Clean Energy > Alternative Transportation

Alternative Transportation

Alternatives to the single-passenger commute available in our community – like buses, trains, and ride shares – and greener transportation options like telecommuting, biking, and walking will reduce vehicle miles traveled while improving health and creating more vibrant communities. By designing a new approach to travel, we can more permanently address the hard-to-reach greenhouse gas emissions of the transportation sector and reach our climate goals sooner.

How you can take action

Get Educated

Visit our Electric Ride 805 website to learn more about public transportation options in our region and subscribe to our email list to stay updated on the latest news, events, and opportunities to engage.

Walk

Not every city is walkable, but many are. If you have the option, put on your walking shoes, get your steps in, and discover your community. If you have a smart phone, download a navigation app that will help you find the fastest pedestrian route.

Telecommute

If you have the option, consider working from home. Whether it’s full-time, once a week, or a few times per month, telecommuting means large benefits for pollution and traffic. if you’re an employer or a manager, consider implementing a policy for your staff to have the option to telecommute based on what works best for your company.

Bike or Bike Share

Increasing your number of bike commute trips is one of the most effective and immediate ways to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. If you commute more than a few miles, consider an electric bike that makes it easier than ever to bike to work, the grocery store, or anywhere you need to go. Even if you do not have the means to purchase a new bike, there is likely a bike share program available (or soon-to-be) in a city near you.

Share a Ride

Ride sharing offers a great way to save money on gas, share or avoid driving, and forgo the hassle of finding parking. Carpool with friends, family, and co-workers when possible, consider downloading a ride share app on your smart phone so the option is always at your fingertips, and utilize online forums to look for or post carpool opportunities.

Take Public Transport

Whether you need to travel across town, get a lift to a neighboring city, or journey cross-country, most residents in most cities have access to local and regional bus and train transportation options. Opting for public transport will save you money on gas and can be convenient if you don’t have an option for parking your car at the end of the line. Check your city’s public transportation website for options local to you.

Fly Less

By far one of the most climate-impactful activities that most Americans engage in is air travel, with an international trip releasing as much carbon as months of driving. Evaluate whether every work-related trip is necessary and consider replacing some of these trips with video chats. When thinking about leisure travel, consider limiting jet setting to once per year instead of twice per year – or replacing one air travel trip with a road trip. One of the single most impactful climate actions each of us could take would be to cut our airline travel in half, permanently.

What CEC Is Doing

Electric Ride 805

In 2011, CEC helped launch Electric Ride 805 (formerly Electric Drive 805), a coalition dedicated to achieving a rapid, equitable transition to zero-emission transportation on California’s Central Coast. The site covers clean transportation options available in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties, from personal EVs to public transportation. Learn more at Electri cRide8 05 .org.