detail as possible, including nearest cross street. Sharing a photo of the condition can help too. Reporting Damaged Roads, Sidewalks, or Bicycle Facilities
Reporting a Hit-and-Run Call 911.  I spent the majority of my childhood in the San Gabriel Valley, from feeding the ducks at Whittier Narrows to walking the trails at Santa Fe Dam. My memories of this place are filled with nostalgia and love. Moving back to the SGV as an adult, those sentiments remained, yet now they are filled with hope and ambition. When I started volunteering with ActiveSGV I had no idea it would change the course of my personal life and career. I never imagined the organization would play such a vital role in my growth and lead me back to my passion of public health. Now as a staff member, I can't help but feel inspired by colleagues who are committed to fighting the environmental injustices and health disparities our diverse communities face. While motivated, we can’t accomplish our goals alone. We need your support - that is why I am asking you to become an ActiveSGV member today!
Get involved today:
In case you missed it, we are also transitioning our brand from BikeSGV to ActiveSGV! We are shaking things up, and evolving the way we approach health and sustainability. On April 11 we are unveiling our new mission, vision, and logo and can't wait to celebrate with you at the “Every Day is Earth Day Fundraiser”! The ActiveSGV team is incredibly appreciative of the generosity and support of our members. We will continue to provide you with new t-shirts, collectible stickers, bike rentals but more importantly, you will be part of a growing community that strives to make the San Gabriel Valley a more sustainable, equitable and liveable place to live, work and play!  CALL FOR SCULPTORS
Background Active San Gabriel Valley (ActiveSGV) is calling all local artists for a first-time project at the SGV Bicycle Education Center and Campus in the friendly City of El Monte. The project consists of the development of a public art piece for the newly transformed Jeff Seymour Family Center, a community non-profit village that includes a playground, over 300 recently planted native trees, and the SGV’s first bike campus or “traffic garden”. Local artist(s) are needed to create a sculpture with stationary piece(s) of up-cycled discarded bicycles and bicycle parts (which the bike center can provide on site). Artwork shall highlight or express the joys of active living as well as the many pressing health problems including some of the nation’s worst air pollution, chronic illnesses associated with sedentary lifestyles, and climate change. Created works shall remain on the campus for constituents to enjoy. With the support of ActiveSGV, artists shall seek to provide local residents and youth the opportunity to help realize the up-cycled sculpture. Project Description The call is open to all artists with minimal or extensive experience of up-cycled materials. Concepts shall incorporate one or more of the below-listed themes.
When selecting your artwork keep in mind the relationship between the San Gabriel Valley’s landscape, it's past, and hopes for a sustainable future. We welcome your ideas and creativity is encouraged. Up-cycled materials and basic necessary tools to create the sculpture are provided. Artwork and labor is compensated monetarily upon the completion of the project. Schedule/Timeline
ActiveSGV retains the right to extend the project timeline. How to Apply Artists interested in being considered should email a brief cover letter and images containing samples of their work to Diane Velez at diane@activesgv.org by 5:00 pm on February 28, 2019. |
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ActiveSGV is a project of Community Partners, a non-profit public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.