Thumbs up: Cleaner skies, less traffic

Thumbs up for a dozen Sonoma County high schools participating in a two-year pilot program aimed at reducing carbon emissions and increasing healthy physical activity by promoting carpooling and alternative transportation. “Since September 2017, the Safe Routes to School pilot program has seen measurable increases in active and alternative forms of transportation among students at participating high schools,” according to Kelly Elder of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services.

This week's smoky skies will clear up when the winds shift or the Butte County fires are extinguished. But smoggy skies and Spare the Air days are increasingly common in the North Bay, and the best antidote is getting cars off the road. An added benefit, of course, is less traffic.

As part of the pilot project, transportation and health officials are seeking public input about infrastructure improvements that would make cycling and walking more attractive. High schools in Forestville, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and Windsor are participating in the project and will host upcoming community meetings.

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