Originally published by UC Davis Health

(SACRAMENTO) The Green Commuter Program is excited to announce that it has earned two grants that will help grow the program and continue building the sustainable transportation community.

The first grant was awarded by Healthy UC Davis to offer "Adult Bike Riding" classes. The classes will teach inexperienced adults how to ride a bike, empowering them with a new life skill! These classes will be available to staff and students at UC Davis Health.

“We know about 6% of the adult population doesn’t know how to ride a bike, and this is heavily weighted on persons of color and women,” said Sarah Janus, UC Davis Health sustainability officer. “Teaching this class will give these adult students an ability that can change the way they move around their community.”

The grant has funded the Green Commuter Program to hold three sessions of classes over the next year (Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Fall 2024). Applications will begin in late August for the first session in October.

The second grant was awarded from Be Smart About Safety. This funding will supply approximately 400 bicycle helmets, which will be distributed to employees at bike helmet fitting events held at the Health Campus.

While the Green Commuter Program has held multiple fitting events in the past, where employees could purchase a helmet at a lower cost, these will be the first opportunities to offer the helmets to employees for free. All helmets will be fitted at events, and employees are provided with information about the importance of properly fitted helmets and safety.

Keep an eye out for updates on the Adult Bike Riding classes and helmet fitting events or sign up for the Sustainable Transportation Newsletter.