Editing Car-Free Day at Humboldt State University

{{TOC|right}}

== What is World Car-Free Day? ==

From the [http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/ World Carfree Network]:
:World Carfree Day is an annual celebration of cities and public life, free from the noise, stress and pollution of cars. Each year on September 22, people around the world organize events of all sizes to showcase alternatives to the automobile. World Carfree Network invites organizations and individuals everywhere to join.

:World Carfree Day began as an open call for a grassroots celebration of cities without cars. The date, September 22, was chosen to coincide with the EU-sponsored European Mobility Week, but our hope is to involve people at all levels of society and from all over the world.

:Carfree days were organised as early as during the oil crisis of the 1970s, and several carfree days were organised in European cities during the early 1990s. An international carfree day was organised in Europe in 1999, which was the pilot project for the European Union's "In Town Without My Car" campaign. This campaign continues as European Mobility Week.

:In 2000, Car Busters (the precursor to World Carfree Network) issues an open call for a "World Carfree Day," to coincide with Europe's carfree day on September 22. Since then, we have continued to call for activists and citizens to organise World Carfree Day events on or near September 22. ([http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/faq.php World Carfree Day history])

== History of Car-Free Day at Cal Poly Humboldt ==

[http://www.humboldt.edu/~hsuas/readfile.php?file=resolutions%2FResolution+car+free+day.htm On 22 September 2003, Cal Poly Humboldt was the first U.S. university to celebrate Car-Free Day]. The day of celebration was sponsored and coordinated by what was then the Alternative Transportation Club of [[Wikipedia:Cal Poly Humboldt|Cal Poly Humboldt]], founded by Renee Stork. The ATC changed its name to [http://green-wheels.org/ Green Wheels] in the fall of 2006. HSU has celebrated Car-Free Day in 2004, '05, and '06. It has become a regular annual event on the HSU campus. Each year it is an opportunity to highlight the fun, healthful, aesthetic, and community-building benefits of [[Wikipedia:sustainable transportation|sustainable transportation]] by bringing the community together for a morning bike ride to campus and free breakfast, and by closing "B" street to automobile traffic to create a pedestrian corridor and artistic space for pastel artwork, among other events. It is also a venue for Green Wheels promote itself and its sustainable transportation initiatives and projects for the year.

== Purpose of this Appropedia page ==

Green Wheels dedicates considerable time and effort to plan and coordinate Car-Free Day. Many of the same tasks must be performed every year, most often by new club officers, members and volunteers, as there is constant turnover in any student organization at a university. This page is document the necessary steps to making Car-Free Day happen, streamlining the process for busy student organizers. Since the document is on a [[wiki]], it is well-suited to be adjusted and refined with each successive year. This page is being maintained on Appropedia, not privately on [http://docs.google.com/ Google Documents] or another online collaborative space in hope that other university campuses might use this information to coordinate their own Car-Free Day celebration. Putting Car-Free Day planning information on Appropedia is also an effective way to introduce more people to Appropedia, a website begun at HSU, which is becoming an increasingly useful tool for the [[appropriate technology]] community.

== Planning and coordinating Car-Free Day ==

== Spring semester prior ==

=== Decide what day to have CFD ===

World Car-Free Day is September 22nd, so HSU has generally celebrated on Sep 22 with the rest of the world. In 2006, however HSU celebrated CFD on Thursday, Sep 21st because the 22nd fell on a Friday, when fewer students would have been on campus. If September 22nd falls on a weekend day, Car-Free Day at HSU obviously needs to be scheduled for a different day.

=== Create a schedule of events ===

It is imperative that a schedule of events is decided upon even before the fall semester begins. If a schedule of events is still being created when the fall semester begins, CFD promotion including fliers, advertising, press releases, brochures, webpages and email announcements must all be delayed until the schedule of events is determined.

'''Events for consideration:'''

* Tour d'Arcata
* Breakfast
* Speakers
* Music
* Art on "B" Street
* Contests
** Log-pull
** Fix-a-flat
** Heaviest bike
** Best-decorated bike
** Best bike commuter outfit
** Longest commute
* Forums
* Films
* Parking space demonstrations
* Tune-up and bike maintenance assistance

== Promoting Car-Free Day ==

=== Fliers & publications ===

* Produce Community Wheel newsletter before CFD with special "CFD insert"
* In 2006, 500 trifolds were printed by [http://web.archive.org/web/20100603005611/http://www.humboldt.edu/~graphics/ HSU Graphic Services] with info on what is going to go down. For $50 you can have 500 printed on both sides on a color of your choice. For an additional $5.00 you can have them fold them, which is worth your time. It is good to pass out trifolds with class announcements.
* 250 full-color tabloid-size posters were printed in 2006 using [http://web.archive.org/web/20100603005611/http://www.humboldt.edu/~graphics/ HSU Graphic Services]
* Posters can be hung around the community; divide up responsibility for hanging posters by regions - in Arcata and other towns
* Stickers: In 2005 Green Wheels purchuced 1000 blue and white bike stickers from [http://www.blackjackhumboldt.com/ Blackjack] at 801 K street in Arcata. Their number is 707-826-0331. Allow a couple of weeks for printing. Now, you can see Car-Free Day stickers all over town.

=== Chalking & staking ===

* Get a poster staking and chalking permit from the [http://web.archive.org/web/20100528082054/http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/clubs/ Clubs office]. This permit will need to be approved by [http://web.archive.org/web/20100530100423/http://www.humboldt.edu/%7Eplantops/ HSU Plant Operations] and returned to the Clubs Office. Streamline this process by sending the permit via campus mail to Plant Ops, with a note asking them to return it by campus mail to the Clubs Office.

=== Press contacts ===

* Send out press releases and follow through with a phone call a few days later. The more you badger them, the more likely you are to get some press. Press releases can be sent to:
** [http://www.arcataeye.com Arcata Eye] - news at arcataeye.com
** [http://www.northcoastjournal.com North Coast Journal] - ncjournal at northcoastjournal.com
** [http://www.times-standard.com Times-Standard] - editor at times-standard.com
** Eureka Reporter - editor at eureka-reporter.com
** [http://web.archive.org/web/20210125090038/http://www.khum.com/ KHUM] - info at khum.com
** [http://www.kslg.com KSLG]
** [http://www.khsu.org KHSU] - Katie Whiteside, kvw7001 at humboldt.edu
*** It's usually possible to get an interview on the [http://www.khsu.org/new/homepage.html "KHSU Homepage"] program
** [http://web.archive.org/web/20080118075437/http://www2.humboldt.edu:80/~merge/ HSU Lumberjack]
* Other groups to nofify:
** [http://www.humbike.org Humboldt Bike Bike Commuters Association]
** [http://www.nrsrcaa.org/humpal/ Humboldt Partnership for Active Living]
** [http://web.archive.org/web/20200909152829/http://www.duhc.org/ Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County]

=== Announcement opportunities ===

* Submit announcement for "HSU Weekly University Notices" sent out via email
** Submit through clubs office
** Submit before Wednesday of the week before CFD.
* Schedule Car-Free Day on the green wheels facebook page. Ask all group members to broadcast invite out to their facebook network.
* Class Anouncements: Have people tell all of their classes what is going on and when. This is a good time to pass out trifolds, stickers, and write a message on the chalk board.

== Organizing breakfast food ==

=== Sources & contacts ===

These are the sources that we have contacted in the past:
;[http://www.losbagels.com/ Los Bagels]
:Store phone: 822-3150
:While they may only be able to donate a few dozen bagels for breakfast, they have been wonderful about letting us take their frozen day old bagels. All you need to do is find some freezer space and they will let you take as many as you need. In 2005 we had 200 bagels total and this was plenty. In 2006 we had 250 bagels which was way too much.
;[http://www.northcoastco-op.com/ Northcoast Co-op]
:Karen Brooks (karenbrooks at northcoastco-op.com)
:The bakery donated day old bread that we then froze, but last year they did not have day old stuff.
;[http://www.yellowpages.com/sp/moreinfo/index.jsp?id=74117508&q=safeway Safeway]
;[http://wildberries.com/ Wildberries]
:Manager: Phil (822-0095 x12)
:You need to talk to Phil if you want more than 10 bucks. If you only want 10 bucks you can go in and they will give you a gift certificate. If you talk to Phil, we can make more possible.
;Don's Donuts
:I am sure if we contacted them early enough they would donate
;[http://www.sacred-grounds.com/ Sacred Grounds]
:Store phone: 822-0690
:Spoke to (manager): Derek
:Sacred Grounds has been wonderful in the past, lending us several airpots
;[http://www.yellowpages.com/sp/moreinfo/index.jsp?id=22432919&q=royal%20cookie%20capers Royal Cookie Capers]
:Every year they donated a ton of cookie ends that can't be sold but are devine. Contact far enough in advance so they can start saving them for us.
;[https://www.tofushop.com/ Tofu Shop]
:Store phone: 822-7401
:Their spreads are excellent on Bagels
;Brio Bread
:1309 11th St Ste 101, Arcata,707-822-0791
:They need at least 2 months notice because so many people ask for food.
;[http://www.murphysmarkets.net/ Murphy's Market]
:785 Bayside Rd, Arcata,(707) 822-7665
:Donated a box of melons every year.
;Mad River Jam
:Donated several containers of jam in the past. Need to remember to save jars and return.
;[http://web.archive.org/web/20060522172106/http://tribes.tribe.net:80/coffeebreak Coffee Break in Sunny Brae]

Other things besides Food that you need to get for breakfast:
;Cups:
:[http://web.archive.org/web/20100603160201/http://www.humboldt.edu/~recycle/rose R.O.S.E.] has about 50 cups you can check out. You need to clean then before returning.
:[http://web.archive.org/web/20061213155309/http://www.humboldt.edu:80/%7Edining/thej/ The "J"] checks out cups. Last year we borrowed over 200 cups from the J. However it is hard to make sure they all get checked back in, and we had to pay $3 per cup not returned. Borrowing those cups cost us close to $25.00. Be sure to have some one responsible for making sure cups are returned. We had a sign, but an anouncement would be good.
;Bagel Slicer:
:The J has let us borrow a bagel slicer the day of in the past. Be sure to have someone responsible for returning it.
;Tables
:The Clubs Office has tables for clubs to use. You need to get the key for the table closet the night before, because they are not open at 6:00 when you start set up. Tables can be stored at the [http://web.archive.org/web/20100529222211/http://www.humboldt.edu/~hsublc/ BLC] if you ask before. If your name is on the BLC key list you can get a key from UPD anytime.
;Serving Stuff:
:You are going to need knives, plates, platters, spoons, cream pourers... Stuff for cream and sugar has been borrowed from Sacred Grounds in the past. The other stuff from people. I would suggest making arangement to have peoples stuff returned or you will never get it all back.
;Napkins
:Buy non-bleached napkins so they can be composted. These can work for plates.
;Compost
:You can get a couple buckets from the [http://web.archive.org/web/20061022203435/http://www.humboldt.edu:80/~recycle/Composthtml.html HSU compost program]. Put them out during breakfast to divert [[organic waste]]. Buckets can be emptied at the compost site over by [[CCAT]][http://web.archive.org/web/20100629034647/http://www.humboldt.edu:80/~ccat/].

=== "Serve Safe Training" ===

Two volunteers or club members serving food must watch the "Serve Safe Training" video prior to the breakfast. For more information, see [http://web.archive.org/web/20080725040649/http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/clubs/policies.php this page on Clubs & Activities Policies].

=== Form letter ===

A pre-written form letter is available on Google Documents to ask businesses to donate food.

=== Thanking donors ===

Afterwards, businesses need to be thanked for donating food. See [[#After CFD follow-up|section on Car-Free Day follow-up]].

== Permits & safety precautions ==

* Tour d'Arcata needs a parade permit from the [http://web.archive.org/web/20090528182938/http://www.arcatacityhall.org/ City of Arcata]
* [http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/ CalTrans] provides vests for Tour d'Arcata monitors
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20100611032208/http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu:80/parking/ Parking & Commuter Services] authorizes the closure of "B" Street
* You may need to fill out a event planning form or other document and submit to [http://web.archive.org/web/20100603145615/http://www.humboldt.edu/%7Eprocure/risk_management.htm HSU Risk Management] (contact info and forms are available on this website).

== Organizing volunteers ==

In 2006, [http://docs.google.com/ Google Docs & Spreadsheets] was used to share volunteer sign-up sheets. The 2006 volunteer spreadsheet can be viewed here. You will need a [https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount Google Account] and an invitation from a Green Wheels member to view this spreadsheet. If you need an invitation to view this spreadsheet, email wheels at humboldt.edu.

Last year's volunteers can first be emailed from last year's spreadsheet. Then the google group, [http://groups.google.com/group/greenwheels greenwheels at googlegroups.com] can be used to request volunteers. By including a link to the volunteer spreadsheet, prospective volunteers can see an up-to-the minute picture of exactly where and when help is still needed.

== Event day ==

== Tour d'Arcata ==

All participants must sign a liability waiver:

* Download the Microsoft Word format [http://green-wheels.org/files/cfd/Tour%20d'Arcata%20liability%20waiver.doc Tour d'Arcata liability waiver].
* There is a special [http://green-wheels.org/files/cfd/Youth%20liability%20waiver.doc Youth liability waiver] for under-18 participants with parent/guardian signature lines.

== Breakfast ==

Green Wheels members or volunteers should personally greet every bus- or bike- commuting breakfast guest and ask them to register, taking down their email address for the announcement list if they are willing. Personally greeting each participant and writing down their email address for them will not only increase the number of addresses we are able to collect, but will also ensure that each email address is legibly written.

Green Wheels contact cards with website, email address, and meeting times should be offered, preferably, again, by a human being, instead of just sitting on the table.

Breakfast is the opportunity to make announcements of interest and use to Green Wheels and the sustainable transportation community:

* Point out any dignitaries to encourage their continued annual participation:
** HSU administrators
** City council members
** Leaders for other sustainable transportation programs
* Thank volunteers
* Highlight upcoming events of the day
* Outline benefits of sustainable transportation
* Bring up current projects on the sustainable transportation agenda for campus and Arcata
* Thank food donors

== "B" Street ==

* Volunteers at top and bottom of hill with vests provided by [http://web.archive.org/web/20100611032208/http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu:80/parking/ Parking and Commuter Services] allow campus and emergency vehicles through
* Make pastels available for all participants to interact with the street through art!
* Hang Car-Free Day posters or Green Wheels posters at the top and bottom of "B" street so people know what the @#$% is going on.
* Offer Green Wheels contact cards and email list sign-up at top and bottom of hill
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20100529222211/http://www.humboldt.edu/~hsublc// Bicycle Learning Center] sets up mobile station on "B" Street
* Emphasize the [http://web.archive.org/web/20100603085354/http://www.humboldt.edu/~mastplan/ HSU masterplan] calls for "B" street to become a pedestrian corridor closed to passenger car traffic and parking.

== Contests ==

== Music ==

* Amplification is only allowed on the quad from noon-1pm.
* What are the regulations regarding music on "B" Street?

== Forum ==

[http://web.archive.org/web/20060915162001/http://www.humboldt.edu/~wheels/car_free_day/2005.html In 2005, there was a transportation forum of administrators] in the Kate Buchanan Room.

== Film screening ==

In [http://web.archive.org/web/20060915162001/http://www.humboldt.edu/~wheels/car_free_day/2005.html 2005], [http://web.archive.org/web/20210127232446/http://www.tedwhitegreenlight.com/cm.htm We are Traffic], [https://www.endofsuburbia.com/ End of Suburbia], and [http://web.archive.org/web/20210126062557/http://www.tedwhitegreenlight.com/scorcher.htm Return of the Scorcher] were shown in the KBR.

== After CFD follow-up ==

== Thank you's ==

* Thank volunteers by email
* Thank donors with written letters
* Acknowledge donors, volunteers, and other helpful people (staff & administrators) in [http://groups.google.com/group/greenwheels Green Wheels email group] message

== Process review and assessment ==

* Discuss what worked well and what didn't at Green Wheels meeting
* Make notes on this document so the next year's celebration is even better.

== Follow-up in the press ==

* Put photos Car-Free Day photos up on green wheels website, [http://www.flickr.com/photos/hsugreenwheels/ Green Wheels flickr account], or [http://picasa.google.com picasa]
* Submit press releases hailing the success of Car-Free Day, particularly highlighting pedestrians' positive experiences on "B" street, and the fact that the [http://web.archive.org/web/20100603085354/http://www.humboldt.edu/~mastplan/ HSU masterplan] calls for "B" street to become a pedestrian corridor closed to passenger car traffic and parking.

{{Page data}}

[[Category:Coordination]]
[[Category:Sustainability demonstration events]]
[[Category:Cal Poly Humboldt]]
[[Category:Public transport]]
[[Category:Carfree]]