Program rides for better air quality
Carpooling, bike riding are keys to 'Dog the Smog'
By CINDY GONZALES
The first “Dog the Smog” rally was held to raise the level of student awareness about Valley air quality and health problems caused by air pollution.
Fresno State students were urged to use the Red Bike Program or carpool to help fight Valley air pollution Wednesday in the Free Speech Area.
“Please get out of your cars and use a bike or carpool,” said Annette Harvey, Fresno State’s alternative transportation coordinator.
Freshman mechanical engineering major Ashraf Qader rides the solar-powered car that past mechanical engineering students created. The car goes 5 miles per hour. Photo by Emily Tuck |
Harvey said the Red Bike Program, which began in the 2001 spring semester and now offers more than 375 new and used bikes for students to rent each semester, is one of the most affordable ways for students to help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion in the Valley.
“We encourage students to use the bikes on campus and in the community,” Harvey said.
Frank Puccio helped coordinate the rally for his business management 182 class after he had rented his bike and realized the benefits the program had to offer.
“I basically ride my bike for some exercise and to help preserve our air quality,” Puccio said.
Puccio said he rides his bike to get to school and to run errands around town.
“Air quality is a significant problem in the Valley,” said Janelle Schneider, education specialist for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
Schneider said stagnant fog does not permit air movement, trapping particulate matter in the air, causing pollution to become worse during the winter months.
“Air pollution and lung health really, really affect people,” said Josette M. Merced Bello, president of the American Lung Association.
Bello said Fresno County has the highest asthma rate in California, three times higher than the national average. She said recent studies have found that asthma is linked to air pollution.
“If students would walk, carpool or ride a bike a few times a week, it would make a big difference,” Bello said.
Daisy Cordero and Maria Ramirez are two Fresno State freshmen who know the benefits of carpooling.
They carpool from Sanger together. Both like trading off driving responsibilities and saving gas money.
“We have fun, we listen to the radio and talk,” Cordero said. “We even carpool when we go out to plays and events.”
For more information about commuter services call 278-8844 or e-mail www.csufresno.edu/parking.
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