Guest post featuring King County Metro’s In Motion program:
Have you noticed yellow posters around town featuring upbeat sayings like Walk for your heart, Bart and Drive less, Tess? Since 2004, King County Metro Transit’s In Motion program has promoted sustainable transportation – neighborhood by neighborhood. Cycling is a key solution – as well as walking, using transit, and sharing rides.
When In Motion comes to a community, households receive a mailing describing local travel options and the health, cost-savings and community benefits of driving less. Residents love the resource that comes in the mailing: an eye-catching neighborhood map with concentric circles showing places they can reach within a 5- and 10-minute walk or a 10-minute bike ride. The map also shows local bike and transit routes.
Residents can register online to receive information, including bike maps and tips for using your bike with transit. They also get free Metro and Sound Transit tickets. Then participants can pledge to drive less and earn rewards – including a shopping tote bag, pre-loaded ORCA transit cards, and gift cards from local businesses. Merchants benefit from the increased emphasis on shopping locally. Each program also partners with community organizations that provide translations, business coordination or health information.
In summer and fall 2010, King County communities that will be In Motion are:
- Kent East Hill,
- Juanita (Kirkland),
- Tukwila/SeaTac, near International Blvd, and
- Highline Community College
Since 2004, Metro’s grant-funded In Motion program has reached residents in more than 20 King County neighborhoods. Metro estimates the programs have
- Reduced 1.3 million miles of driving,
- Saved 66,000 gallons of gas, and
- Prevented 674 tons of CO2 emissions.
Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/inmotion or by calling the In Motion hotline at 206-296-3455.
