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Commuter Challenge encourages alternatives to driving alone

Biking and walking are the focus on Friday, May 19

Walk or bike to work in downtown St. Paul or Minneapolis on Friday, May 19, and in addition to enjoying free food and beverages you'll be eligible for some great prizes.

National Bike/Walk to Work Day is part of the Twin Cities metro area's 2006 Commuter Challenge, an annual campaign to encourage employees to take the bus or train, carpool, vanpool, walk or bike to work instead of driving alone. It grew from the former B-BOP (Bike, Bus or Pool) Day and now runs for three months: April through June. It is sponsored by Metro Transit, 494 Commuter Services and the Anoka County, Downtown Minneapolis, Midway and St. Paul transportation management organizations.

By pledging to try an alternate form of transportation for as little as one day, commuters are eligible to win a flat-screen television, a weekend bed-and-breakfast getaway, iPods, bikes and other prizes. Those who currently use an alternate mode also are eligible if they pledge to do it more frequently.

Rybak, who frequently commutes to work on his bike, issued a challenge to mayors of other cities and towns in the metro area. “Mayor Coleman and I invite you to encourage your own commuters to participate in this year’s Commuter Challenge,” Rybak said.

Bike racks on all Metro Transit buses make a combination bike-and-bus commute to work fun and easy.

Coleman heightened the challenge. “People use alternative forms of transportation for many reasons — personal health, air quality and reduced traffic congestion. Now they can compete for community pride as well,” Coleman said, noting that Metro Transit will name the community with the highest per-capita participation at the end of the Commuter Challenge.

Lamb stressed the ease of participating. “Basically, anything that gets you to work counts —walk, bike, car or vanpool, take the bus, ride the train —you name it,” Lamb said. “Commuters will be entered to win great prizes and you never know, they may just like it and do it again!”

Commuters may pledge online or by requesting a pledge form at 612-373-3333, Option 4. Many businesses will sponsor “commuter fairs” at their workplaces during the Challenge. At these events, employees can learn more about transportation alternatives and complete pledge forms.

• Learn more about the Commuter Challenge.
• Find out how to promote the Commuter Challenge at your company.