By Chris Barker, Waste & Recycling Division Community Engagement Manager
When it comes to garbage carts in bike lanes, how you feel can be determined literally by where you’re coming from (or going to!).
If you bike commute or even just regularly go out for a quick spin before work in the heat of the summer, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered garbage carts right smack in the marked bike lane.
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Transportation is an important and necessary component of our day-to-day, but in the face of worsening air quality and the sustained effects of climate change, it’s a component we have to be increasingly conscious of. The question is no longer just about where we’re headed or when we get there, but how we choose to do so.
Clean Air SLC is an initiative that aims to distribute equipment and information to help Salt Lake City Residents improve air quality in their communities and inside their homes. We ran a small pilot E-bike Incentive Program in July of 2024 and we were able to fund 277 applications, equally dispersed across the seven City Council districts. Why did we focus on e-bikes? E-bike incentive programs work to help people switch away from gas-powered vehicles for their short-distance commute, such as running errands, meeting up with friends at a local coffee shop or bar, or even commuting to work if that’s an option.
Small but mighty, those short-distance commutes add up! A study conducted by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics found that over half of vehicle trips in the United States were three miles or less, while 60 percent of all vehicle trips were less than six miles. This represents a lot of potential to mitigate emissions plus health benefits and savings on car ownership and fuel costs.
Continue readingBy SLCgreen Intern Kyle Anderson
Note: Salt Lake City ran a pilot e-bike incentive program in 2024. This program had one-time funding and will not be continued in 2025.
Think about your last short-distance commute. Maybe you were running errands. Maybe you were on your way to work. Or maybe you were meeting up with friends at your favorite bar or coffee shop.
Salt Lakers have all kinds of reasons for getting around and enjoying this city we call home. Transportation is an important and necessary component of our day-to-day, but in the face of worsening air quality and the sustained effects of climate change, it’s a component we have to be increasingly conscious of. The question is no longer just about where we’re headed or when we get there, but how we choose to do so. And thanks to a new e-bike incentive program launched by SLCgreen, the possibilities for more sustainable transportation in Salt Lake City are expanding.
Continue readingDid you know that Salt Lake City is working on a new transportation master plan? Master plans are a great way to engage with your city and help make it a place YOU want to live in!
The last transportation master plan for Salt Lake City was published in 1996, over twenty years ago. In 2021, the Salt Lake City Transportation Division began Connect SLC, an extensive process to collect data, engage the public, and eventually create a new plan that better meets the needs of the city’s current residents.
Currently, the city is in Phase 2 of their civic engagement process and you can weigh in!
Phase 1 consisted of collecting values: air quality and the environment, reliability, safety, affordability, and equitable access to opportunity. With these values in mind, Phase 2 consists of expressing possible policy recommendations that the city could take and getting even more feedback from residents and user-groups!
What does this have to do with sustainability?
Everything! How we commute around the city has a major impact on the air we breathe, as well as other physical health concerns. Increasing access to safe routes for alternative transit increases the likelihood of people using it. This means fewer cars on the road, leading to lower emissions, and better air quality.
Additionally, improving accessibility to public transit makes choosing public transit more convenient, also increasing the likelihood of usage! This decreases the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles which in turn decreases emissions per person.
The Salt Lake City Transportation Department has created an interactive website featuring policy recommendations for each value and an opportunities to provide feedback and comments.
Take this easy opportunity to provide feedback for your city!
by SLCgreen intern Atticus Olmedo
From Bear Lake and Antelope Island to Timpanogos and Goblin Valley, Utah is a hotbed for hiking trails and natural excursions. But for many, the Jordan River Parkway doesn’t immediately come to mind as a prime recreational destination. This may be a result of the Parkway’s location, locked between the suburban enclaves and urban centers. But don’t be fooled. People, organizations, and governments have rallied behind the Jordan River Parkway’s potential with a vision for sustainability.
And this month is all about celebrating the Jordan River with a month full of activities. Let’s dig in!
Thousands of years ago when Lake Bonneville was receding, the river wound its way through ancient sediments left by the prehistoric lake. Eventually, the river helped establish pond and wetlands. Today, the Jordan River flows approximately 50 miles from Utah Lake north towards the Great Salt Lake’s wetlands. The river is primarily fed from the creeks that travel through the Salt Lake Valley.
The ecology of the river has evolved considerably. Because the river collects water from streams throughout the valley, it also collects pollution and detritus. However, thanks to restoration efforts, the parkway and river have become more hospitable for natural and recreational use.
The river is lined with deciduous oaks, aspens, willows, and cottonwood trees. Invertebrates provide an important source of food for other river species, particularly native carp and trout. Prior to urbanization, coyotes, big-horned sheep, wolves, and mule deer made the river their home. Now, raccoons, red foxes, jackrabbits, and common muskrat can be spotted in the habitat. Birds including magpies, sparrow hawks, and even pheasants are also common.
For the fitness and nature enthusiasts alike, The Jordan River Parkway Trail offers a low-cost fitness and natural excursion option to locals who may not have the means to access far away wildlife areas.
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We’re excited to let you know the winners of the SLC Corp 2018 Clear the Air Challenge. You may recall that this year we organized an internal bracket between SLC Corp departments to complement the statewide competition. The internal winner of the most brackets would ultimately win the “Mayor’s Cup” for their efforts.
Photos of residents enjoying SLC Open Streets 2015
by Ardyn Ford, SLCgreen intern
Imagine riding your bike down a wide city street under clear, blue skies. There are no cars in sight. You meander across lanes of traffic, surrounded by fellow bikers, skaters, and joggers. Food trucks and beer gardens line the streets. Echoes of laughter are carried by the warm breeze. Sound too good to be true? It isn’t!
On May 5th, Salt Lake City is bringing back a favorite community event called Open Streets. From 10 AM to 4 PM a section of downtown will be closed to all non-essential vehicular traffic. This means that streets will be open for anything from walking to rollerblading. People are encouraged to bring family and friends for a day of movement and fun community activities including yoga classes, art exhibits, and live music.
The route was designed for easy access to public transit and GREENbike stations in an effort to give people the opportunity to experience alternative, sustainable transportation in a safe environment. Continue reading
It’s February which means it’s time for the Ninth Annual Clear the Air Challenge! If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to get signed up and start identifying how you can drive less and drive smarter to save pollution. Continue reading
Does SLC’s commitment to sustainability improve your quality of life? Does it make Salt Lake City a better place to live and work? We think so! Check out our latest blog with SLC Economic Development on how and why businesses should seek out and take advantage of our city’s “sustainability assets.”
#e2business #SustainableBusiness #SustainableCity #LiveWorkPlay
Do you hate bad air days? We do too. Luckily, there are more and more options for cleaner transportation in Salt Lake City from Ride With Hive to the Live Electric EV & E-Bike discount program, a deal worth looking into if you have ever considered purchasing an electric vehicle.