ATP is a non-profit organization and we work tirelessly to educate and inspire individuals across the globe to volunteer days outside the bubble of their cars and move into an integrated, powerful and positive future for themselves, their community and our planet as a whole. We highlight safe travel on public transit, by bicycle, foot, skateboard and by using a variety of exciting new carbon free technologies that are entering the commuter market.
Funds ATP receives are applied solely to current operating costs and to the innovative projects ATP has in development. Our ATP program is aimed at fulfilling a mandate to give individuals the tools to make travel choices that will improve our world. ATP experts and staff tirelessly work to implement this mission on a pro-bono basis. ATP utilizes our website and social media to inspire our growing community of supporters by sharing scientific research alongside personal stories to illustrate the benefits of car-free travel to individual health, global environment and international economy.
Our activities include fun and informative community events (seminars, talks, etc.,) inspirational and educational video projects, and volunteer opportunities. We have also developed an ATP Schools Package that provides alternative travel inspired lesson plans, presentations and activities for teachers to engage students in grades K – 12. This free package is available for download on our website. We believe that by educating children to appreciate their impact on our environment we can create a culture that will sustain these ideals and create a better future for our planet.
We are in the process of developing a smart phone app to enable our supporters to track their own ATP progress, and to allow us to receive quantitative feedback on the effects of an ATP Lifestyle. Using the data collected via our app and through neighborhood surveys in Los Angeles we hope to learn more about the motivations to embrace or avoid alternative travel in our pilot city. This will help us to further understand how the local transportation infrastructure can better service its customers and increase its value to the population. These statistics, along with a strong focus on safety during travel, are important factors in dialoguing with decision-makers like local businesses and government officials.
Our ultimate goal is to improve the options, accessibility and safety of car-free travel in Los Angeles and across the globe. We are engaged with our local government and transit agencies to enhance the existing infrastructure, and we are reaching out to Angelenos with the aim of galvanizing the community to make a change in how they traverse the city.
Los Angeles is a lifestyle exporter. We believe that by changing the way this city moves, we can create a reverberating effect across the globe and use the knowledge we gain here as a template to be applied to cities worldwide. On a global scale, we truly believe that by traveling car-free for just ONE day, our supporters will gain a greater understanding of all that their own cities have to offer. Around the world, an increase in car-free travel will improve health and air quality and boost local economies. As infrastructure for transit, pedestrian and bike traffic grows, people will be encouraged to invest financial and social capital in the safe and accessible areas surrounding their homes and workplaces.