(PLACE) Project

Google.com

 'PLACE' stands for Policies for Livable and Active Communities and Environments, a project  funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The city and this project commission collaborated with CSULB to get some statistics on where bike and pedestrian improvements are needed.


This year will be the fourth-annual bicyclist and pedestrian count for CSULB. The number of students walking to school or riding their bikes has increased, so improvement would be beneficial for those students who are part of this majority because it will focus on constructing bicycle and safe pedestrian walkway infrastructures.


"Counters" who will be conducting the research for this project will use methods that will attempt to accurately capture the total number of cyclists and pedestrians to get an idea of how many people are on foot or riding bikes. 

Google.com

According to Elissa Thomas, transportation program coordinator at CSULB, ""Long Beach has the goal of being the most bike-friendly city in the nation."


Research was conducted last Thursday and Sunday. Thursday during rush hour times for commuters (7a.m.-9a.m. and 4p.m.-6p.m.) and Sunday from noon-2p.m. when riders and walkers are both out and about during leisure time since there is clearly no classes in sessions on a Sunday afternoon. 


Aside from working with CSULB, the city of Los Angeles uses the PLACE project all over the city, wherever there are high volumes of people and such. 

Inconvenient campus residence buildings

It has been reported that the hills and narrow pathways leading to the campus residence buildings make it difficult for wheelchair users to comfortably reach them. 

According to an article from the daily 49er, some students and faculty who use wheelchairs have decided not live on campus due to the limited wheelchair accessibility; the inconvenient struggle is enough to deter them from campus housing arrangements. 

The CSULB campus was established in 1949 and the most recent campus buildings were constructed about 30 years ago. At that time, the construction met the expected law guidelines and city requirements for disabled individuals.  

TheDaily49er

According to Carol Roberts-Corb, director of housing and residence life at Cal State Long Beach, his goal is to make sure that matters are legally up to code and that everything is being handled ethically to meet all students needs. However, David Sanfilippo, director of disabled student services, said housing may not be completely aware of the situation for disabled students and faculty and there really is a problem there. It does not matter how many students complain, the point is that there is an issue. 

The Possibility of Carpooling

Some CSLB students have decided that carpooling is a better plan to get to and from school. This fall semester we have noticed that parking spots have become more limited and difficult to find. Traffic on campus has also increased and the lots have become much more crowded.

Students such as Devin Ugland, a CSLB junior, sometimes carpool to school. "Carpooling definitely has its benefits. This semester I began carpooling to and from school with a friend of mine and I saved money for a permit that way," said Ugland. "We switch off paying for gas so both of us save some money." 

CSLB offers a "rideshare" program for students who are interested. The school website has more information in detail about what the program entails and how students can benefit from carpooling to school. This is an option for students who are interested and can be acquired through submission of the carpool application.


By having more people using one vehicle, carpooling reduces each person's gas costs and stress of driving. Students may also that being stuck in 405 traffic with someone else not as annoying.

Life is like Riding a Bike...

This fall semester has been a hectic one when it comes to getting to and from school transportation-wise; ironically, CSULB is considered a "commuter school". Traffic congestion has increased and parking lots have become extremely full, making parking stressful and time consuming. In order to get to classes on time, students must incorporate extra time in their commute to school for parking and then walking to class.


However, some students have taken a different path in coming to CSULB by riding bicycles, skate boards, walking to school, etc. Bikes have become a popular choice amongst students. Clearly, this option probably is not available to everyone because some students reside in areas too far from campus to ride a bicycle but for those who do may find it beneficial.

"I like taking my bike because of where I live. I don't have to worry about leaving early to find a spot." Said Greg Lloyd, a senior communications major. "I can lock it up pretty much anywhere and I save on not needing to get a parking pass." 


According to Greg, bicycles at CSULB do not require a parking permit, however students should lock their bikes up in order to keep them safe. Taking a bicycle to school, like walking, may be an option students can look into if they do not have a car accessible or they rather not bother with the busy congestion. The CSULB web site offers more information about bicyclists here.