Salt Lake City Offers Tools to Help Residents “Drive Less, Drive Smarter”
Campaign includes text alerts, videos and more to aid in reducing winter inversion impacts
SALT LAKE CITY – With winter inversion season in full swing, Salt Lake City is once again offering residents tools and resources to help them stay informed about air quality conditions and their options to “Drive Less, Drive Smarter” when the haze of air pollution descends on the valley.
Through the Care to Clear the Air campaign, residents can register to receive air quality text alerts by texting ‘cleartheair’ to 69302 or visiting the campaign website at www.CareToClearTheAir.org. The alerts are offered to inform residents about upcoming poor air quality days and to encourage them to plan ahead to drive less. Although temperatures are dropping, residents can still choose winter-friendly travel options like riding UTA, van/carpooling and teleworking at home or the office.
“There is no better time for all of us to be considering alternatives to driving than in the midst of a winter inversion,” said Mayor Ralph Becker. “Each of our individual efforts can, and does, make a positive impact on our air quality.”
Additional resources include an informational “Learn to Drive Less” video series featuring helpful videos such as “How to load your bike on the bus” and “How to ride FrontRunner” on the Care to Clear the Air YouTube page at www.youtube.com/cleartheairutah. Other videos include “Resolutions to Clear the Air,” which profile individuals in Salt Lake City and beyond who are making a resolution to take public transit, carpool, telework and bike when the air quality is at its worst.
Cyclist can help in this effort by riding this winter. Under bad air conditions, riders may want to consider an air filter mask.
More information on winter-friendly alternative transportation is available at www.CareToClearTheAir.org.
Air quality updates are available here: http://www.airquality.utah.gov
More information on winter commuting from Cycling Utah:
Winter Commuting Gear:
https://www.cyclingwest.com/tech/gear-picks/gear-for-your-winter-bike-commute/
Winter Clothing: https://www.cyclingwest.com/tech/winter-riding-conditions-requires-winter-clothing/
Light Review: https://www.cyclingwest.com/tech/gear-picks/its-light-season-its-time-for-you-to-get-illuminated/
