Roll Out & Ride

Public transit

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Our understanding of the issue is that Los Angeles has the potential to be the most walkable, roll-able, and transit-friendly city in the nation. However, this potential remains untapped due to misperceptions of our transit system and the public being unaware of first/last mile micromobility options. The current infrastructure does not fully support the greatest potential for alternative transportation methods. By creating monthly programming that combines use of transit hubs and public education about public transit and micromobility, we can reduce car dependency, increase the use of public transportation, and foster a more inclusive and connected community. With innovative programs like "Roll Out & Ride" we can transform LA's transportation system and improve the quality of life for all residents. The average LA driver spends over 100 hours a year stuck in traffic, and we strive for a brighter future where this time can be spent in active and/or sociable ways.

The grant will support "Roll Out & Ride" a micromobility and transportation initiative dedicated to promoting public transit hubs and walking, biking, scooting, and skating the first/last mile around these hubs. The program's main focus will be to educate and empower community members to utilize alternative forms of transportation, which will increase public transit ridership, reduce loneliness, and substantially reduces car trips (the largest source of carbon emissions in the state). Key activities will include:
Monthly all wheels welcome skate events that support transit use to/from the event location and provide educational materials benefits of public transit and on local safe streets and bike lane routes. We will provide fun and engaging group rides for attendees to learn how to connect to transit hubs in the first/last mile of their commuter trips
Creating a mini-documentary series that uses powerful imagery of people from all walks of life engaging with the program and choose alternative transportation. The series will be a marketing campaigns to shift negative perceptions of public transit
Host monthly challenges that reward top performing participants that log activities that reduce car dependency and utilize public transportation
Hold community conversations at events about micromobility public policy and LA's Mobility Plan 2035 to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility in staying proactive with safe street advocacy

If our Roll Out & Ride program is successful, Los Angeles County will a more connected, vibrant, and inclusive place. With residents spending less time on car trips and more time in community with one, we will see a reduction of car traffic, car emissions, and equally as important-- a reduction in loneliness. With our fun and informative program, we will increase the percentage of residents that view public transit as clean and safe and the number of residents that walk and roll their commutes. We are confident that our program will make a profound impact on increasing LA Metro ridership to add to a growing trend of increased ridership since an all time low during the pandemic. With ridership in 2023 still lagging approximately 30% behind pre-pandemic annual LA Metro ridership, we believe a program like ours will be crucial to prepare our city to utilize public transportation ahead of LA 2028. (Data from LA Metro Saw Highest Ridership Levels Since Pandemic).

This program will be an expansion of our already successful "Thursday Night Skate" initiative. Since 2020, Skate Hunnies has transformed the streets of Los Angeles into a playground for urban exploration and joyful movement. We've hosted 200+ group rides, 500+ events and have collectively walked and rolled 100,000+ miles all over LA County. In October 2022, our community join an online community building platform, Heylo, that tracks membership data and event attendance. In just 20 months, we've grown a community of 900+ active monthly members in Los Angeles. As a result of our efforts, there are daily community organized meetups coordinated by our members to walk, skate, play, move, and our members have reported a profound lifestyle change with increase in movement and life satisfaction.
We will define success by tracking metrics like attendance, transit usage, and micromobility miles. Our desired outcome is to host 900 attendees and influence transit opinions of hundreds of thousands.

Beyond the Board is a key partner in our "Roll Out & Ride" initiative, diversifying our offerings by incorporating skateboarding and longboarding into our events. Their expertise and commitment to inclusivity ensure that our program welcomes participants of all skill levels and abilities, promoting a sense of community and belonging. Beyond the Board has hosted four nationwide tours across 25+ states and 60+ cities, engaging thousands of participants and creating over 300 community activations. Their extensive experience and national reach bring valuable insights and best practices to our initiative, enhancing our program and increasing our indirect impact to include impressions on their audience all over the globe.