Include Great Park in the Irvine Connect Shuttle Route to limit the need for e-bikes!

We propose that the Irvine Connect Shuttle's current route be expanded to include Great Park stops near major landmarks in our neighborhood, such as Portola High School, Cadence Park, Beacon Park, and Parasol Park. Intertwining this service into the fabric of our community would be an invaluable lifeline to not just senior citizens, but also our middle and high school students. It would also minimize the overreliance on risky transport methods like e-bikes for our children and teenagers.

This petition speaks from a place of deep personal experience and concerns for community wellness and safety. In a previous community, we lived with the comfort and security of knowing that our elderly loved ones could navigate the neighborhood independently and safely, thanks to a neighborhood shuttle system. This shuttle service offered a vital life-line, especially to my elderly father who used it to stay mobile and maintain his social connections.

However, after relocation to the Great Park neighborhood in Irvine, we noticed a lack of similar transport facilities. This lack has not only limited the mobility of our seniors but also forced our children and teenagers into alternative, and potentially hazardous, transport methods such as e-bikes. As a mother, while I respect my teenager's need for independent mobility, I am fearful for their safety on these e-bikes. This fear was recently realized when my son's best friend fell victim to a car accident while on his e-bike.

In adopting this measure, we could all breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing that our loved ones can navigate our community with a greater sense of safety and independence. Won't you join us in making this positive change for our community? Please sign this petition today.