In our efforts to live a more healthy lifestyle, we have promoted wellness by encouraging the incorporation of a 'dedicated bicycle car' on each metrolink train. One of our major motivations came from the results contained in a report from the American Heart Association (AHA)--Public Policy Agenda 2010-2014. The onset of obesity and diabetes can lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) which can be life threatening. Therefore, any changes which lead to a healthier lifestyle and a "greener environment" are encouraged by the AHA. The recommendations by the AHA line up perfectly with the values of the Kaiserwellnesscenter--which is why we chose to reach out and ask for help to the AHA in advocating increased bicycle infrastructure for bicycle commuters. Below is the original letter that was sent on from us to the AHA with responses (in red) from the AHA.
These answers are super encouraging (exciting) since a positive relationship (in the form of help/support/mentoring) with the AHA could help us achieve a better infrastructure in the city of Los Angeles for bicycle commuters which will ultimately result in a more active lifestyle of the residents---Healthy Living!!!! We are looking forward to working with the AHA to achieve our goals. We hope that these results are encouraging to other bicycle and commuters interested in living a higher quality of life (more healthy). Enjoy!
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Hello John,
Thank you for joining the You’re the Cure grassroots network. I am excited to work with you regarding obesity prevention and improving quality of Life for Southern California residents. I am very impressed with the level of commitment and dedication you and your wife have demonstrated to building an active commuter culture of health. The research, powerpoint presentation, and advocacy agenda in contacting Metrolink and the City of Los Angeles is commendable. I think it would be helpful to establish a phone call or coffee to further discuss different approaches and opportunities for improved active transportation. Please see an answers to your questions highlighted below.
Please feel free to call me at (213) 291-xxxx.
Thank you,
VJR
Violet J. Ruiz
Director
Government Relations
From: Kaiser, John M [mailto:john.kaiser@csun.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 2:22 PM
To: Erica Phung; advocacyca@heart.or; Violet Ruiz; Callie Hanft; Brittni Chicuata
Subject: Re: Welcome to the You're the Cure Community!
Hello AHA Grassroots Advocacy,
Below is a letter that I sent requesting advice to Clarissa Garcia in response to her previous e-mail. I was wondering if the State (California) AHA advocacy could help answer the few questions that my wife and I have stated below in our pursuit of reducing obesity through increasing public transportation infrastructure (specifically with respect to bicycle commuters--blended commuters). We would greatly appreciate any thoughts from the AHA on this matter. Thank you in advance for any help that your organization may have to offer. Have a great remainder of the day.
Sincerely,
J. Mike Kaiser
From: Kaiser, John M
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2014 2:04 PM
To: Clarissa Garcia, American Heart Association
Subject: Re: Welcome to the You're the Cure Community!
Hello Clarissa,
I am very happy to join the efforts (any to reduce CVD) with the American Heart Association. My mother is a nurse who works for Loma Linda University Medical Center Heart Center. She is primarily devoted to reducing stroke and heart attacks (including obesity and reducing diabetes occurrences too). My wife and I have over the last year and a half -- have started commuting to work by a blended system--by bicycle and light rail (Metrolink Train). We have been trying to advocate a healthier lifestyle through our website--www.kaiserwellnesscenter.com. Part of those efforts has been tracking our progress at (blogging, maps, recipes, etc.) reducing our weight and attaining better health--which we have seen. Out of the excitement that we have seen in our own improvement of health, we have managed to motivate others (slow process though).
My question to you is how to overcome an obstacle that we have gone up against in our advocacy efforts. A month ago, my mother sent me two wonderful documents released by the AHA which I have attached in the e-mail. We are trying to reduce obesity and diabetes which lead to cardiovascular disease (I do not need to tell you this) by motivating others to start incorporating a blended commute into their lives as well. We have been successful (a few other professionals have started riding the train and bicycle) with our efforts. One major problem is the bicycle infrastructure on our local light rail train -- Metrolink Train. There is no consistent or dedicated bicycle car on each train. Periodically, a train will come with two dedicated bicycle cars and then one with none??? Over the last few months I have started to gather some pictures and organize them into a "power point presentation" which I have also attached to illustrate the point--there needs to be a dedicated bicycle car on each train to motivate current passengers and future passengers the assurance of space allocated on each train to accompany the new (and healthy) lifestyle.
Last week, I sent a letter to Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles City Council Members with all of the information that I have included as attachments (minus the response from Metrolink that I just received today). I was wondering the following questions from your organization:
1) Do these changes which increase the quality of health (by reducing obesity and diabetes) qualify the city or Metrolink associations for funds to incorporate a dedicated bicycle car on each train? I believe Metrolink (Southern California Regional Rail Authority) receives funding from the different County transportation agencies it serves (i.e. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority). This funding is a mix if fare revenue, prop sales taxes, federal grants, state grants, interest/income bonds, and other local revenue. The American Heart Association is a research based non-profit, producing the document you referenced, American Heart Association Guide for Improving Cardiovascular Health in the Community Level, 2013 Update. The American Heart Association recommends increasing physical activity by changing the built enjoinment. However, since the AHA does not fund such programs (it is mentioned in the Guide, that lack of overall funding for such changes are limited and “slow down the process of change”), it is determined by the community and this case Metrolink how and why funds are allocated. For example, a ballot approved measure/ prop funding, grant money, or simply Metrolink and its providers would need to stipulate measurements of improving the quality of health to fund dedicated bicycle cars on trains, would be necessary (this is very specific example).
2) How do I promote the change more effectively by utilizing the wonderful data that the American Heart Association has released in reports? You have started off on the right foot by personally investing in your message, recruiting friends and family to accomplish similar healthy lifestyle goals, conducting research, and creating a clear and concise presentation for the general public. I think it is important to form a larger coalition or join other community groups with similar goals, for example, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition would be a good start. Creating a larger coalition will help you leverage your conversation to achieve a bike car on each train. Once you have a committed coalition, you can really start engaging decision makers, elected officials, organizations like the American Heart Association, and other communities members to collaborate for improved healthy lifestyle changes. Although you have emailed Metrolink, I would like to help you secure an in person meeting with appropriate Metrolink staff. Taking these steps will help you and your local community achieve significant results.
I recently (today--Monday) received a response from the Metrolink Train association that I have attached also. What can we (my wife Kayla and I) to get a change implemented? Further, in the Metrolink's response, the indication of a demand request is present. The problem as stated in my letter to politicians is that the argument for demand is circular in nature. Over the past year, people with whom we have spoken with said they would ride the train if there was a dedicated car. Currently, the allotted spaces fill and then no further room is available (as shown in our power point presentation -- attached).
I hope that the American Heart Association can help us pursue this change. Maybe by helping us with an endorsement ( a letter?) which we can pass on with the current statistics to our local Congressman Adam Schiff? Maybe another form of help that we are unaware of? I appreciate any help available. Thank you in advance for suggestions. Have a great evening.
Sincerely,
J. Mike Kaiser