RVA Earth Day 2019 Climate Conversation

This Earth Day, Richmond went global to talk about climate change. The City of Richmond Sustainability Office hosted a “Climate Conversation” with the VCU Office of Sustainability and Shared Studios, a Brooklyn-based art, design, and technology company, at the Monroe Park Portal on April 22. This event promoted conversations about climate change, the environment, and sustainability efforts in Richmond and around the world. The Portal, a gold-painted shipping container equipped with video and audio technology, allowed participants in Richmond to connect live, face-to-face with people in an identical Portal in Mexico City.

Although Sustainability Office staff created conversation prompts, the ideas and curiosity of participants led to more of an exchange of ideas and experiences. Questions on local weather patterns and impacts from climate change led to conversations about what participants care about most in their own lives. Participants found common ground in their observations of more intense weather events and heat waves, but were surprised to hear that access to information about climate change is not the same everywhere. Richmonders learned about how health risks like air pollution, ozone, and high temperatures can become dangerous no matter where you live.

As participants came and went, they learned about RVAgreen 2050, the City’s integrated adaptation, mitigation and equity-centered climate action planning initiative to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 and help the community adapt to Richmond’s climate impacts (extreme heat, extreme precipitation, and sea level rise). Participants also shared their ideas about how Richmond can reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. VCU Office of Sustainability representatives also provided information about sustainability efforts in the campus community.

Pedelec Bicycles to Make Pedaling Easier for RVA Bike Share Riders

On Thursday, March 21, the city is added 20 new battery operated pedelec bikes to its RVA Bike Share fleet. These electric-assist e-bikes are designed to make it easier to climb hills and endure long rides. This will enable those who were previously unable to use the current 8-speed bikes to also use the bike share service.
The pedelec bikes will be docked at current RVA Bike Share stations, but are identified by a yellow lightning bolt. Riders will be able to unlock the bikes using their RVA Bike Share key fob or from the RVA Bikes application. The motor automatically turns on once the rider starts pedaling. The bikes can reach speeds up to a safe 12 mph. The motor stops when the rider stops pedaling or uses the brake.
RVA Bike Share was implemented in summer 2017. It currently has 220 bikes at 16 docking stations. In February the city began electrifying docking stations and converting the existing 8-speed bikes to make them pedal-assist. Eventually the entire fleet will have pedal assist capability.
To learn more about RVA Bike Share and the app, visit www.RVABikes.com.