History of the Clean Air Program

What is the Clean Air Program?

The Clean Air Program is a public/private cooperative effort to educate Valley residents and visitors about the causes of and solutions to air pollution. The Program elements include advertising (radio, billboards, print, television, transit sides), public relations, general public outreach, and activities and events for 1,200 employers in the Maricopa County Trip Reduction Program reaching over 600,000 employees and driving age students.

The Clean Air Program began in 1987 with the goal to reduce air pollution in the Valley through increased public awareness and participation in alternative modes of transportation. What started as a few events and minimal advertising has grown tremendously in the 15 years of the campaign. The campaign now consists of a variety of elements and activities. Year-round events include Rideshare Week, the Clean Air Program Luncheon, winter pollution season awareness campaign, Valley Bike Week, and the summer ozone season awareness campaign.

Clean Air Program Events

Rideshare Week

Rideshare Week is held annually in the fall to encourage Valley residents to try using an alternative mode of transportation to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Activities during the week include employer challenges, rider appreciation days, and prize drawings for anyone using an alternative mode of transportation during the designated week.

Clean Air Program Awards Luncheon

The annual Clean Air Program Awards Luncheon honors the local business community and Valley leaders for going the extra mile to help clean the air.

Valley Bike Week

Valley Bike Week, which educates residents about bicycle safety along with the health and air quality benefits of bicycling vs. driving, is held in the spring. Valley Bike Week began as one event and has grown to several including a Bike to Work Day, Bicycle Swap Meet, and The Great Bike Chase, a family fun ride from a local park to Chase Field for an Arizona Diamondbacks game. The Great Bike Chase (formerly Bike to BOB) has grown from 120 riders in 1998 to over 1,000 riders in 2006. The purpose of this event is to illustrate the many benefits of cycling for short trips and recreation. This is our most popular event.

Clean Air Program Marketing

In addition to the year round events hosted by the Clean Air Program, each activity is supplemented by an advertising and public relations campaign. A media buy, which can include television, radio, outdoor billboards, cinema advertising, transit advertising, and print, runs from October through February and starts again to supplement Valley Bike Week in April.

Public relations events in the past included distributing information to gas station customers emphasizing the importance of refueling after dark during the summer months to staging bicycle vs. vanpool races during Bike Week. We send promotional Clean Air Program kits four times per year to Valley employers in the Trip Reduction Program. Kits include posters with air quality messages, magnets or post-it-notes, newsletters, air quality fact sheets etc.

The Clean Air Program is aimed at reducing air pollution in the Valley. According to the annual Transportation Demand Management study, since the inception of the campaign 18 years ago, we have maintained a high favorability and awareness level averaging at 85%. In addition, 50% of Valley residents that have heard the Clean Air Program message indicated taking action to reduce air pollution (i.e. reduce driving, carpool). Much of the campaign can be attributed for meeting federal air quality standards for ozone and carbon monoxide. With continued growth in the Valley, the campaign is vital to educate people about the solutions to air pollution.