Cleveland State University has launched a new partnership with Zipcar, Inc., to offer a car sharing program on campus. On average, each shared car removes 15 individually owned cars from the road, while miles traveled are reduced almost 50 percent per driver, according to independent research firm, Frost and Sullivan. The new program is aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and lowering CSU’s carbon footprint.

The car-sharing program is CSU’s most recent effort in sustainability leadership, which includes $60 million in energy savings by 2021, sustainable housing and dining programs, sharing best practices with businesses and a wide range of academic and research programs.

The cost-effective and convenient transportation option is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all students, faculty and staff members ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over.  To join the program, visit http://www.zipcar.com/csuohio.  

Cleveland State members pay a $35 annual fee, and rates on all Zipcars start as low as $8 per hour and $66 per day.  Gas, insurance, reserved parking, up to 180 miles of driving per day and roadside assistance are included in the hourly and daily rates. Cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days.

“The environmental and economic benefits of car sharing on campus will not only benefit our students and employees, but the community as a whole,” said Nathan Engstrom, CSU’s campus sustainability coordinator.  “The Zipcar program offers a transportation option that makes it easier to navigate our urban environment, while taking advantage of all the city has to offer.”

The program will begin with two vehicles, which will be located in front of the Music and Communications building at 21st Street and Euclid.

University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Greater Cleveland Provide Tips for Back-to-School Safety

With summer coming to an end and the start of the school year just around the corner, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Greater Cleveland remind parents and drivers to do their part to keep kids safe as they walk to school.  As children head back to school, students and drivers need to be extra careful when on the roads.

“Parents should be proactive and take the time to talk about safety with their kids before they head back to school,” said Mandy Thomas, Safe Kids Greater Cleveland Coordinator at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. “We suggest that parents walk the route to school with students before the start of the year to assess dangers and select a course with the least number of traffic crossings.”

Since parents are the greatest influence in a child’s life, parents need to teach and model safe behaviors for their children to follow. UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Greater Cleveland recommend these following safety behaviors to keep kids safe as they travel to school:

• Always cross the street with an adult until age 10
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks when possible
• Look left, right and left again when crossing
• Always walk, never run, when crossing streets
• Walk on sidewalks or paths
• Walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible if there are no sidewalks
• If riding a bike to school, make sure to always wear a helmet and follow proper bicycle safety rules

Not only do children walking to school need to be observant, but drivers need to remember that school is back in session.

With summer coming to an end and the start of the school year just around the corner, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Greater Cleveland remind parents and drivers to do their part to keep kids safe as they walk to school.  As children head back to school, students and drivers need to be extra careful when on the roads.

 “Parents should be proactive and take the time to talk about safety with their kids before they head back to school,” said Mandy Thomas, Safe Kids Greater Cleveland Coordinator at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. “We suggest that parents walk the route to school with students before the start of the year to assess dangers and select a course with the least number of traffic crossings.”

Since parents are the greatest influence in a child’s life, parents need to teach and model safe behaviors for their children to follow. UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Greater Cleveland recommend these following safety behaviors to keep kids safe as they travel to school:

• Always cross the street with an adult until age 10
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks when possible
• Look left, right and left again when crossing
• Always walk, never run, when crossing streets
• Walk on sidewalks or paths
• Walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible if there are no sidewalks
• If riding a bike to school, make sure to always wear a helmet and follow proper bicycle safety rules

Not only do children walking to school need to be observant, but drivers need to remember that school is back in session.