The City of Eugene is launching a pilot program this summer in the Harlow neighborhood to promote alternative transportation. The program is modeled after the successful one in Portland. It’s designed to reduce driving and increase biking, walking and the use of public transportation. Lindsay Selser with the City of Eugene says Harlow residents will be the first to receive information packets with customized maps.

Lindsay Selser “Then the exciting thing that we get to do with the Smart Trips program through these grants is offer classes, activities, workshops in those target areas for folks on how they can commute smarter . How you know if they want to bike, how do they get to the grocery store, how do they get their kids to school.”

A master transportation program will be offered similar to the master recycling or gardening ones. Selser says participants will become block captains, or local transportation experts. In 2011, the program will expand to Eugene’s Trainsong, Whiteaker, Jefferson and Westside neighborhoods with federal money.

Copyright 2010 KLCC.