When they say “JUMP”, we ask “how far”?

As in “will the JUMP bikes go far enough for a bike tour of brownfield redevelopment sites”? (read on to get an answer)

At the Local Government Commission’s California Adaptation Forum, the cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento, and CCLR hosted a bike tour of riverfront land recycling projects along the Sacramento River, including:
– The West Sacramento BRIDGE district, where we visited the BARN, an indoor-outdoor, culinary arts center anchored by DRAKE’s Brewing, public art featuring works by Federico Diaz and Jun Kaneko, and homes developed by Bridge Housing, Fulcrum, Jamboree Housing and Regis Homes.
– In Sacramento, we visited the Old Sacramento district, and the I Street Bridge Replacement Project, The Railyards, and the site of the proposed Powerhouse Science Center.
– We also had views across the river to the Washington Historic District and the proposed Indian Heritage Center site, and discussed the emerging plans for the southern Sacramento riverfront sites and the West Sacramento’s Pioneer Bluff from the Mill Street Pier.

Bike tour participants at the BARN

In our first time experience as tour guides for the CAF, we pondered the question of how these climate adaptation projects are related to land recycling?

As a major logistical hub on the west coast since the Gold Rush, Sacramento has been home to longtime industrial operations for the region. The Port of West Sacramento processes agricultural, industrial, heavy equipment and bulk cargo. Above ground bulk tank farms and intensive industry operated on both banks of the Sacramento River. Heavy and passenger rail is centered in this area. The intensive industrial development and operation resulted in brownfields with potential financial and legal liabilities.

These sites are walkable to both downtowns (W Sac and Sac), with the Tower Bridge and Raley Field within home run distance. Subject to flooding and intense winds, all reuse projects need to consider climate impacts as well as soil and groundwater contamination, and surface water contamination from mine tailings originating from the Sierra gold mines.

With this historical frame, it’s important to see these brownfields sites as opportunities to adapt to a changing climate, while increasing resilience. CCLR has been a long-term partner with both cities, and over the past few years, CCLR has provided technical assistance that has brought almost $8 million in assessment, cleanup and infrastructure funding to the area. CCLR also organizes training and mobile workshops, such as this tour.

With the proliferation of alternative transit modes in the last few years, LGC organized the JUMP bikes, which made for an effortless five-mile ride in sunny 75-degree weather. No one broke a sweat, even in their business attire!

So the answer to the question is, the JUMP e-bikes made it through without a hitch. And next time you find yourself involved in a climate adaptation project, jump over to CCLR. No telling how far we’ll go to bat for you.