We’re on a roll in Davis on our buses and bikes, and in October the campus and Unitrans will show everyone just how sweet the ride can be.

SATURDAY DOUBLE-DECKER

Unitrans, the city and the Davis Farmers Market are partners in the new double-decker bus service on the first Saturday of every month — with free rides for all.

Normally, Unitrans runs the buses only on weekdays. The buses — vintage and modern — are a hit with students and the community. So Bob Bowen, the city’s promotions manager, figured tourists might like to come for a ride, too, if they could do it on the weekend.

In addition, said Anthony Palmere, Unitrans general manager, “Saturday service provides a way for families with kids to have a chance to ride the buses on days when the parents are off work and the kids aren’t in school.”

The Davis Farmers Market is sure to benefit, too. There’s a bus stop just steps away, at Third and C streets. Market hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the double-decker will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The bus service also may help alleviate the parking crunch at the farmers market. Here’s your alternative: Park in the Quad Parking Structure off Howard Way, on campus, then catch the double-decker for a ride to the market. The MU Terminal is adjacent to the parking structure (parking is generally free on Saturdays).

Palmere said the city’s Unitrans Advisory Committee decided unanimously to go with a modern double-decker for the Saturday service, because the bus is accessible to people with mobility devices, unlike Unitrans’ vintage double-deckers from London.

Unitrans plans to park one of its vintage double-deckers near the farmers market the first Saturday of every month, so people have a chance to see the old and the new.

Video: Join KCRA television's Tom Miller for an "old-school" ride on Unitrans.

The idea is to get people out of their cars during Car-Free Month, which is being observed around the region.

Here’s what’s in store on campus and in Davis:

Saturday double-decker — Unitrans will put a double-decker into service on the first Saturday of every month, starting Oct. 3 — not one of our historic London buses, but one of our modern double-deckers, which are just as fun to ride in, especially for the kids.

Unitrans is offering this service free of charge in cooperation with the city and the Davis Farmers Market. The bus will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. between the Memorial Union Terminal and the Amtrak station, via Second and Third streets, with a stop at the farmers market (Third and C streets). See the route map.

Oh, and one more thing, on Oct. 3, besides enjoying free rides on the double-decker, you can ride every other Unitrans bus for free — in celebration of Car-Free Month! And, all during the month, musicians will be performing on selected buses.

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Bike Auction — The Bicycle Program will hold its first auction of the new year, Saturday, Oct. 10. Need some new wheels? This is the place to be, when more than 400 bikes will go up for bid. These are bikes that have been abandoned on campus and have gone unclaimed.

The Bicycle Program holds two auctions a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Average selling price at the last auction: $44.

The inventory can include bikes of all kinds — cruisers, mountain bikes, road bikes, BMX and even children’s bicycles — in all kinds of conditions.

Auction preview starts at 7:30 a.m., and the sale starts at 9 and continues until all items have gone up for bid. Sale location is the west entry parking garage (Pavilion Parking Structure) off Hutchison Drive east of La Rue Road.

More information is available online. Or call the Bicycle Program, (530) 752-BIKE (2453).

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Aggie Pride Ride — This first-time event is scheduled after the Bike Auction. So, you can buy a bike and go on your first ride! Or ride the bike you already have, wear your blue and gold, and meet up at 1 p.m. at the ASUCD Bike Barn.

“Students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members are invited to ride the Davis Bike Loop together showing their Aggie Pride prior to the homecoming football game,” said Transportation Services’ Leslie Mancebo, who is working with the Bike Barn to organize the fun ride. (The football game starts at 4 p.m.)

The Aggie Pride Ride will be casually paced, with Bike Barn employees and Davis Bike Club members as leaders, Mancebo said. The Davis Bike Loop is 12 miles long (mostly flat), but the organizers are looking at options for alternate, shorter routes.

The Bike Barn will be open, offering discounts and other deals for people who come away from the auction with bikes.

“We also hope to introduce as many students as possible to our shop and the services we offer,” said Robert St. Cyr, Bike Barn director.

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Other Car-Free Month activities in Davis include:

• Crossing Guard Appreciation Day — Wednesday, Oct. 7
• Halloween Bike Ride — 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, meet at Ken’s Ski-Bike-Board
• Park-a-Bike Commuter Breakfast Station — 7:10-8:20 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, Amtrak station). Local bike rack maufacturer Park-a-Bike sponsors this event, offering small treats.

See the complete list of events here.

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UC Davis goClub — For staff, faculty and astudents, to assist them with commute options. Club benefits include:

• Free Zipcar membership
• Discounted bus and train passes
• Complimentary goClub parking permits
• Access to lockers and showers at the ARC
• Free carpool matching service
• Access to an emergency ride home program

“I would also be happy to provide one-on-one trip planning to anyone with questions about getting to UC Davis car-free,” said Mancebo, who runs the program.

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Prizes — UC Davis students, faculty and staff can win Davis Downtown gift cards (10 will be given away, each valued at $20) for going car-free in October. To be eligible, you need to set up an account with the Sacramento Region Commuter Club; specify UC Davis as your school or employer, then log your October miles (except drive-alone miles).

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Bak2Sac — Are you thinking about a bike ride from Sacramento to Davis, say, for lunch or dinner, but don’t necessarily want to ride back? Try Bak2Sac — which will give you a free train ticket from Davis to Sacramento (for you and your bike), provided you pick up a voucher at a participating business.

The vouchers are valid only on the day of issuance, for any train leaving after 7 p.m. weekdays or noon Saturday and Sunday. Turn in your voucher at the Amtrak station and receive your train ticket.

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