University of California at San Diego is largely considered a “commuter” school, with 66 percent of the faculty, staff and students reporting a daily single person car ride to campus in 2001. Students groups and campus administration took steps to offer alternatives to all those solo car rides and now that number is down to 49 percent and falling. Initiatives include increasing the number of free shuttles to campus, initiating a Zip rental car system so students don’t feel compelled to bring their own vehicles to school, and offering parking permits for carpool drivers. The student bike group, Pedal Club, charges a $6 registration fee and requires a commitment to bike to school everyday in exchange for an occasional use parking permit and three rides home in times of emergency through the university’s Guaranteed Ride Home program.

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