This January, Transform’s Program Managers, Michele Walker and Sheila Islam, and Alameda Transportation Engineer Rochelle Wheeler were invited to speak with the newly formed Alameda Youth Climate Ambassadors, a group of students representing environmental clubs on Alameda high school and middle school campuses, about transportation and Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S). Youth Task Force members Samuel Phu and Ryan Chen, from Encinal Jr. Sr. High School, and Logan Mevoli and Keenan Chan, from Alameda High School, joined the presentation to talk specifically about Safe Routes efforts on their own campuses. 

Youth share climate concerns

The Youth Task Force is part of Transform’s SR2S program. High school students help run Safe Routes events and programs and learn leadership skills, bringing the joy and freedom of getting around by walking, rolling, and shared transportation to other students.

The students at Alameda High shared that they created the Safe Routes to Schools Club this year to encourage more students on campus to utilize active and shared transportation to get to school. So far, they have hosted International Walk and Roll to School Day and are looking forward to Reboot Your Commute in February and, hopefully, a BikeMobile this spring. 

During the meeting, they met another Alameda High student in the environmental committee in the Leadership Class. With that connection, they can reach more students and connect their work to the other climate initiatives at Alameda High. 

Peer education sends a strong message

Encinal students, who run Safe Routes activities through the leadership class, shared their experiences with Safe Routes events and their campaign to educate peers about upcoming construction projects that will impact students along their commutes to school. One of their main goals for Safe Routes is to educate students about the environmental impact of transportation and how to safely use active and shared transportation to get to school. 

During the meeting, the Encinal students connected with a student who takes part in the YouthPower club on their campus. This club seeks to fight climate change, and the Youth Task Force members can team up with their new connection to reach more students since the mission of Safe Routes and the mission of YouthPower are closely aligned. 

Making the impact of transportation choices real

In addition to presenting about Safe Routes to Schools and transportation updates throughout Alameda, the group participated in a “Travel Race” activity, which encourages participants to look at the different impacts of walking, biking, taking public transit, and driving to school. They compared how much time it takes, the exercise you get, the cost, and the carbon emissions for each mode of transportation. 

Students were surprised to learn just how much their transportation choices can impact other facets of their lives. These dedicated Alameda youth are ready to tackle a variety of transportation issues and are excited to share the joy of walking, biking, and taking transit with their peers.