Circulator - 09/12/2025 - Circulate San Diego

Congratulations to the 2025 Momentum Awards Nominees

We’re excited to announce this year’s nominees for Circulate San Diego’s Momentum Awards! Winners will be revealed at the Momentum Awards on October 24, 2025.

The Momentum Awards celebrate the people and projects creating excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods. For more than 25 years, Circulate San Diego has been the region’s leading voice for land use and mobility policy.

Become a Sponsor: Sponsorships are still available! Support our work and gain visibility at one of San Diego’s premier events, attended by public officials, industry leaders, and community advocates.

Celebrate Park(ing) Day With Us!

Circulate San Diego will celebrate this year’s Park(ing) Day on Friday, Sepetmber 19th by installing a pop-up parklet at 282 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910 from 3 pm – 6 pm.

This global event transforms curbside parking spaces into temporary public parks, or parklets, inviting communities to reimagine their streets as vibrant, pedestrian-friendly spaces.

We will be offering a space for kids and parents to color and play games so come out and join us!

Marshall College RAs Ride Transit for TransitMonth

Incoming Resident Assistants (RAs) at UC San Diego’s Marshall College got a hands-on introduction to San Diego’s public transit system this month. Their training included a ride on the UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley and the Rapid 215 bus, all the way to the San Diego Zoo.

The trip wasn’t just a fun outing—it was a practical lesson in how students, staff, and visitors can connect to key destinations without a car. By starting with transit, the RAs are better prepared to share these options with their residents throughout the year.

As part of the experience, we also shared information about the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s OnTrack Survey, which invites riders to give feedback on how MTS can keep improving service.

If you haven’t taken it yet, you can add your voice here: https://participate.sdmts.com/mts-ontrack

Celebrating Clean Air Day and Pedestrian Safety Month

Join us September 29th at the Civic Center Plaza (1200 Third Ave, San Diego, CA 92101) to celebrate Clean Air Day and Pedestrian Safety Month! Both clean air day and pedestrian safety month promote sustainable transportation like walking and biking, reducing vehicle emissions that pollute the air we breathe.

Circulate will be at the plaza from 11 AM to 1 PM showcasing a temporary parklet, our remote-controlled Traffic Calming Course, and having safety materials.

Abundance and Poppy Bagel Liberalism

Last week, our CEO and General Counsel Colin Parent wrote about a strategy titled Poppy Bagel Liberalism.

One of the founding texts of the Abundance movement was Ezra Klein’s naming of “Everything Bagel Liberalism,” a phenomenon where many well-intentioned collateral requirements undermine the effectiveness of progressive policies.

Collateral requirements, or bagel toppings, can complicate things and direct some energy from a policy effort toward something off-topic. At worst, collateral requirements can undermine the goal of the policy itself.

Parent argues that in practice, collateral requirements are sometimes necessary to stitch together political coalitions. If properly limited, they can be acceptable concessions to help advance incremental change. While an everything bagel is “bad,” limited collateral bagel toppings can be acceptable. Poppy bagel liberalism, if you will.

CicloSDias Returns to San Diego!

San Diego’s premier open streets event is back!

On Sunday, October 26th from 10 AM – 3 PM, join us in Mid-City to experience a car-free event in the heart of City Heights. Whether you skate, scoot, walk, ride, or roll, this event is for you. Shop local businesses, win prizes, explore City Heights, and bring our vibrant city to life!

Chula Vista E-Bike Safety Community Meetings

E-bikes are everywhere in Chula Vista! E-bike riders, parents, and community members are encouraged to attend the City of Chula Vista’s community meeting to learn important information on the new Electric Micromobility Vehicle Ordinance in Chula Vista.

Community Meeting 1
- Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Montevalle Recreation Center, 840 Duncan Ranch Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91914
Community Meeting 2
- Date & Time: Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Loma Verde Community Center, 1420 Loma Ln., Chula Vista, CA 91911
Virtual Meeting
- Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Via Microsoft Teams