• For updates about Ecology Action’s bike-related work in Monterey County, contact Ecology Action or Transportation Agency for Monterey County (local contractor).
• March 27, 2019 Measure X Safe Routes to School Update: “TAMC has contracted with Ecology Action to teach bicycle and pedestrian safety in all elementary schools in the Salinas Valley, Marina and Seaside over the next 2-5 years.” http://tamc.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=1617&MeetingID=214
• Regarding Seaside and Marina (e.g., http://www.tamcmonterey.org/state-transportation-planning-grant-to-provide-safer-walking-and-biking-in-seaside-and-marina/), the related agreement between County of Monterey and Transportation Agency for Monterey County states that “Ecology Action shall be reimbursed for its efforts, described above [in http://www.tamcmonterey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SeasideMarinaSRTS_contract_MCHD-Clean.pdf], from available PROJECT funds through funding allocations submitted by TAMC in approved amounts not to exceed $357,953.00.”
• On January 23, 2019, Ecology Action posted a job opening (closes 2/6/19) for “Sustainable Transportation Program Coordinator (Youth Bike/Walk Program).” Position responsibilities include managing volunteers and assisting with volunteer retention. Among requirements, must have personal vehicle available for work purposes, and must be available between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays plus occasional weekends or evenings. Strongly preferred qualifications include Spanish fluency and undergrad college degree. Starting salary listed as $18/hr, depending on experience, plus benefits. Full details: http://ecoact.org/about/careers
• For May 2017, Peggy Zagelow Beard, an employee of Ecology Action, was seeking  volunteers to help with Ecology Action’s Bike Smart bike rodeos in Monterey County; see details under “Kammann School, Salinas” in Kids Bike to School.

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The Transportation Agency for Monterey County contracted (see pg 11) with Bike Smart, a program of Ecology Action of Santa Cruz, to put on bike rodeos for at least two Monterey County schools in Spring 2015. Two schools were served, and in addition, TAMC reported in the 9/2/15 bike-ped meeting agenda packet (see pg 7) that Ecology Action was able to leverage the TAMC funds to secure funding from the Community Foundation for Monterey County and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. Thanks to the CFFMC and MPF funding of Bike Smart, they reached an additional 303 students at 15 Monterey County schools. For 2016 Bike Month, TAMC’s bike-ped committee directed that other options be considered; see page 7.

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Bike Smart is seeking local volunteers to help carry out this work. To apply for a volunteer position, contact Kira Ticus, Program Coordinator, by email – kticus@ecoact.org – or by phone 831-515-1338. Volunteer duties include assisting on the obstacle course as youth ride through on bikes to practice their bike handling and traffic skills.

Elementary schools included within the CFMC and MPF grants for 2015 include Castroville Elementary School, and the following Salinas schools: Bardin; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy; Dr. Oscar F. Loya; Kammann; Lincoln; McKinnon; Monterey Park; and Santa Rita.

As of 3/6/15, Bike Smart is seeking volunteers to help with the following dates. For anyone not biking to the locations, Bike Smart plans to arrange carpools.

Kammann Elementary 

“Fifth graders at my school are going to have bike safety training!”

Ecology Action of Santa Cruz has contracted with Transportation Agency for Monterey County to put on Bike Smart rodeos. Four rodeos are scheduled for 5th graders at Cesar Chavez Elementary School in Greenfield on Monday, December 9 and Tuesday, December 10, 2013.

Volunteers are needed to assist on these or future dates. Scroll down for details from Elise Erheart [former program coordinator].

TAMC is aware of the needs of Greenfield kids and directed that Bike Smart activity include Greenfield. Some background:

Greenfield kids are among those throughout Monterey County who have many unmet needs. Read the 10/17/13 Monterey County Herald School Bytes post by Claudia Melendez Salinas, “A perilous situation in Greenfield,” and see if it speaks to you. The comments on that post may get you started on some ideas for bike-related projects you may want to organize or contribute to.

For starters, you may wish to apply to be a volunteer at December’s Bike Smart rodeos! Thanks for your consideration.

“When we older kids have the opportunity to learn bike safety skills, we’re better able to help teach the younger ones later.”

“Got another dozen Greenfield kids fitted in helmets today, and shared bike law summaries in Spanish and English, safety tips, and other resources. Just wish we could have more bike rodeos for our Greenfield kids too,” this cop says. “There’s so much need!”

Above photos taken in Greenfield by Mari Lynch at the South County Health and Safety Fair. Greenfield Police Department teamed up with Bicycling Monterey to support Greenfield kids in biking.

Bottom two photos provided by Elise Ehrheart of Ecology Action.

11/25/13 update:  Some parents of Cesar Chavez students will be helping Ecology Action at the rodeo, along with a Monterey volunteer. More help is still welcome. Contact Elise (below).

Guest post by Elise Ehrheart

Love riding bikes? Enjoy working with youth?  Live in Monterey County?

Ecology Action is seeking Monterey County volunteers for its Bike Smart! Youth Bicycle Safety Program. Volunteers assist in running bicycle safety skills obstacle courses for youth within Monterey County. Experience the personal rewards of empowering and exciting youth about bicycling and contributing to a healthier community. If you are available during the school day, volunteer to help run bicycle skills obstacle courses – aka “Rodeos” at local schools and community centers. Visit www.bikesmart.org and see full volunteer description at Rodeo Volunteer Job Description 2013.

To sign up to volunteer contact Elise Ehrheart at eehrheart@ecoact.org or 831-515-1324. [As of March 2015, the new coordinator is Kira Ticus; reach her via email  kticus@ecoact.org or phone 831-515-1338.]

Related info on this site

Greenfield: Youth bike helmet prizes, Spanish and English bike safety info at South County Health and Safety Fair

Bike to School in Monterey County… (and scroll down that post for a variety of related links on this site

CA Bicycle Laws and Personal Bike Safety–Tips for Kids and Adults

Monterey County Youth Center Bike Class…Be part of the solution

Children and Teens section

Share-the-Road Tips from Ecology Action