If you have Commute Diary spins earned so far in 2011 in the Commuter Club, they will expire on 11/30/2011, to make way for the December Cash Wheel.

You must use all your spins before December 1st.

Make sure to log into the Commuter Club and use those spins soon!
Good luck!

Walking regularly has shown to be helpful preventative fighters of killers, such as heart disease and cancer. We understand with the time and weather change; you might be less inclined to be outside. We have some tips for you!

Dressing for cold weather is easier than ever with all the great high tech fabrics currently available. If you are walking in the dark, be sure to wear brighter reflective color so that drivers and cyclists can see you.

Dry feet make a huge difference in walking comfort, especially when walking in the rain. You can waterproof your shoes or boots yourself with a simple treatment.

Don’t forget your umbrella as you run out the door!

Too far to walk in the rain and need to get downtown? Take the Flyer Shuttle! This is a neighborhood friendly shuttle that will take you only downtown. Don’t waste your time sitting in traffic – it’s only $1.50. NorthNatomasTMA.org

Our practically famous Bike Doc is on tour again and will be making an appearance at the Creekside Fair (Kokomo Park - 4801 Kokomo Drive) on Sunday, October 16th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you have missed this fix-it-up show in the past, we encourage you to stop by and give your velocipede a mini-makeover and tune-up. You’ll probably get some quick DIY tips and tricks, too. Please note that, as always, bikes will be repaired on a first-come, first-served basis and getting there early is recommended so that our mechanics have enough time to give your bike the proper diagnosis. Only one bicycle per person, please. Have questions? Call us at 916-419-9955.

Join us October 15th for the grand opening of the I-80 bike and pedestrian bridge which connects North to South Natomas and beyond! The North Natomas TMA will be celebrating with the City in grand opening festivities so come on! Join us on this sunny Saturday morning and be the first to walk or ride across the bridge.

If you bring your bike and we hope you will, think about meeting us at the TMA office (1960 Del Paso Road) and we’ll depart at 8:30 a.m. for the event. After the festivities, our group will continue down to Old Sac for some great grub at Steamers. Don’t forget water, a helmet, $$ for breakfast, and an extra bike tube in case you get a flat. No need to RSVP – just show up!

If you’d like to only attend the grand opening event, meet us at Peregrine Park at 9:30 a.m. For more information, please visit NorthNatomasTMA.org or call 419-9955.

Take your bike out for a joy ride on September 17th around West Sacramento (27 miles). It will be a fun time in the sun enjoying a ride with great company. Roll through downtown West Sacramento, around the commercial corridor, over the Deep Water Channel, and nab a table at Nugget Market for goodies in Southport - hosted by the TMA. On the way back, we’ll take in ski boats, the Riverfront Promenade and cruise by the Crocker Art Museum as we head for home. No need to RSVP – just show up! Meet at the NNTMA office, 1960 Del Paso Road, and the group will depart at 8:30 a.m. Of course, don’t forget to bring your helmet, water, and an extra tube in case you get a flat!

If you’d rather stay in North Natomas, pedal on over to the North Natomas Library (4660 Via Ingoglia located off Del Paso Road). Bike Doc will be making another "house call." So, bring out the old two-wheeler and bike mechanics will give it a facelift on Saturday, September 17th from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bikes will be repaired on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend coming early so the mechanics have enough time to give your bike the proper diagnosis. One bicycle per person, please. For more information, please call the North Natomas TMA, 916-419-9955.

Riding the Flyer Shuttle helps you save your gas money for other fun things – vacations, concerts, sports. It’s easy to use – wave at the shuttle as it nears and jump on! Neighborhood-friendly – an opportunity to meet your North Natomas neighbors – imagine that! Bike-friendly – shuttles are equipped with bike racks so you have the opportunity to ride your bike to lunch, or even cycle home. It provides convenient links with other transportation options – cycling, walking, transit. Best of all, ride FREE on Spare the Air Days – need we say more???

For more information, call the North Natomas TMA, 419-9955 or visit our website NorthNatomasTMA.org.

Have you seen the North Natomas TMA’s new Bike Doc? It will make yet another appearance at the North Natomas Library, 4660 Via Ingoglia located off Del Paso Road, on Saturday, July 16th from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bring your bike for free diagnostics and repair. Bikes will be repaired on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend coming early so the mechanics have enough time to give your bike the proper diagnosis. One bicycle per person, please. For more information, please call the North Natomas TMA…419-9955.

During the weekend of July 8, 2011, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will temporarily close three Gold Line light rail stations to perform construction work for the Green Line to the River District light rail extension.

In order to minimize disruptions for passengers and surrounding businesses in downtown Sacramento, traffic detours will start at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and continue until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 11. This work will require the closure of the 8th & K, Sacramento Valley Station and 7th & I/County Center light rail stations from 7 p.m. on Friday, July 8 through 4 a.m. on Monday, July 11.

As an alternative, shuttle buses will transport Gold Line passengers to and from the Sacramento Valley Station, and will serve bus stops at 7th and K streets, and 8th and K streets.

During construction, Gold Line light rail trains will continue to serve the 8th & Capitol Station. Trains will continue north to temporarily serve the St. Rose of Lima Park (9th & K) Station, return to the St. Rose of Lima Park (7th & K) Station, and then resume regular service.

In addition, street closures will take place from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 8 until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 11 at the intersections of:

- 7th Street and H Street
- 7th Street between G Street and I Street
- H Street between 6th Street and 8th Street

This will be the third of four scheduled weekend closures affecting the 8th & K, Sacramento Valley Station and 7th & I/County Center light rail stations in the coming months.

The Green Line to the River District is the first phase of the Green Line to the Airport light rail extension project. The Green Line to the River District will extend light rail 1.1 miles north to 7th Street and Richards Boulevard at the Township 9 development.

For more information about the Green Line to the River District, call 916-930-1192. To sign up for Green Line to the River District construction alerts, email Jo Noble at jnoble@sacrt.com.

For route, schedule and fare information, call 916-321-BUSS (2877) or visit www.sacrt.com.

Last month the Sacramento region pedaled their way passed a million cumulative miles in the regional May is Bike Month challenge, and North Natomas businesses and residents got down to biking business by contributing approximately 54,000 miles toward the goal. North Natomas participants took part in the TMA’s annual Bike to Work Day breakfast, BikeFest at the Capitol, a 24 mile Ride Around the Airport, and five Smart Cycling clinics. Local area students joined in, too, with Regency Park Elementary School taking first place for the most miles logged by a school. Way to get up and go!

Another milestone for May? North Natomas students increased their cumulative miles logged by 31% for a total of 44,864.

Last but not least, TMA’s Board President, Derek Chernow, was proud to accept a Bicycle Friendly Business award for the Department of Conservation. Many Sacramento businesses were nominated last month for this honor and 35 businesses were selected region-wide. Congratulations, Derek and the whole department!

As the mercury rises here in the Valley, so do the number of chances to help the environment and your wallet by riding the Flyer Shuttle for free. Just be on the lookout for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s “Spare the Air” days to get a lift at no cost during these hot summer months. Sign up to receive alerts through the Spare the Air website: http://www.sparetheair.com/airalert.cfm

We haven’t yet been to Black Bear Restaurant and we want you to come too! Bring your kids (12 and older please) and $5 for breakfast. Meet at the NNTMA office, 1960 Del Paso Road, and the group will depart at 8:30 a.m. No need to RSVP – just show up! Make sure you bring water, a helmet, and an extra bike tube.

We hope you'll join the Natomas Flyers for the Trek happening in Petaluma, September 9-11, for three days of cycling, camping and FUN. The North Natomas TMA will grant anyone who lives or works in North Natomas $100 toward their pledge amount of at least $450. You will also receive a team jersey when you register with the Natomas Flyers!

For more information, call the North Natomas TMA at 419-9955.

"Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." -Albert Einstein

Would you like smart tips for cycling around Natomas? We have a bike clinic just for you! These free clinics offer great information for new riders and helpful reminders for seasoned ones. Information provided includes strategies for biking safely and predictably, rules of the road including lane positioning and other essentials for riding defensively. Two clinics will be offered in May at the North Natomas Library: May 10th at 6 p.m. (open to all); and May 25th at 6 p.m. (for parents and their children).

After learning these life-saving tips and skills, you will be pumped and ready to join us in May as we strive for the goal of a million miles cycled. This regional campaign, also called “Million Mile May,” encourages cycling as an alternative form of transportation to improve air quality and promote health. Adults and children can participate by choosing pedal power over the car for commuting to work, school and errands. Even recreational riding counts! To learn more about the campaign and how logging your miles enters you to win weekly prizes, visit www.MayIsBikeMonth.com for more information or contact North Natomas TMA at (916) 419-9955.

Join us on our neighborhood rides this year! It will be a lot of fun. Always bring water, a helmet, and an extra bike tube. No need to RSVP – just show up! Meet at the NNTMA office, 1960 Del Paso Road, and the group will depart at 8:30 a.m.

We are so excited to start work on these donated bikes. We look forward to giving them back to Natomas students. 17 bikes have already been repaired!

Rain clouds are fading away and the sun is becoming a more constant reminder that bike weather is coming! In celebration, we have renewed our Bicycle and Accessory Rebate Program. Open on February 1st, the rebate is only around for a limited time! All applications must be postmarked by April 30th.

The rebates can be up to 40% of the pre-tax cost of a new bike, with a maximum amount of $250 for adult bikes and $100 for children’s bikes. The accessory rebate is only for adults and is 40% of the pre-tax cost, with a $50 maximum. A committee of board, staff, and community members reviews all applications, and notifies recipients of their awarded rebate. Similarly, to last year, all rebate recipients will be required to attend a cycling clinic before a check will be issued.

Check out the bike section to apply.

After graduating college and securing a desk job, like many of us, Cindy gained 20 pounds. Her brother had suggested that she take up bike riding, and she pursued it. She spent a lengthy month researching the perfect bike and visited many bike shops. She ended up purchasing a white, men’s version tour bike.

Cindy’s roommate, Leanna, decided to venture into this new hobby as well. Before they knew it, they were training for a 500-mile bike ride! They both ended up accomplishing the ride from Ashland to Davis and fell in love with the rolling hills along the coast and the miles of redwood trees. She truly receives the greatest joy from her rides.

Cindy now incorporates riding in her daily life. She rides her bike to the grocery store, library, church, and church events. With the help of the North Natomas TMA’s Bicycle Rebate Program, she purchased a bike pack, which allows her to carry two to three grocery bags, or store books from the North Natomas Library.

She admires the fact that cycling is not only healthy, but it’s also “green”. She likes that she is helping the environment and getting exercise commuting without having to schedule time to go to the gym. Cindy is able to save money on gas, reduce her carbon footprint, and exercise. Need she say more?

“Bike riding allows you to get a great workout and is gentle on your body,” Cindy says. “I guarantee if you train, you will amaze yourself on how far you can go!”

Follow Cindy’s footsteps and start cycling. You don’t necessarily need to accomplish a 500-mile journey, but it’s a great opportunity for you to explore the neighborhood, meet new people, and get in shape!

This is your last chance! Clear out your garage and donate your old bike to the North Natomas TMA before February 15th. Donated bikes will be repaired and tuned up - ready to ride on the road. North Natomas school students will be the recipients of the refurbished bikes, just in time for May is Bike Month.

Our goal with the Bike Donation Drive is to encourage more students to ride their bikes to school, to friends’ houses, and to run errands. In the bigger picture, we hope this will influence their lives, and help create cycling as a lifestyle.

The North Natomas TMA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions on the donor’s federal income tax return. For more information, please contact the North Natomas TMA at 419-9955.

As some of you are aware, we have had difficulty with our current Commuter Club system. In order to get the site working correctly, and to serve you better, we are making some temporary changes. After January 3, 2011 when you log into the Commuter Club it will have the appearance of the old site, from 2009.

If you want to keep a record of your 2010 Commute Diary entries, you will need to print it out. You can do this with the Commute Savings Summary, accessible through the Commute Diary page. Unfortunately, this data will not be transferred to the "new" site!

You will need to enter your email address, and your home zip code, the first time you go to the Commuter Club. If these two pieces of information match our records, your profile will appear. You will be asked to update your profile and select a new password. If a record isn't found using these two pieces of information, you will be asked to create a new account.

We will use the 2009 version of the site until a new site, incorporating new concepts and technology, can be built. This will take a few months.

Thank you for understanding and working with us to create a better site for everyone!

Check out our national coverage in the League of American Bicyclists magazine!

The Flyer shuttle will not be operating on Thursday, November 25 or Friday, November 26, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Should you need to commute downtown Thursday or Friday, the TMA encourages you to share the ride with a neighbor or friend.

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, observed on Thursday, November 25, 2010. RT will operate regular weekday service on Friday, November 26, with the exception of some express bus trips. Trips marked with an “H” will not operate on Friday, November 26.

RT’s administrative offices at 1400 29th Street, Call Center, and Customer Service and Sales Center at 1225 R Street will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

For route, schedule and fare information, call 916-321-BUSS (2877) or visit www.sacrt.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The NNTMA Flyer Shuttle will not be operating on Thursday, November 11th, in honor of Veterans’ Day. Should you need to commute downtown on Thursday, the TMA encourages you to share the ride with a neighbor or friend. The Flyer will resume its regular schedule on Friday.

RT TO OPERATE LIMITED EXPRESS TRIPS ON VETERANS DAY
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will operate limited express bus service on Veterans Day, observed on Thursday, November 11, 2010. Trips marked with an "H" will not operate.

RT's administrative offices at 1400 29th Street, and Customer Service and Sales Center at 1225 R Street will be open during regular business hours. RT's Call Center will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for assistance with route and schedule information.

For route, schedule and fare information, call 916-321-BUSS (2877) or visit www.sacrt.com.

North Natomas Creekside neighborhood residents braved the rain on Sunday, October 24th, to enjoy the 6th Annual Creekside Event. Although the weather brought us all inside for the celebration, the band still played on! Residents listened to live music, watched student cheerleaders perform and visited with local vendors. With face painting, balloon animals and pumpkin crafts, the kids really had fun. Thank you to all those who came out and stopped by to say hello to the TMA. We enjoyed sharing our programs and services with you.

Don't miss out on this fun event. The North Natomas TMA and North Natomas Library are teaming up to bring you Books and Bikes. Come for free bike repair and diagnostics. There is also a great opportunity to learn how to change a tire or learn the smart way to ride on the road in our Smart Cycling Clinic from 11 am - Noon. Come join us at Books and Bikes - October 16th 10 am - 1 pm at the North Natomas Library.

Congratulations Heron School for taking the “cool way to school” on Friday October 8th, for International Walk to School Day and Family Breakfast. What a great turn out – 333 kids walked or biked to school. That’s excellent and we hope students and families will be motivated to continue walking or biking to school throughout the year.

There are many benefits of walking or biking to school. Walking and biking to school empowers your children and teaches self confidence. It can be a highlight of their day. They are able to connect with parents or friends and get ready for a day of learning. Major benefits to your children include improving cardiovascular circulation and improved attention and alertness for class. Children need at least one hour of moderate to vigorous activity a day. Walking or biking to school is a step closer in achieving this goal.

The more children walk, the safer it will become. Just think, if you drive your children to school less, there will be fewer cars on the road, reducing congestion and driver frustration. Driving less will also result in cleaner air that you breathe. Not only is it good for our personal health, but it’s good for our planet. Driving less saves you money! Making fewer trips will save on gas and wear and tear on your car. You’d be surprised how much it all adds up, even if you live a block from the school.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the movement – participate in Footloose Fridays. Better yet, make it a habit – walk or bike to school everyday!

EFFECTIVE October 11, 2010.

After the intersection was completed at Gateway Park Blvd and Terracina Drive, the location became unsafe for our shuttle to stop. To alleviate a safety concern, this stop has been moved further north up to Gateway Park at the Gold's Gym Plaza. There is a convenient pull out just south of Del Paso Road, which makes for an easy and safe place for the shuttle to pull over and pick up passengers. The shift of the stop will not affect the current time schedule. Our new map is available on line:
http://www.northnatomastma.org/shuttle/schedule_east.asp

Effective Friday, October 1, 2010, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will implement a parking fee at three additional light rail station park-and-ride lots. RT will charge a $1 daily parking fee at the following “park-pay-and-ride” lots: Meadowview (690 spaces), Florin (1,076 spaces) and Power Inn (299 spaces).

Matthew Wietrick has been cycling ever since he learned on a BMX bike at 6 years old. By the time he was 10, he wanted more freedom to ride farther from home and go faster. So, he bought his very first 10 speed used bike, a Sear’s Free Spirit from his aunt. As time went on and he grew up, he continued his love for cycling and ended up buying himself a brand new Peugeot 12 speed bike. He really went all out and began training for organized century rides. He says, “The freedom to go long distances under my own power and being alone with my thoughts has kept me hooked ever since.”

He likes that he can use a bike both for pleasure or transportation, and also gives him peace of mind that he’s reducing his carbon footprint. Matthew usually commutes five days a week from North Natomas to Roseville and it’s helping him train for the upcoming California Triple Crown Double Century Series. Cycling allows Matthew to think, relax and avoid wasted time sitting in traffic. It keeps him in top condition, which helps him avoid trips to the doctor. He thinks the best benefit of cycling is getting to eat more and not having to worry about being overweight.

Matthew’s love for cycling has been passed on to his daughter, who now rides with him on their new tandem bicycle. Her dad has properly taught her how to be a smart cyclist and now she is comfortable in heavy vehicle traffic situations when riding her own bicycle. This father-daughter duo rode together in the Emigrant Trails Bike Trek recently that covered over 130 miles in three days.

Matthew believes that safety is very important. It is especially important when commuting on surface streets and sharing the road with cars and trucks. He says, “With practice and patience, the things that cause anxiety - large intersections, freeway crossings, fast traffic in close proximity and no bike lane or shoulder- will lessen and not be issues, as the bike commuting miles pile up.”

Matthew encourages you to give cycling a try! He sees great value in spending a little more money on a nice bike that properly fits so that you are comfortable while riding. Just like your car, you should give your bike personal attention and repairs when it’s needed. He says, “The feeling that you are not contributing to the traffic problem, not using as much imported fossil fuel and increasing your physical and mental health, should be enough to give alternative transportation a serious look.”

On August 19th, the TMA staff was happily overwhelmed with school supply donations from our Flyer shuttle riders. We occasionally ride the shuttle to ask our riders how everything is going and we often bring a breakfast treat. On this occasion, we asked our riders to think about giving back to our area school Districts.

Our shuttle riders kindly answered per our request. As we hopped off the shuttles that morning, our arms were heavy with crayons, notebooks, paper and glue! Bags were overflowing and breaking with all the weight of our riders' generosity!

A huge thank you for all those who participated in generously donating to our local Natomas schools. Thanks to you, many students will be better prepared for their classes and ready to learn!

Come out and Celebrate Natomas with your family and neighbors! This Saturday, September 11th, the North Natomas TMA will be hosting a booth at the festival, from 12 - 5 pm. Come by, say hello and grab a FREE copy of the Natomas Bike Map!

Our Flyer Shuttle is scheduled to take people from the convenient parking available at Natomas High School (3301 Fong Ranch Road), directly to the festival — making loops every twenty minutes. Carpool down to the lot with your friends, and share the ride. Better still — leave your cars at home, and bike on over! There will be bicycle parking available on site.

See you there!

Save the Date – September 4th! Are you staying in town for Labor Day weekend? Looking for something fun to do? We have the perfect morning outing for you! So join us as we explore North and South Natomas on our bikes. This is a great way for you to learn what your neighborhood and community has to offer. It’s a comfortable 24 miles – you’d be surprised how far you can go!

The City of Sacramento has recently started construction on a bike/pedestrian bridge over I-5, scheduled for completion in 2011. Our ride will explore both sides of the bridge site. We will likely ride through Discovery Park and stop in Old Sac for refreshments. We’ll enjoy the American River trail and head east along the Ueda trail, which will take us to Del Paso Road and return to NNTMA office. This ride is designed to familiarize riders with North and South Natomas and more importantly, to get you thinking about new riding possibilities for when the bike bridge is completed.

Please meet us at the North Natomas TMA office, 1960 Del Paso Road, promptly ready to ride at 8:30 AM. Remember to bring your helmet and water. Refreshments will be provided by the TMA. Be prepared to enjoy the sun, great company and a nice bike ride!

The North Natomas Transportation Management Association (NNTMA) is looking for experienced bicycle mechanics to perform diagnosis, repairs and tune ups on community members’ bicycles at scheduled community events throughout the North Natomas area.

Interested in this job? Please see attachment for more information.

Calling all walkers and bikers! Natomas Park Elementary's Walking Wednesdays program is off to a great start for this school year. Principal Johnson invited us back to Natomas Park Elementary because of the success of the program last year.

How does the program work? Walking Wednesdays is designed to reward children who use other modes of transportation to get to school: walking and biking. Frequent walker/biker cards will only be given to those children who participate. Every Wednesday, your child should come to the Walking Wednesday table in the courtyard to get their card hole punched. Every other week, they will receive a new charm to put on their Walking Wednesday key chain.

Now that the student body has increased, so has the participation. Last year when we kicked off the Walking Wednesdays program, 211 students came out. This year, 260 kids participated in the first Walking Wednesday. Way to go! Keep up the good work Coyotes!

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) invites you to participate in the Green Line Community Review, an interactive and collaborative community planning workshop for the future Green Line to the Airport Light Rail Extension.

The Green Line, also referred to as the Downtown Natomas Airport light rail extension, will provide an additional 12.8 miles of light rail service from downtown Sacramento to the River District, the Natomas, communities and the Sacramento International Airport.

Periodically, throughout the year, we like to ride along on the Flyer and to see how things are going. It’s been a great way for us to get to know our riders better and to hear, first hand, how everything is going. We usually bring a small breakfast treat for our riders, a token to thank you for riding with us.

On August 19th, we will be riding the Flyer again. During this difficult economic time, our School Districts are facing hard cuts and limited resources. We will be collecting new school supplies for the children in need who attend our local schools in North Natomas. Don’t worry – we’ll still bring you treats!

If you want to donate school supplies, please bring them when you take the Flyer Shuttle on August 19th. They can be handed to TMA staff or your driver.

Examples of School Supplies:

Binders, Notebooks (spiral and marble), Pen/Pencils, Backpacks, Highlighters, Rulers, Etc.

In advance, thank you for your generosity and we look forward to seeing you on August 19th.

As a child, Beth Mahony grew up riding her bike everywhere: school, gymnastics practice, and to friends’ houses. She said that she would never expect her parents to drive her anywhere within a five mile radius because she could get there by bike.

Beth is now married and a dedicated mom of three kids. She often finds herself in the car most of her days, shuffling kids around and getting grumpy in the meantime. She’s decided to make a change. She says, “I knew how much I loved riding as a kid and I wanted my children to experience the same. So, I started off slowly to teach my kids to be safe and we would take short trips.” She’s now instilled the importance of wearing a properly fit helmet, rules of the road, and taught them how to be a courteous, predictable cyclist.

Now, her family enjoys taking long bike rides around what she believes is a neighborhood treasure, the Natomas Regional Park. She hopes in the future, cycling will be a way of life for her children. The family enjoys the exercise and fresh air, while Beth and her husband model the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle for the children.

Beth’s family often finds peace in the simplicity of walking and biking, which helps them escape from the rat race of traffic and parking lots. Just like Beth’s family, you can experience the invigorating world of cycling, especially in North Natomas where there are great bike paths to explore. Beth’s advice is to, “Just do it!”

North Natomas resident and employee, Rosalind Heard was one of two regional winners of the top May is Bike Month prize. She won a $250 gift certificate to Natomas Bike Shop, and logged 141 miles towards Million Mile May. We asked her what she was going to do with this reward and she said she was going to buy a new road bike!

Rosalind started biking only two years ago and now enjoys riding every week. She thinks it’s a great activity for her whole family, which creates many fun memories. This past April, she participated in a 25 mile bike tour in Napa, California for blind veterans. She thought this was a fun challenging experience and with her investment in a new road bike, she hopes to ride in the 50 mile tour next year. She is also currently looking for other bike tours and fundraisers to expand her biking experiences.

She loves to walk and bike. On Saturdays, Rosalind wakes up at 5:45am in the morning, rides to a friend’s house, walks for an hour and a half, and then rides back home. This has been a great way for her to enjoy the fresh air. She also enjoys riding with her family. On Fridays, her husband and she ride their bike with their son to school. After they drop him off, Rosalind and her husband enjoy a nice breakfast at Bella Bru.

When she can, she likes to commute to work, which is currently four times a month. She believes that Sacramento is bike friendly with many different bike trails and is a great way to get around town and creates many fun memories.

We encourage others to follow in her footsteps in reducing trips and having fun on your bike!

In response to an estimated $25 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2011, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will implement service changes affecting bus, light rail and complementary paratransit service effective Sunday, June 20, 2010.

RT will implement the following service reductions that will affect North Natomas:

Both SATURDAY and SUNDAY service will be discontinued on Routes 13 and 14.

Service AFTER 9:00 PM will be discontinued on Routes 13 and 14.

During the last few years, RT has implemented a number of cost-cutting measures - including service reductions, fare increases, a hiring freeze, freezing employee pay and employee furloughs. By September 2010, RT will have reduced its workforce through layoffs and retirements by approximately 180 employees since the RT Board of Directors approved service changes on March 29, 2010.

Service reductions, combined with approximately $11.1 million in State Transit Assistance funds expected to be restored to RT and revenue generated by the future expansion of the Park-Pay-and-Ride (parking fee) program, will resolve the $25 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2011.

May is Bike Month was a huge success - our best year ever! 8 local North Natomas schools cycled a total of 34,160 miles! Way to Go! Regency Park Elementary School logged 9,468 miles and is the top school in the region. They won the North Natomas TMA perpetual trophy as well as a plaque from the Sacramanto Area Council of Governments (SACOG) for being the region’s top school. Regency Park Elementary’s participation calculated out to be 52% of the student body riding weekly.

Here are the standings for all other participating North Natomas schools:
Witter Ranch Elementary - 4,925 Miles 35% participation weekly
Heron School - 3,971 Miles 30% participation weekly
Natomas Park Elementary School - 3,872 Miles 31% participation weekly
H. Allen Hight Elementary School - 3,476 Miles 31% participation weekly
Westlake Charter School - 3,335 Miles 37% participation weekly
Leading Edge Program - 3,142 Miles 49% participation weekly
Performing and Fine Arts Academy - 1,971 Miles 32% participation weekly

Keep up the good work! Remember that biking instead of driving is a great way to keep our air clean, great for your body and spirit and it’s tons of fun!

May is Bike Month 2010 was a success! Congratulations North Natomas, 51,347 total miles logged by North Natomas residents and employees in the month of May. The top North Natomas resident, Matthew Wietrick, rode 1,430 miles. One of the big Regional prize winners, awarded a $250 Gift Card, is a Natomas resident too! Rosalind Heard, won the Gift Certificate to Natomas Bike Shop and logged 141 miles during Bike Month!

North Natomas businesses working directly with North Natomas TMA logged 2,910 miles. These businesses include Bel-Air, FedEx Office, Natomas Unified School District, Panera Bread, Raley's Distribution Center, Raley's Store, River City Bank, Sacramento Gateway, Staybridge Suites, and Starbucks.

On Bike to Work Day, May 20th, 30 cyclists stopped on their way to work to have breakfast on the TMA. Two students riding on their way to high school stopped too, and grabbed bagels for their morning meal.

Thank you to all of you who participated in reducing trips while having fun on your bike! Remember, cycling isn’t just a May event; you can ride your bike all year long!

Have you seen these before? We bet some North Natomas residents have come across them, but had no idea what they were. They are called Crank Cases, and they are for bike parking! They may look pretty small, but they are indeed effective. The specific way a bicycle gets locked into it makes them very secure, but a bit intimidating to use. In an effort to help make North Natomas more accessible by bike, we felt it was important to bring attention to these odd little boxes and help educate people on how to use them. It’s important, for car trip reduction, to be able to identify and utilize available bicycle parking throughout North Natomas. Take a minute to view the ‘how-to’ video, and next time you're out with your bike – try one out!

Natomas is the first community to experience a new cell phone app called social erranding! The concept is pretty simple; if you've ever asked a roommate or friend if they needed anything from the store, you're halfway there. Social erranding, we call it Errand Share, combines the power of social media and a newly developed cell phone app to enhance convenience and flexibility. This allows you to interact with a group of friends while at the store with one text – helping them out with an errand and helping to reduce congestion and pollution on our roads. Errand Share can also assist parents in a bind – helping secure safe transportation options for kids when a parent is running late. Sound interesting? Sign up to receive more information at www.ErrandShare.com. Errand Share is a program of the North Natomas Transportation Management Association.

Israel Young is truly an amazing community member who is also a huge bicycle advocate. He currently is a Lieutenant in the Coast Guard and works very hard. In order to stay in shape, he needed a great way to exercise. What a better way than biking?

Israel’s friend and neighbor, Rob, commutes to work by bike. Israel watched Rob everyday as he got on his bike leaving his home to go to work. Rob informed Israel of the great opportunity the North Natomas TMA offers for bike rebates. Israel ended up applying for the rebate and ultimately was rewarded a rebate for a brand new bike. He describes the experience as this, “I was expecting a fairly sordid affair with lots of waiting and paperwork, like at the DMV. But alas, easy squeezing lemon pleezy...as a matter of fact, it was so easy I hardly remember the process [and] I remember every trip to the DMV...ugg.”

Israel uses his bike to commute to work about 2-3 times a week which helps him get ready for work and helps him decompress on the way home. He loves the fact that he can cover many miles on a bike and see an array of things including mountains, valleys, rivers, meadows and animals. Cycling has impacted him in many ways. His health has improved, it’s a great stress reliever, and he loves riding with his wife and friends.

Israel’s lasts thoughts, “You get over the embarrassment of wearing the funny padded spandex shorts pretty quick. The next thing you know you will be shopping for jerseys and fancy shorts more than you do your normal clothes...spandex and pads are your friends! Cycling is great, you don’t have to train; just ride and enjoy!”

On the week of March 29th, staff rode along with the Flyer Shuttle. We all enjoyed muffin tops for breakfast and shared information about our upcoming organized bike rides and the new pilot program, Errand Share. It's always fun to spend a morning with our riders! We try to ride along with the Shuttle a few times a year because it’s a valuable way to reach our ridership. It gives us an opportunity to see how the Shuttle is doing and experience first-hand what our riders experience everyday. We hope this gives riders the chance to voice any comments or concerns they might be having. If you have something important you want us know about, you can reach us at any time by phone (916.419.9955) or by email (sarah@nntma.org). If you missed us this time, don’t worry – we’ll be back on board in a few months. Hope to see you then!

Rain or shine first grader Alexander Akin has walked to school every Footloose Friday for the last 14 weeks. Alexander’s mom tells us he is so excited to walk on Fridays that he gets up early and runs half way to school. He gets really excited when it’s raining outside on Footloose Fridays because it’s a great adventure walking to school! His mom, dad and even dog, Pearl, often join him on his walk to school. They have valued their time as a family when they walk to school and have found it much more enjoyable than driving in the car. When he arrives on campus he heads to the quad to get his card punched and picks out a token. He is a great role model for his friends because walking and biking to school builds a greater sense of community and kick starts a super day of learning.

Way to go, Alexander!

The North Natomas TMA just kicked off a wonderful bike safety program called Project Ride Smart at Heron Elementary. In partnership with Heron’s Physical Education teacher, Mrs. Vigil, cycling instructors are teaching this course which is a part of the 4th and 5th graders physical education. Children will learn skills including bike control, safety, awareness, rules of the road, and much more. The kids are very excited to get on their bikes and to learn the rules of the road! This valuable information will benefit these children for many years to come.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority will host public scoping meetings along the Merced-to-Sacramento project section later this month to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions and provide feedback about what project alternatives and environmental issues should be evaluated in the environmental impact report. The Merced-to-Sacramento section of the High-Speed Train system includes the City of Sacramento south to the City of Merced. Proposed route alternatives generally follow the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the Central California Traction or Union Pacific railroads throughout the section. Stations are proposed in Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto and Merced.

An Open-house meeting for the Merced-Sacramento section is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Jan. 27, Sacramento, Amtrak Depot, 301 I Street

Scoping is the first opportunity to become involved in the Merced-to-Sacramento project-level environmental impact report. During the scoping process, the public – as well as city, county, state, and federal agencies – have an opportunity to provide comments on project alternatives and environmental impacts to be evaluated.

Once a month starting last spring, the North Natomas TMA offered organized bike rides, to brag about our wonderful bike paths and amenities our neighborhood has to offer. Many of you enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the area by bike, and through that experience, we fielded continual requests for bike maps. In the New Year, SACOG will produce a bicycle trip planner for regional use, and now the TMA has produced a Natomas Bike Map of existing trails, to get you on your bike with confidence. It also gives great ideas for rides with your family and friends around Natomas and beyond. Bike maps will be available by January’s end and you can come by, or we’ll mail yours… email us at the link below.

Heron School's SAFETY with HELMETS NIGHT – a success!!
9/25/2009

The North Natomas Transportation Management Association, in partnership with the PTSA and Natomas Unified School District, sponsored a Safety with Helmets night at Heron School. Hundreds of families came to the event, and over 300 helmets were given away or replaced! Students were asked to bring their helmets if they had one, and every helmet was inspected for damage and fitted correctly. If a student did not have a helmet, or their helmet needed to be replaced, they were given one for FREE.

The event included a safety presentation for students to learn the importance of wearing a helmet and traffic safety questions presented by our local police department, among other fun activities. Free dinner was also provided.

Here is what a couple of the participants wrote about the event, “Thanks for the helmets! Great information for the kids!” and, “This is the best party ever and thanks for the helmet”.

The success of Safety with Helmets Night compliments the school’s focus on encouraging students to get to and from school by walking, biking, scooting or skating. Each Friday, or Footloose Friday, students are encouraged to join the walking school bus, where parent volunteers walk groups of students to school. Parents can drop off their students starting at a ‘meet-up zone’, or join the group on their journey.

For questions or information on how to get involved, please contact:
Mellissa Meng
School Programs Manager with the North Natomas TMA
916-416-9955
mellissa@nntma.org

Eleven trekkers joined the Natomas Flyers and rode in the 23rd Annual Emigrant Trails Bike Trek recently. We spent two nights "camping" in the beautiful Napa Valley with 260 others who rode 30-60 miles per day for Breathe California's mission of clean air, healthy lungs, and the elimination of lung disease. Thanks to our sponsor, Sacramento Gateway Shopping Center, the group was bedecked with stylin' jerseys that powered the team on to ride a collective 1300 miles over three days.

Our team helped raise over $300,000 to support and expand the local programs for Breathe California. Every year our team size increases as we meet more people during the year who participate in our "neighborhood rides", starting in May. Look here for murmurs of next year’s Trek, when the TMA will be looking for willing adventuresome types who would like to join our group. We'll start riding early in the new year. Join us!

New School Year, More Programs
8/6/2009

The 2009/10 school year is shaping up to be an active year for students and families attending North Natomas schools. The TMA is working with the seven elementary and middle schools in the area to initiate and continue programs encouraging children and their families to walk and bike to school. The reason for the effort is simple; to promote healthy, safe children, improve air quality and reduce vehicle congestion. Walking and biking to school is one of the best ways to reach this goal.

Shuttle Plan in the Works
8/3/2009

Several of our seasoned riders call from time to time to advise us of up-to-the-minute happenings on the shuttle. We appreciate it because often we wouldn't know otherwise. And those who are on standing-room-only loops are such good sports and are using the hand rails and straps without complaint. We know this is a pain and it's not in our plan to having anyone standing. To this end, this winter we will complete a Five Year Transit Plan that will reveal some good info about the future and The Flyer. Stay tuned…