Evaluate Surrey streets to make them more walkable and bicycle friendly

The event is on rain or shine! Though, when it's a torrential rainfall, we do postpone!

Meeting spot

Gateway skytrain station (street level). The north east corner of University Drive and 108 Ave. A google map HERE (https://maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Gateway+Station&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=gateway+skytrain+address&cid=17125659410678583946&ei=bBUOU569PI7loATetoHABg&ved=0CJgBEPwSMAs)

Getting yourself there

Transit. To find out the best route from where you are, please go to:http://www.translink.bc.ca (http://www.translink.bc.ca/) type in the location you are starting from, the destination and the date and time you will begin the trip

Carpool. If you need a ride log into your meetup account, RSVP and leave a message at the bottom of this event page describing where you need a ride from. We're a friendly bunch and often Lower Mainland Green Team volunteers are willing to provide a ride! Don't forget to chip in for gas if you get a ride ($5 for every hour of drive is about right)

Cycle. For a bicycle map click HERE (http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/bikeways/maps.htm)

Activities

Meet at 9.45am (please don't be late, if you are - you are unlikely to find anyone as we will be leaving from the meeting spot)

Sign-in

Instruction will be given

Volunteers will be split into groups of 3-4

Maps and audit forms will be distributed to all volunteers

What to bring

Your rain jacket and umbrella in case it is raining. Our events in the rain have still been great fun!

If it's sunny, bring a hat and sunscreen

Ideal footwear: comfortable walking shoes. No heels

Wear bright clothing to increase your visibility

A pen to record your observations (we'll have some, but it will be good to have extra just in case)

If you have a clipboard or writing surface of some sort please bring it

Water (to bring with you to the work site) - Please don't forget this

What will be provided for you

Street audit forms

Some pens and clipboards (though if you have either bring them)

Maps of the audit area and routes

Snacks and drinks for the break

Instruction - Better Environmentally Sounds Transportation will give you the run down about the work we will be doing (you don't need to have experience to participate). There will be a safety talk

A volunteer letter emailed to you after the event to confirm your hours if you need it

Better Environmentally Sound Transportation's (BEST) Living Street program

BEST has created the Living Streets project, adapted from a similar initiative in Scotland, to educate and train community members in street audits.

Street Audits support the development of safe streets and neighbourhoods, enhance the feasibility of walking and cycling, and are effective tools for people to identify issues related to walking and cycling infrastructure. The audits provide great insight into how Surrey streets could be improved.

By making areas more walkable and bicycle friendly cities are able to encourage people to use more sustainable means of transportation, and therefore minimize green house gas emissions – in BC 44.6% of household green house gas emissions come from cars and trucks!

Volunteers will be trained in and undertake street audits in the Guildford area, and will provide the results to the host as input to design workshops attended by Surrey municipal planners and officials. The workshops will help individuals and agencies further their goals of healthier environments, more inclusive communities, and intercultural communications and development. If you think you may be interested in attending these events in March you are more than welcome. Overall, the audits volunteers complete will identify a variety of solutions that local residents view as ways to encourage sustainable transportation.

HOST

Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (http://best.bc.ca/)(Living Streets), with financial support from the Province of British Columbia, RBC Foundation, and the City of Surrey.