Clean Air - October is "Rideshare Awareness Month"

LOS ANGELES – October is Rideshare Awareness Month. As more businesses and schools are going back to offices and campuses, vehicle traffic is trending upward, and in some areas, above where it was before the pandemic. Throughout the year, the Los Angeles County Rideshare Program (LACRP) encourages commuters to seek alternatives to driving alone to work or school, such as walking, bicycling, carpooling, vanpooling, riding public transit, or driving an electric car. These clean commute options help reduce commuter’s costs, reduce traffic congestion, and create cleaner air by reducing air pollution.  

"Alternative transportation strategies help the State of California meet its mandatory clean air goals," said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor to the First District.

To commemorate Rideshare Awareness Month, the LACRP events include:

Electrifyze – A new service for commuters who are considering to buy an electric car. The service includes a website for commuters to learn about the benefits of electric cars, browse available options, and sign up to get help from a FREE Electrifyze car buying coach. Electrifyze coaches make the electric car shopping process easy by helping commuters to identify electric car options, identify available incentives, arrange test drives, and help car buyers get the best deal on their chosen electric car. Commuters can learn about electric cars at Electrifyze.LA/ev101 and sign up to get help from an Electrifyze coach at Electrifyze.LA/acquire.

“We launched Electrifyze to help Los Angeles County achieve its objective of becoming fossil fuel free and have been delighted by the positive response from thousands of their employees,” said Dr. Samveg Saxena, CEO at Green Light Labs, the company that created Electrifyze in partnership with the Los Angeles County.

Clean Air Rideshare Fair – From October 6 through October 22, 2021, all County employees and residents can participate in the virtual Clean Air Rideshare Fair. By joining, participants can learn about clean commute options and their benefits and be entered in a virtual contest to win prizes. To participate, register online for the Virtual Rideshare Fair.

“When we launched our first virtual Rideshare contest last year in October, we had over 1,400 employees participate online. The survey feedback and responses from employees was fantastic,” said Eddie Washington, Manager of the LACRP. Given the success from last year’s event, the County decided to open the virtual event to all members of the public. “This year, we are looking forward to helping many more thousands of employees and residents to learn about alternative transportation options and encourage them to adopt electric vehicles for their personal use. It’s what we need for Los Angeles County to become fossil fuel free,” said Mr. Washington.

The Clean Air Pledge – October 6, 2021 is Clean Air Day. Los Angeles County residents are encouraged to take The Clean Air Pledge to Switch It Out, Plant Something, and/or Reduce Vehicle Emissions to create clean air in our communities. 

According to the Department of Public Health, in Los Angeles County, the environmental and public health benefits of meeting clean air goals are compelling. As just one example: Approximately 1 in 11 children or 9% and 1 in 14 adults or 6% in the County have asthma. By promoting the use of rideshare options, the County can do its part to improve air quality and public health by helping to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled.

Do your part by visiting Electrifyze.LA/ev101, participating in the Virtual Rideshare Fair, and taking The Clean Air Pledge. Care to Rideshare!

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