How Do You Go Human?
Walk
Go Human with your own two feet! Walking is one of the easiest ways to get active and stay fit. It’s free, reduces stress, prevents disease, and can connect you to your community in a whole new way.
- Walk Safely: Tips on the Go
- Cross at the corner and use crosswalks when available.
- Even if you have the right of way, look both ways. Make eye contact to be sure drivers see you. Don’t assume drivers will stop.
- If you have young children, teach and reinforce safe walking.
- When wearing earphones, keep volume low enough to still be able to hear traffic or indications of danger, or wear just one earpiece.
- Stand clear of hedges, buses, parked cars or other objects that could make it difficult for drivers to see you.
- Wait for the walk signal before crossing. Don’t enter the crosswalk if the hand is flashing or solid red.
- Wear something bright or reflective when its dark. Cross the street in a well-lit area if possible.
- On trails/paths used by people biking, look behind you before making sudden turns.
- When hiking, always let someone know your route, destination and expected return time.
- At mid-block crossings, even if one car stops at a crosswalk, do not assume other motorists can see you and will stop for you.
- The Perks of Walking
- Want to know the secret to a happy life? Walking can reduce depression and anxiety.
- Walking 30 minutes a day can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Walking briskly can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes as much as running.
- On average, a 20-minute walk can burn 100 calories! Where will you walk instead of drive?
Bike
Go Human by biking! Improve your health, save money, help the environment, and avoid traffic and the hassle of parking. Enjoy the ride!
- Bike Safely: Tips on the Go
- Always ride in the same direction as traffic (CVC 21200).
- Stop at all stop signs and red lights. All traffic laws and regulations apply to people biking as well as motorists (CVC 21200).
- Be predictable. Signal your intentions and only change lanes when safe to do so (CVC 22111).
- When riding at night, use front and back lights, and reflectors to the sides to make yourself visible.
- Helmets reduce your chance of brain injuries in case of a crash. Children under 18 on a bicycle are required to wear helmets by state law (CVC 21212).
- People biking may not park their bicycle on a bike path (CVC 21211) or sidewalk (CVC 21206) in a way that impedes the path of people biking or walking.
- People biking should ride as far to the right as safe, but can take a lane if the road is too narrow, or avoiding hazards (potholes, parked cars, debris) or preparing for left turn (CVC 21202).
- People biking must use a bike lane if going slower than traffic, but can leave the bike lane to avoid obstructions and hazards or to make a left turn (CVC 21208).
- Individual cities and counties can decide if people biking can ride on sidewalks (CVC 21206). Slow down for people on sidewalks, crosswalks or bike paths.
- Low Speed (less than 20 mph) electric bicycles are allowed to use all bikeways unless specifically prohibited (CVC 21213). Mid speed (less than 28 MPH) bikes are prohibited on bike paths/trails.
- Did You Know?
- You can save as much as $8,000 by owning a bike instead of a car. The average American household spends more on transportation than on food or healthcare.
- Commuting by bike burns an average 540 calories/hour.
- A bicycle commuter who rides five miles to work four days a week avoids 2,000 miles of driving and can save over 100 gallons of gas (on top of any parking costs) each year.
- Men who bicycle to work have lower obesity rates as well as healthier triglycerides levels, blood pressure and insulin levels.
Scoot
E-scooters are a great way to get around, help the environment, get fresh air and avoid traffic. Keep these safety tips in mind to make sure you enjoy the ride!
- Ride With Care
- Helmets reduce your chance of brain injuries in case of a crash.
- Ride in bike lanes or in the street close to the curb. Don’t ride on sidewalks.
- Park your scooter out of the street and out of the way of people walking. Park on the sidewalk close to the curb, or near dedicated bike or scooter parking areas.
- Riders must be at least 18 years old, and only one rider per scooter is allowed.
- Stop at all stop signs and red lights. All traffic laws apply to people riding scooters and drivers.
- Go with the flow. Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Every intersection is a crosswalk, even if unmarked. Always stop for people crossing the street.
- Be alert. Put your cell phone away. Keep your eyes on the road and watch for other roadway users, including people walking and biking.
- Did You Know?
- 14 percent of all trips in Southern California are one mile or less. These short trips equate to less than a five-minute bike ride or 20-minute walk.
- If you run errands by riding a scooter, bicycling or walking, you can save about 500 gallons of fuel and avoid releasing 10,000 pounds of CO2 into the air each year.
- Some e-scooter companies (like Bird) offer free helmets to active riders. You can submit a request in the app.
- 60 percent of car pollution happens in the first few minutes after you start your car.
Drive With Care
California has the nation’s highest number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. If you drive, take extra care around people walking and biking. It’s the human thing to do.
- Drive Safely: Tips on the Go
- Slow down. Drive the speed limit or less. Be alert for people walking, bicycling, skateboarding or in wheelchairs (CVC 21954(b)).
- Every intersection is a crosswalk, even if unmarked. Always stop for people crossing the street (CVC 21950).
- Give people biking at least 3 feet when passing. Do not pass unless safe to do so (CVC 21760).
- When parallel parking, look in the side view mirror and over your shoulder for people biking or other vehicles before opening the door. Only open door when safe to do so (CVC 22517).
- Look twice for people walking or biking before you make a turn. Always come to a complete stop before turning right on red (CVC 21453).
- If another car is stopped at a crosswalk, you should stop too. There may be someone crossing the street that you can’t see (CVC 21950).
- Be alert. Put your cell phone away. Keep your eyes on the road and watch for other roadway users, including people walking and biking (CVC 23123.5).
- Only enter a bike lane to park where permitted, to leave the roadway or to prepare to enter an intersection (CVC 21209).
- Did you know?
- 14 percent of all trips in Southern California are one mile or less. These short trips equate to less than a five-minute bike ride or 20-minute walk.
- 60 percent of car pollution happens in the first few minutes after you start your car.
- You can save an average of $9,225 annually by switching to public transportation.
- If you run errands by bicycling or walking, you can save about 500 gallons of fuel and avoid releasing 10,000 pounds of CO2 into the air each year.
2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop Program Announced
Register today to join SCAG for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SCAG offices in downtown Los Angeles. Online attendance is also available.
The program will gather local leaders, elected officials, and demographic experts to discuss how changing population growth affects regional planning—from accommodating development to improving quality of life and cultivating the economy.
2024 Southern California Demographics Workshop Registration Open, Keynote Announced
Registration is now open for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Navigating the New Growth Reality,” presented by SCAG and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. This 35th annual event will be held on Sept. 24 at SCAG’s main office in Downtown Los Angeles and will also be available to attend online.
Final State Budget Secures $480 Million for REAP 2.0 Program; Restores More Funding
The California State Legislature has approved the Budget Act of 2024, taking a major step forward in addressing the housing crisis by restoring funding to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) program and other funding programs crucial to Southern California’s collective goals.
Regional Early Action Planning Program Update
On May 30, the legislative leadership in the State Assembly and State Senate announced the Joint Legislative Budget Plan. Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts of SCAG and its partners, the Joint Legislative Budget Plan restores funding for several programs cut under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January Budget proposal and May Revision.
General Assembly Elects 2024-25 Board Officers
The General Assembly approved the nominations for the SCAG 2024-25 Board Officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino) will serve as 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon.
Connect SoCal 2024 Approved
The formal adoption of Connect SoCal 202
Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Advocacy Updates
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget announced on Jan. 16 includes $300 million in cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) that will result in approximately $123 million in cuts from SCAG’s $246 million REAP 2.0 program.
Proposed State Budget Would Cut Funding for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program
The proposed budget announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 16 includes $1.2 billion in cuts to funding for housing programs, including $300 million for the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0).
Connect SoCal 2024 Public Comment Update
As part of the public comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, SCAG hosted 15 briefings with elected officials in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. In all, 229 local elected officials, city and county staff and stakeholders participated in the briefings, where SCAG leadership shared details of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 and discussed implementing the plan’s vision for a more resilient and equitable future.
SCAG Adopts Carbon Reduction Program Guidelines
The SCAG Executive/Administration Committee approved guidelines for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) on Dec. 6, 2023. SCAG will be initiating a combined solicitation for project nominations for the CRP along with the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program—all FHWA funding programs—in Jan. 2024. Eligible entities should begin discussing potential nominations with their respective county transportation commission as soon as possible.
Draft Connect SoCal 2024 and Draft Program Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Public Comment
The SCAG Regional Council voted on Nov. 2, 2023, to release both the draft Connect SoCal 2024, the region’s 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment through Jan. 12, 2024. The comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan begins on Nov. 23, while the comment period for the draft PEIR begins on Nov. 9.
Economic Summit Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for SCAG’s 14th annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Mark your calendars and register now to join leaders in business, planning and public policy to assess the state of the region’s economy.
Demographic Workshop Program Preview
Registration is open for the 34th annual Demographic Workshop, “The Seismic Generational Shift,” hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy on Sept. 20. This event will take place at the SCAG Main Office in downtown Los Angeles, with an online broadcast for virtual viewing.
SCAG Awarded $237 Million for REAP 2.0
The Department of Housing and Community Development has officially approved SCAG’s full funding application, awarding SCAG with more than $237 million in REAP 2.0 funds.
Update on the RHNA Reform Process and Schedule
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is crafting recommendations to reform the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which will be provided in a report to the California State Legislature by Dec. 31.
SCAG Leads Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly
SCAG kicked off the 2023 Regional Conference & General Assembly today in Palm Desert with a message from outgoing Regional Council President Jan Harnik and a video review of SCAG’s accomplishments from 2022-23.
SCAG Kicks Off Public Outreach Initiatives for Connect SoCal 2024
Every four years, SCAG updates its visionary plan for the future of the region, Connect SoCal. This process is now underway, and we want to hear from our stakeholders.
Please join us at a public workshop or pop-up event to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. The purpose of these events is to gather input from each community to establish planning priorities for the next 20 to 30 years.