Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Advocacy

Portraits of San Diego’s Sustainable Commuters

The Wood family commutes 3 miles by bike and bus. Photo by Angelica Rocha, Circulate San Diego

Note: GJEL Accident Attorneys regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog California. Unless noted in the story, GJEL Accident Attorneys is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

Angelica Rocha, a planner with Circulate San Diego, had been taking a series of photographs of San Diego County residents that highlight the widely varying ways people commute in the region. The beautiful black-and-white portrait series is part of the Move Free SD campaign, a program to encourage people to use more sustainable transportation in San Diego.

The portraits showcase a wide variety of people who get around the region by foot, bus, bike, scooter, trolley, ferry - and in one case by electric unicycle. The 52 people featured live in eight different cities within San Diego County, and their commutes range from over 26 miles to zero--that last probably more common now than it was when these portraits were taken.

Denice W commutes 10.8 miles by bike. Photo by Angelica Rocha, Circulate San Diego
Denice W. commutes 10.8 miles by bike. Photo by Angelica Rocha, Circulate San Diego
Denice W commutes 10.8 miles by bike. Photo by Angelica Rocha, Circulate San Diego

According to the photographer,

The portraits are meant to create a conversation about sustainable commuting options in San Diego and showcase Circulate San Diego's creative engagement strategies. By photographing and interviewing diverse residents from across the region, we hope to inspire others to consider walking, biking, public transit, carpool, or electric unicycle for their daily commutes. In addition to the portraits, we collected data on how, when, and why residents started commuting sustainably, challenges to their commute, and what investments they feel would support a regional shift in sustainable transportation.

Just because so many spring bike events have been canceled -  no Bike to Work Day, no CicLAvias or CicloSDias, no May Is Bike Month parties -  doesn't mean it's time to stop encouraging people to adopt and try more sustainable travel options. Circulate SD has made these portraits available for viewing as a digital exhibit, which they recommend taking a few minutes to enjoy - and be inspired by.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Want Vancouver Skytrain in San Diego? Support People Mover to the Airport.

Vancouver is not alone in running people movers on urban rail networks. Copenhagen built its entire 26.9-mile metro using the same technology used on a Saudi Arabian university’s APM.

November 20, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines

Mess with Texas.

November 19, 2025

L.A. City Fiscal Year 24-25 Bikeway Mileage Buoyed by Completed Paths

This year L.A. City added 35.6 lane-miles of new or improved bike facilities - about half of that was new bike/walk paths.

November 18, 2025

Q&A with Former Supervisor Joel Engardio

Streetsblog catches up with District 4's recalled supervisor to reflect on Sunset Dunes, other car-free spaces, and the future of San Francisco.

November 18, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

Trump Coming for Transit Funding...Like Any Transit Funding...

November 18, 2025
See all posts