>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRANSIT TRENDS RIGHT NOW IS MICRO MOBILITY.

EVERYTHING FROM E-BIKES TO SCOOTERS, WE CHECK IN ON HOW SAN DIEGO'S CAR CENTRIC SEATS AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THESE DRIVERS.

>>> ONE FAMILY WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS BORN PREMATURELY SHARES THE STORY.

SEE HOW ADVANCES IN LOCAL HEALTHCARE ALLOWED HER TO THRIVE.

>>> AND AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR RENTERS SOUTH OF THE BORDER IS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.

WE HAVE THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE RISING COST OF LIVING.

>>> WE START WITH THE MIGRANT SITUATION GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION.

WHILE SOME HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT ORGANIZED SOME ASPECTS ARE NOT.

VIDEO JOURNALIST SHOWS US THE SCENE IN A REMOTE AREA 70 MILES EAST OF SAN DIEGO.

>> THE BUZZING YOU HERE IS FROM SUNRISE POWERLINK'S MASSIVE OVERHEAD POWER LINES.

THAT LANGUAGE IS KURDISH FROM A MAN WHO IS CHATTING WITH HIS FRIEND IN A CAMP HE MADE OUT OF THAT DESERT BRUSH.

VICTORIA VASQUEZ IS FROM THAT AGE GROUP BORDER KINDNESS.

SHE SAYS THERE'S BEEN A CITIGROUP OF 150 MIGRANTS BE DRIVEN BY CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AND LEFT TO WAIT FOR THEIR ASYLUM CLAIMS TO BE PROCESSED.

>> THERE'S NOTHING TO HELP YOU.

>> BORDER KINDNESS HAS BEEN FEEDING AND CLOTHING MIGRANTS IN THE DESERT SINCE SATURDAY.

>> WE HAVE BROUGHT OVER 1000 SANDWICHES, WATER BOTTLES.

>> THERE ARE CHINESE, KURDISH, CUBAN, COLOMBIAN AND RUSSIAN MIGRANTS AWAITING.

ANDREA IS HOPING TO GO TO NEW YORK TO MEET UP WITH HIS WIFE.

HE SAYS HE WANTS WORK.

THIS GROUP OF SIX FRIENDS FROM CUBA ALL HOPE TO MAKE IT TO THE MIDWEST.

AT AROUND MIDDAY CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION DRIVE A VAN OUT ON THE WASHBOARD DIRT ROAD TO PICK UP ABOUT A DOZEN OF THE MIGRANTS.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A DAY AND SIX MEN WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE DIRT SINCE SUNDAY.

>> A LOT ARE STRANDED FOR DAYS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE SINCE SUNDAY.

IT IS A DIRE SITUATION.

>> VASQUEZ SAYS THEY ARE DROPPED OFF WITH NOTHING AND LEFT TO CREATE THEIR OWN SHELTER.

THE DAYTIME TEMPERATURES HERE REACH AROUND 90 DEGREES AND DIPS TO THE LOW 50s OVERNIGHT.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE BEING DUMPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT AND BEING STRANDED AND REALLY NO OTHER HELP BESIDES REGULAR PEOPLE.

>> CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION DID NOT TO AN INTERVIEW IN TIME FOR THE CONTEST.

>>> IT WAS A BUSY WEEK FOR NEWS ON THE BORDER AND IT GOES BEYOND THE MIGRANT SITUATION.

FROM SLOWER TRAVEL TIMES FOR COMMUTERS TO RISING RENT IN TIJUANA IT'S ALL A PART OF OUR DISCUSSION ON THIS WEEK'S KPBS ROUNDTABLE.

YOU CAN STREAM IT AS A PODCAST ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS AND AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> THOSE IMPACTED BY CROSS- BORDER POLLUTION AREN'T LETTING UP AND THE DEMANDS FOR ACTION.

ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIK ANDERSON TELLS US HOW THEY ARE CALLING FOR CALIFORNIA'S GOVERNOR TO DO MORE.

>> THE BOARD IS SENDING A LATER TO THE STOCK POLITICIAN TO ASK HIM TO TAKE THE ISSUE SERIOUSLY.

>> WE CALL THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY BECAUSE OUR FUTURE IS IN HIS HANDS.

>> THE LETTER SAYS THE COMMUNITIES ARE GRAPPLING WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE REALMS OF LOCAL CONTROL.

THE LETTER CONTINUES, THIS DIRE SITUATION DEMANDS A COORDINATED STATE AND FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

SOUTH BAY OFFICIALS SAY IT'S A SITUATION THAT SHOULD CONCERN EVERYONE.

>> WE ARE STANDING NEXT TO THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY IN THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE NOT ACTING LIKE IT.

>> THERE IS A FEDERAL PLAN TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER BUT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS ONLY APPROVED ABOUT A THIRD OF THE ESTIMATED $900 MILLION NEEDED TO REPAIR AND BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

SOUTH BAY OFFICIALS SAY THE DECADES LONG CONTAMINATION HAS NEVER BEEN WORSE AND THAT IS WHY IMMEDIATE POLITICAL ACTION IS NEEDED.

>> THE PRESIDENT WILL TAKE IT A LOT MORE SERIOUSLY.

YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE SAYING THIS IS A CRISIS, THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, MY CONSTITUENTS ARE HURTING.

YOU NEED TO SPEED UP THIS PROCESS AND NOT WAIT FIVE, SEVEN YEARS WHICH IS THE APPROXIMATE TIMELINE WE ARE BEING GIVEN IF EVERYTHING GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN AND FUNDING IS SECURED.

>> WHEN THAT MONEY WILL COME AND WHEN THOSE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE REMAINS AN OPEN QUESTION FOR A COMMUNITY THAT HAS STRUGGLED FOR DECADES WITH SEWAGE CONTAMINATION.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN NORTH COUNTY IS NEARING THE FINISH LINE.

IT WILL BRING MUCH NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE TO SAN MARCUS, BUT NORTH COUNTY REPORTER SAYS IT HAS BEEN A FRUSTRATING WAIT FOR SOME RESIDENTS AND WORKERS.

>> THE FRONT YARD USED TO BE LANDSCAPED WITH ROWS OF TREES AND A MANICURED LAWN.

NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THIS.

HE HAS LIVED AT THIS HOME ON DISCOVERY STREET FOR MORE THAN 11 YEARS.

CREWS HAVE BEEN DIGGING TRENCHES BY HIS HOUSE TO INSTALL A RETAINING WALL.

>> WHEN THEY DID ALL OF THAT THEY DRAINED -- THEY HAD EXPOSED THE FOUNDATION WALL OF MY GARAGE.

>> THE SAN MARCOS CREEK PROJECT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS.

FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES NEAR THE CREEK FATIGUE IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

IT'S AFFECTED HER BUSINESS.

HER FAMILY OWNS SUBMARINE SANDWICH SHOP AT THE OTHER END BY SAN MARCOS BOULEVARD.

>> IT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR CUSTOMERS FROM COMING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEHIND US.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE ONLY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND IT'S TAKING LONGER.

>> THE PROJECT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLETED THIS PAST SPRING.

CONSTRUCTION IS STILL GOING ON.

THE LAST LEG OF THE PROJECT IS GOING TO AFFECT BUSINESSES AT VIA MARCO PLAZA AND GALLERY OF AIRCREWS THE MOST.

THIS STRETCH WAS OPEN FOR CUSTOMERS TO ACCESS THESE BUSINESSES.

TODAY THE CITY CLOSED IT SO CREWS COULD FINISH CONSTRUCTION ON THE VERA CRUZ BRIDGE.

THE PROJECT ENGINEER FOR THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS UNDERSTANDS RESIDENCE FRUSTRATION.

HE SAYS PART OF THE DELAYS STEM FROM THE RAIN WE HAD THIS WINTER.

>> WE ARE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION.

THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS THAT WILL BE GETTING DONE ALONG WITH DISCOVERY.

OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THERE WILL BE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION AND HABITAT RESTORATION.

WE ARE IN THE FINAL THROES OF IT.

>> THAT'S NOT FAST ENOUGH.

HE'S SELLING HIS HOME AND IS HAVING TROUBLE FINDING BUYERS BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION.

>> EVERYBODY ELSE HAS BEEN MORE OR LESS FIXED.

I'M HERE.

>> CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO LAST UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

DESPITE THE DELAYS, THE PROJECT IS STILL ON BUDGET AND $114 MILLION.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> RENT IN TIJUANA IS RISING TWICE AS FAST AS IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS BORDER REPORTER LOOKS INTO WHAT IS DRIVING THIS TREND.

>> IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO RENT IN TIJUANA, HE IS YOUR MAN.

HE'S A REALTOR WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE.

MOST CLIENTS COME FROM THE U.S. ALL LOOKING FOR CHEAP RENT IN MEXICO.

HERE HE IS WALKING US THROUGH A BRAND-NEW HOUSE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SANTA FE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TIJUANA.

>> THIS IS A GATED COMMUNITY.

THIS IS A TWO BEDROOM LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM.

ONE AND A HALF BATH AND ONE PARKING AREA.

>> OFFER $850 A MONTH.

THIS PLACE IS 45 MINUTES FROM THE BORDER, BUT DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE AMENITIES.

>> TO STORES, THEY HAVE PARKS, THEY HAVE FOR BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, SOCCER.

THEY ALSO HAVE A COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> MEDIAN RENT IS ABOUT $3300 A MONTH RIGHT NOW ACCORDING TO ZILLOW.

THAT IS PUSHING SOME PEOPLE TO MIGRATE SOUTH TO TIJUANA.

THIS IS A RESEARCHER WHO STUDIES WHY.

SHE SAYS, MOST OF THE PEOPLE MOVED TO TIJUANA ARE COMMUTERS WHO STILL WORK IN SAN DIEGO.

THIS INFLUX OF CROSS-BORDER COMMUTERS IS PUSHING TIJUANA RENTS HIGHER AND HIGHER.

RENT IN TIJUANA INCREASED BY 63% BETWEEN 2016 AND 2022.

THAT'S MORE THAN DOUBLE OF THE 30% THAT SAN DIEGO SAW DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD.

THE TIJUANA REALTOR GETS CALLS FROM SAN DIEGO'S LOOKING TO MOVE TO MEXICO ALMOST EVERY DAY.

MOST ARE LOOKING TO PAY ABOUT 500 OR 600 A MONTH FOR A HOUSE IS CLOSE TO THE BORDER.

>> THERE IS NOT A LOT OF OPTIONS.

>> AT LEAST NOT FOR THAT PRICE AND LOCATION.

>> IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GET SOMETHING CLOSER TO DOWNTOWN, SOMETHING CLOSER TO THE RIO AREA , SOMETHING CLOSER TO THE BORDER THEY ARE GOING TO GO FROM 800 AND UP.

>> I LOOK BACK NOW.

>> MICHAEL HODGE MOVED TO TIJUANA FROM SAN DIEGO THREE YEARS AGO.

GROWING UP IN THE MIDWEST HE NEVER EXPECTED TO LIVE IN MEXICO.

>> I HAD BEEN TO TIJUANA MAYBE TWICE EVER.

>> NOW PEOPLE ASK HIM FOR ADVICE.

ESPECIALLY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.

>> THE COMMON QUESTION I GET IS DO YOU FEEL SAFE THERE?

IS IT OKAY?

YOU KNOW, I TELL THEM IT IS LIKE ANY OTHER CITY.

IF YOU ACT LIKE A FOOL AND MAKE A SPECTACLE OF YOURSELF AND BE DISRESPECTFUL -- IT'S NOT THAT HARD.

>> BEFORE MOVING TO TIJUANA, HE LIVED IN A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT AND SPLIT THE $2500 MONTH RENT WITH A ROOMMATE.

WHEN HE MOVED TO TIJUANA WITH COWORKERS HIS SHARE OF THE RENT WAS ONLY $300 A MONTH.

YES, THERE ARE OBVIOUS SAVINGS IN TIJUANA BUT ALSO SIGNIFICANT DRAWBACKS.

>> MOVING TO TIJUANA WOULD DEFINITELY BE AN OPTION BUT I DON'T WANT THEM TO THINK THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE PERFECT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO SOLVE ALL YOUR PROBLEMS.

>> THE MAIN PROBLEM IS -- >> TRAFFIC IS RIDICULOUS.

IT'S RIDICULOUS.

>> ROBERT MARTIN IS IS A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER IN SAN DIEGO.

HIS DAY BEGINS BEFORE THE CRACK OF DAWN.

>> USUALLY WAKE UP BETWEEN 3:00 AND 330 IN ORDER TO GET READY.

BY 4:00 I'M OUT OF MY HOUSE.

HOPEFULLY I CAN MAKE IT HERE ON TIME.

>> MARTINEZ SAYS THE TRAFFIC IN TIJUANA GETS WORSE EVERY YEAR.

EXPERTS AGREE.

SHE SAYS NEW CONSTRUCTION AND LACK OF INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS CAUSING EVEN MORE TRAFFIC.

FOR MARTINEZ, TIJUANA'S HORRIBLE COMMUTES ARE THE REAL PRICE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN MEXICO.

STILL, HE HAS NO PLANS OF MOVING BACK TO SAN DIEGO.

>> I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL.

WHEN I SAY LADIES FOR MY VACATION.

>> MARTINEZ AND HODGE BOTH HAVE A SPECIAL PASS THAT GRANT THEM ACCESS TO A FAST VEHICLE BORDER LANE.

WITHOUT IT, BOTH SAID LIVING IN TIJUANA WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.

KPBS NEEDS.

>>> THAT WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES ONLINE.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHERS.

METRO REPORTER EXPLAINS HOW IT'S ABOUT TO GET EASIER TO PAY MTS BUS AND TROLLEY FARES.

THOMAS FUDGE REPORTS ON THE SAFETY OF ELECTRIC BIKES AND SCOOTERS.

WE WILL HAVE THAT FOR YOU A LITTLE BIT LATER.

AN ANTI-SOMATIC TIRADE AT A RECENT SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS THE PERILS OF ANONYMOUS PUBLIC COMMENT.

>>> AMID THE JEWISH HIGH HOLIDAYS YOUNG ARE REMEMBERING THOSE WHO WERE KILLED IN THE HOLOCAUST WITH A FOCUS ON THE 1 1/2 MILLION KIDS WHOSE LIVES WERE TAKEN.

THIS SHOWS US HOW THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT IS USED TO TEACH THIS DIFFICULT HISTORY.

>> GO.

FIVE STEPS BACK.

>> SOMEWHERE IN THE CHAOS OF THIS MOMENT ALL 1180 STUDENTS OF THE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL WORK TOGETHER ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD THIS MORNING TO FORM HUMAN BUTTERFLIES.

>> FIVE STEPS FORWARD.

>> STEPS WERE SUPPOSED TO FIGURE WINGS.

>> YOU HAVE TO TREAT IT LIKE A REAL BUTTERFLY AND BE DELICATE WITH IT.

>> THE COLLABORATION STARTED IN THE CLASSROOMS.

NO MATH OR SCIENCE LESSONS TODAY.

INSTEAD, STUDENTS FROM PRE-K TO 12 GRADE CAME TOGETHER TO PAINT CERAMIC BUTTERFLIES IN AN ART PROJECT TO REMEMBER THE MILLIONS OF KILLED IN THE HOLOCAUST.

>> SOMEWHERE AS YOUNG AS SIX MONTHS OLD.

REALLY HEATHER TO FUTURES TAKEN FROM THEM.

IT'S ABOUT HONORING THEM AND PUTTING THEIR LIFE IN COLOR AND BEING ABLE TO HOLD SOMETHING THAT REALLY REIMAGINES THESE KIDS.

>> HE LIVED IN POLAND.

>> EIGHTH-GRADER JIA GOOPED TO HIS WORKING WITH THIRD-GRADER.

EVERY STROKE OF THE PAINT BRUSH IS INTENTIONAL AND DEDICATED TO ASHER ROSENBAUM AND HIS SHORT LIFE.

THERE IS NO RECORD OF HIS AGE OR THE DAY HE DIED IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP.

>> I LOVE THE COLOR RED AND BLUE MEANS LIKE IF SOMEBODY IS SAD YOU CAN LIFT THEM UP AND MAKE THEM HAPPY.

>> IT WAS CUT SHORT BEFORE -- IN A WAY, THAT OUT.

>> STUDENTS ALSO SANG IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE LOST IN HISTORY'S DARKEST TIME.

ON THE CAMPUS THAT HAS A PERMANENT ARTISTIC FLY GARDEN THAT OFTEN ATTRACTS THE REAL THING.

BETTE MIDLER IS A 95-YEAR-OLD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR WHO CAME TO SHARE HIS STORY WITH STUDENTS.

THE STORY OF THE FAMILY HE LEFT AND HIDING AT THEIR HOME IN POLAND WHILE HE WAS SENT TO SIX DIFFERENT CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

>> I THOUGHT MY FAMILY WAS LEFT IN THE HIDING PLACE.

MAYBE THEY ARE STILL ALIVE AND GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO DO ANYTHING IN MY POWER TO MOVE JUST TO STAY ALIVE.

>> WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY?

>> THE REST DIED.

>> HE LIVED AND SO DOES THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN ANYTIME A BUTTERFLY SPREADS ITS WINGS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS MONTH, RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS HONORING NEO-NATIVE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OR NICU FAMILIES AND THE STAFF WHO SUPPORT THEM.

MATT HOFFMAN SPOKE TO NEW FAMILIES WHOSE PREGNANCY DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED.

>> OCEANSIDE RESIDENCE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR MORE THAN 100 DAYS.

SPENDING TIME IN THE HOSPITAL WITH HER DAUGHTER SIENNA WHO WAS BORN EARLY AT 24 WEEKS.

>> I SAID I'M ON THE ROAD I'M DRIVING TO THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW.

MY WATER BROKE.

IT'S RAINING.

GET TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE I'M GOING TO HAVE THIS BABY.

HIS REACTION WAS, NO YOU'RE NOT HAVING IT RIGHT NOW.

IT'S TOO SOON.

I SAID LET ME REPEAT MYSELF.

GET TO THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW.

>> WHILE THE COUPLE CAN LAUGH NOW THEY SAID THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN A ROLLER COASTER.

SIENNA WAS DELIVERED AT ONE POUND NINE OUNCES AND SINCE THEN, MOM, DAD OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN BY HER SIDE EVERY DAY.

>> IT HAS BEEN A FEAR, LOVE, APPREHENSION, EXCITEMENT.

>> THE JINGLES DIDN'T KNOW SIENNA WAS COMING EARLY.

A FULL-TERM PREGNANCY IS ABOUT 40 WEEKS.

BEING BORN AT 24 WEEKS MEANS THE FAMILY HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OR NICU AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

SIENNA HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE PROCEDURES AND HAD A BREATHING TUBE AT ONE POINT.

THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT , INCLUDING THE BILLS.

THEY ESTIMATE THE COST OF SIENNA'S CARE TO BEER NEAR $1 MILLION BUT THANKS TO INSURANCE THEY ARE ONLY PAINT A FRACTION OF THAT.

IT'S THE UPS AND DOWNS THE COUPLES THAT ARE THE HARDEST FOR NICU PARENTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S PUBLICATIONS.

>> BECAUSE SHE WASN'T DOING THAT WELL I WASN'T DOING WELL.

I WAS EMOTIONAL, I WAS SAD.

I COULD SEE HER STRUGGLE TO BREATHE AND SHE WAS JUST FIGHTING AND FIGHTING AND FIGHTING AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT BUT WATCH HER FIGHT.

>> DOCTORS TOLD THEM TO TRUST THE PROCESS, BUT IS FIRST-TIME PARENTS THAT WAS NOT EASY INITIALLY.

SPEAKING >> TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE MEDICATION THE PROCEDURES, WISE THEIR DIFFERENT NURSE, WHO WAS THE DOCTOR, WHAT TIME DO THEY COME?

>> SIENNA HAS BEEN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND GETTING WAY QUICKER THAN EXPECTED.

>> THEY ARE HAVING SO MUCH FUN.

JUST AS MUCH FUN AS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE WITH YOU WHEN YOU COME HOME.

>> THEY SAY BEING NICU PARENTS ISN'T EASY BUT THEY DO HAVE SOME ADVICE.

>> HANG IN THERE.

HAVE HOPE.

BRING POSITIVE ENERGY TO THE ROOM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

IF YOU'RE HAVING A BAD DAY AND YOU DON'T HAVE THAT ENERGY JUST COMPOSE YOURSELF AND GET THAT POSITIVE ENERGY BECAUSE YOUR BABY CAN FEEL IT.

THEY TELL YOU THAT, BUT IT'S REAL.

LET ME TELL YOU, OUR BABY IS A MIRACLE AND IT'S REAL.

>> BECAUSE SHE WAS BORN SO EARLY, SIENNA MAY HAVE SOME DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS BUT HER FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

SOME MORE GOOD NEWS, AFTER TAPING THIS STORY SIENNA WAS RELEASED FROM THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AND IS NOW AT HOME WITH HER FAMILY.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GAS PRICES ARE PUSHING SIX DOLLARS AGAIN IN SAN DIEGO AND A LOT ARE LOOKING TO ELECTRIC BIKES AND SKATEBOARDS TO HANDLE THE SHORTER TRIPS.

LIKE ANYTHING THERE IS A LEARNING CURVE AND THAT INCLUDES SAFETY.

THOMAS FUDGE HAS THE STORY.

>> CHLOE SHOWS ME HER ELECTRIC BIKE IN A DOWNTOWN PARK.

SHE POINTS OUT THE VIDEO SCREEN THAT DISPLAYS HER BATTERY CHARGE.

>> THIS IS A FULL BATTERY.

YOU CAN SEE HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING AND THIS IS THE PETAL.

>> THE TOOLS TO CONTROL THE BIKES MOTOR.

>> YOU CAN PUT IT UP USING THE UP ARROW OR DOWN.

>> ELECTRIC BIKES CAN BE PEDDLED LIKE A REGULAR BIKE BUT ALSO RUN JUST ON THEIR MOTOR OR HELP YOU PEDAL GIVING A MOTORIZED ABUSE.

SOME HAVE CALLED ELECTRIC BIKES A GAME CHANGER.

LOWER, DIRECTOR OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BY COALITION, DOES NOT DISAGREE.

>> IS GETTING MORE CYCLISTS ON THE ROAD AND BECAUSE WE WANT TO EXPAND CYCLING AS A MAINSTREAM.

THE MORE PEOPLE THE MORE MAINSTREAM IT IS.

>> THE GOAL OF GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR CARS AND ONTO A BIKE IS A STEP TOWARD ADDRESSING THE THREAT OF GLOBAL WARMING.

TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNTS FOR HALF OF SAN DIEGO'S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BUT THE MOVE TO ELECTRIFIED BIKES AND SCOOTERS HAS RAISED CONCERNS AMONG PEOPLE IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE.

DR.

BASIL IS CHIEF OF TRAUMA AT SCRIPPS MERCY HOSPITAL AND HE'S SEEN A LOT OF ACCIDENTS LINKED TO MOTORIZED SCOOTERS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE ON THE STREET FOR RENT.

>> YOU CAN PICK ONE UP ANYTIME.

IF YOU'RE INTOXICATED, IF YOU HAVE NO GOOD EXPERIENCE ON A SCOOTER NO ONE IS WEARING A HELMET.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

>> UC SAN DIEGO DID A STUDY ON JUST ONE -- 100 EMISSIONS IN 2017 AND 2018.

THEY FOUND A DRAMATIC MONTHLY INCREASE IN ADMISSIONS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF INJURIES.

SOMETHING HE CAN VOUCH FOR.

>> WE SEE A FAIR AMOUNT OF HEAD INJURIES.

THEY CAN BE MILD, MODERATE OR SEVERE.

THE MAJORITY ARE ON THE MILD SIDE BUT WE HAVE HAD SEVERE HEAD INJURY AND DEATH FROM THESE VEHICLES.

>> WRIST AND RIB FRACTURES ARE ALSO COMMON.

WHAT ABOUT E-BIKES?

HE SEES A LOT OF KIDS WRITING THEM UNSAFELY AND HE THINKS THEIR SPEED IS NOT PROPERLY REGULATED.

>> THE SUBJECT IS PERSONAL.

YEARS AGO I WAS RIDING MY BIKE TO WORK IN SAN DIEGO WHEN I WAS HIT BY A CAR.

I SUFFERED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND I DID END UP IN THE TRAUMA WARD.

IT TOOK ME THREE MONTHS BEFORE I WAS WELL ENOUGH TO GO BACK TO WORK.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE AND HOW DANGEROUS IT CAN BE TO RIDE AN UNPROTECTED VEHICLE ON A ROAD FULL OF CARS.

>> WHEN YOU DO HAVE THAT INTERPLAY WHERE YOU HAVE CYCLISTS RIGHT NEXT TO CARS YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY PUTTING A TANK NEXT TO STICKS.

SOMEONE AND THEIR HELMET.

IT'S KIND OF A FORMIDABLE TASK TO GO BIKING ON A REGULAR STREET.

>> ELIZABETH IS ALSO AN EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN WHO SEES THE WORST RESULTS OF THAT MISMATCHED VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.

SHE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF SAN DIEGO'S CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT HEALTH RISKS, SHE SAYS THOSE THAT COME FROM CLIMATE CHANGE ARE SEVERE AND NUMEROUS INCLUDING ASTHMA, HEATSTROKE AND PREMATURE BIRTH.

THE UCSD STUDY ON THESE DESCRIBES THEM AS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS, BUT SHE ARGUES THEIR LEVEL OF SAFETY DEPENDS ON THE USER.

>> IT'S THE SAME AS ANYTHING ELSE.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY AND IF THEY ARE TREATED AS A TOY THEN CERTAINLY THEY ARE NOT A SAFE MODALITY.

>> RACKS OF SCOOTERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR RENT.

YOU SEE THEM ZIPPING PAST PEDESTRIANS ON SIDEWALKS AND BIKE PATHS.

CESAR JIMENEZ ABOUT HIS OWN SCOOTER THAT HE DRIVES TO SCHOOL AFTER HE PARKS HIS CAR OFF CAMPUS.

I ASKED IF HE FEELS UNSAFE ON THE ROADS.

>> KNOW.

TO BE HONEST, NOT REALLY.

I NEVER FEEL UNSAFE.

THERE'S CERTAIN AREAS OF SAN DIEGO THAT I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THOSE SPACES FOR BIKES OR SCOOTERS, BUT I THINK WE CAN GET BETTER ON IT.

>> THEY ARE PERFECT.

I HOP ON THE SCOOTER AND SOMETIMES IT HELPS ME OUT WHEN I'M IN A DILEMMA.

>> SOME STUDENTS SAID THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE ON A ROAD WITH A SCOOTER, BUT WITH NEW ELECTRIC CARS GOING FOR MORE THAN $60,000 A POP SHE SAYS FINDING AN AFFORDABLE GLOBAL FRIENDLY WAY TO TRAVEL MAY DEPEND ON THOSE KINDS OF VEHICLES.

>> I THINK WE FACE A CHOICE WHERE WE EITHER HAVE TO MAKE SOME SACRIFICES TO BE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OR WE FACE THE GREATEST EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO HUMAN.

>> THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PUBLIC TRANSIT IS ANOTHER WAY TO AVOID PAYING FOR GAS AND SOME TROLLEY STATIONS ARE MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY THAN OTHERS.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL VISITED ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S NEWEST STOPS WHERE SOME ADVOCATES ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> ONE OF THE PLACES IT IS NOW MUCH EASIER TO REACH IS UNIVERSITY CITY.

GETTING TO THE TROLLEY, TO THE NOBEL DRIVE STATION, IS NOT SO EASY.

>> SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO WALK AROUND STREETS THAT WERE DESIGNED JUST FOR CARS.

>> THOSE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS ARE WHAT GET YOU TO THIS TROLLEY STATION.

THIS IS THE POLICY COUNSEL FOR CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO.

THE NONPROFIT'S MISSION IS TO CREATE EXCELLENT MOBILITY CHOICES AND VIBRANT HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS.

TODAY, THAT MEANS TAKING A TOUR , A WALK AUDIT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS SURROUNDING THE NOBEL DRIVE STATION.

SAFETY VESTS ON THEY HAD OUT.

>> THIS IS USUALLY THE INTERSECTION I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH.

>> IT'S LED BY MARIA WALKER.

>> THERE'S NO CROSSWALK.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE LACK OF A CROSSWALK TROLLEY WRITERS APPROACHING FROM THE WEST HAVE TO WALK THROUGH A SHOPPING CENTER TO GET TO THE STATION.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE CROSSWALK ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE.

>> IT TAKES THEM THROUGH THE SHOPPING CENTER UP TO LA JOLLA DRIVE AND ONTO NOBEL WHERE THEY CROSS THE FREEWAY AND WALKED BACK TO THE TROLLEY STATION.

ALONG THE WAY, PLENTY OF ISSUES ARE DISCOVERED.

>> NO CROSSWALK.

NO TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

SOMEONE WITH VIGILANT -- VISUAL IMPAIRED WOULDN'T KNOW WHICH WAY THEY'RE WALKING.

>> WALKERS TAKE NOTE OF THE ISSUES THEY SEE.

>> IT'S FADED.

>> AT ONE STOP, WALKER MAKES AN OBSERVATION THAT MAY SURPRISE A LOT OF SAN DIEGO'S.

>> I FELT SAFER WALKING IN NEW YORK KNOWING THAT IT'S -- >> THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE FIVE CROSSING ON THE NORTH SIDE RETURNING ON THE SOUTH AND FINALLY BACK TO THE CRAWLEY STATION WHERE RECENT UNIVERSITY TRANSPLANT HAD SOME THOUGHTS.

>> I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A CAR JUST TODAY.

THERE'S A LOT OF SIDEWALKS THAT ARE INADEQUATE FOR NOT JUST EVERY DAY STUDENTS AND SHOPPERS BUT ALSO THOSE WITH MOBILITY AND IMPAIRMENTS.

VISUAL AND HEARING IMPAIRMENTS.

IT'S NOT SAFE.

>> THE INFORMATION FROM THE NOTES THE WALKERS TOOK TODAY WILL BE DISTILLED INTO A REPORT THAT WILL MAKE ITS WAY TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

THE HOPE BEING WHAT WAS LEARNED ON THE WALK AUDIT WILL TRANSLATE INTO REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS OUT THERE.

IN UNIVERSITY CITY, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

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