Line-Up for Clean Air Day in San Diego Announced

San Diego County elected leaders and community advocates are raising awareness about the importance of improving air quality by recognizing October 2 as ‘Clean Air Day’ and hosting events to promote the statewide ‘Clean Air Day ‘of Action spearheaded by the Coalition for Clean Air.

Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, San Diego’s representative on the California Air Resources Board, today along with Councilmember Chris Ward and community leaders announced a strong line-up of four ‘Clean Air Day’ events planned for San Diego County.

On Clean Air Day, San Diego County residents will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities that will help improve air quality. The following events have been scheduled:

Supervisor Fletcher’s Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive
Oct. 2, 11am - 2pm - County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, 92101
Take a test drive in an electric vehicle at the County Administration Center. Electric vehicle experts will be present to discuss the vehicles, and share why electric vehicles are part of our regional air pollution solution. To learn more visit www.SupervisorNathanFletcher.com

Bikes SD’s Family Bike Ride and Cargo Bike Demonstration
Oct. 2, 1pm - 4pm - Linda Vista Elementary, 2772 Ulric St, San Diego, 92111
A Family Bike Ride and Cargo Bike Demonstration! We will encourage and educate the community about everyday bicycle riding with young children and give away FREE HELMETS. The neighborhood ride will provide education and support for everyday bicycling to school, errands, shopping, and enjoyment with children. Learn about emissions reductions and many other benefits of riding bicycles for transportation, instead of driving a car. Following the ride, there will be educational workshops and demonstrations of cargo bikes and the many varieties of bicycles (such as eBikes and folding bikes) available in today’s marketplace, bicycle riding safety information, and ways to carry children, pets, and items on a bicycle.

MTS’ Free Ride Day
Oct. 2, All Day
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is bringing back Free Ride Day for the second year. All buses, Trolleys, the SPRINTER and COASTER will be free! By participating in Free Ride Day you can beat traffic, and fight pollution.

Clean Air Day @ First Saturdays!
Oct. 5, 1pm - 5pm - 6601 Imperial Ave, San Diego, 92114
Bike rodeo, community bike ride, free food, environmental justice workshop, vendors, electric vehicle education, free tree give away, free bike give away (child), painting, clean energy technology, energy saving give away, bounce house, dancing, music, fun. To learn more visit the event website.

“Initiatives like ‘Clean Air Day’ galvanize the community,” said Supervisor Fletcher. “I am optimistic that the growing chorus of advocates calling for clean air will create significant change for our region’s environmental justice issues.”

According to the American Lung Association, San Diego County has the sixth worst air quality in the entire country, and the region is not in compliance with the federal Clean Air Act for ozone.

“Air pollution is a serious health risk for San Diegans across our region, but we can do something about it,” said Councilmember Ward. “On Clean Air Day, October 2nd, give public transportation a try, plant a tree, and support a move to renewable energy.”

The statewide day of action and events in San Diego will draw attention to the air pollution in the state, resulting from driving, climate change, and wildfires, and the solutions that governments, companies, and individuals can implement.

More information about the events statewide are found online: https://cleanairday.org/events/

The announcement took place at the County Administration Center with officials standing with examples of zero emissions technology, including electric bikes and vehicles. Proclamations from Supervisor Fletcher and Councilmember Ward were presented to community leaders for their work to raise the profile of air quality issues locally.

Committed to Improving Air Quality
Championing Clean Air Day is another action taken by Supervisor Fletcher, with the support of Councilmember Ward and members of the community, to improve air quality. Earlier this year Supervisor Fletcher introduced policies that will reduce emissions from stationary polluters, create infrastructure to support electric vehicles, support local renewable generation from a community choice energy program, and provide grant funding to convert diesel trucks to electric.