We began our day by setting up emissions tests at our favorite spot at the Coney Island Exit of the East Loop Drive. This test will allow us to collect the particulates in the air, the pollutants released in car emissions. In order to this, we needed Vaseline, index cards, paper clips, and rubber bands; a very DIY version of emissions testing (EPA Rules? Ha!).

It was a bumpy start for me today as I rode my bicycle to work. I attempted to kick a brown paper bag off my front tire, got my foot stuck in the wheel, and flew forward onto my hands and feet, while I watched my bike do a Ghost Rider 360. Nonetheless, I made it to the park on time, smacked on a few bandages, and happily greeted my fellow Youth Advocates.

From our first day of work, we had been forewarned: Soon enough, we would have to present our Campaign Plan to the entire staff of Transportation Alternatives. By July 15th, my fellow Youth Advocates and I were working diligently on our presentation. The presentation was supposed to be about our ideas and goals for the campaign this summer. Although our manager told us we were brilliant, I still had my doubts and was very nervous about presenting myself to my superiors.

Transportation Alternatives is proud to announce the arrival of our newest, youngest, and certainly smartest staff members, the Prospect Park Youth Advocates. The Prospect Park Youth Advocate Campaign represents T.A.'s first completely youth-oriented and youth-led campaign. These four Brooklyn young people will bring new energy and fresh ideas to T.A.'s 20-year-old quest to rid Prospect Park's loop drive of dangerous and polluting cars.