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

Friday’s Headlines

With all the press about gas prices and the annual inflation tax increase, I'm actually stunned to hear prices are down in this fiscal year.

July 18, 2025

L.A. City Approves Measure HLA Ordinance

Both City Council and Mayor approved the city HLA ordinance, which goes into effect on August 18.

July 17, 2025

Op-ed: It’s Time to Fix Polk Street

Polk Street’s Bike Lane at 10: iteration promised, disappointment delivered.

July 17, 2025

Trump and Duffy Continue Assault on California and the Environment, Officially Cancel Federal Funding for High-Speed Rail

“Canceling these grants without cause isn’t just wrong — it’s illegal,” said CAHSRA CEO Ian Choudri.

July 17, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Reclaiming the Road

Ohio elected official and geographer David Prytherch on his new book, Reclaiming the Road: Mobility Justice Beyond Complete Streets.

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines

It's hardly news that California has to go it alone on modernizing our transportation system.

July 17, 2025
See all posts