Get fit and help the environment: Join the Commuter Challenge this May

The Commuter Challenge is a fun, free alternative commuting competition that has happened each May since 2005. This annual event is a great way to save money, reduce your carbon footprint and get fit.

Bus, bike, walk, carpool/vanpool, even Park & Ride—whatever you choose, the Commuter Challenge makes alternative commuting simple and enjoyable. Whether it’s a lifetime change or just something you try once, you’ll get prizes, save money, and have a great time with your coworkers.

Employees can sign up for the 2015 Commuter Challenge now at www.LetsMakeaMove.org and begin logging alternative commutes on May 1. Employees who participate in the Challenge will be able to see the miles traveled, C02 reduced, and other statistics for themselves and their organization throughout the Challenge. Organizations with the highest participation in their employee size category will win a worksite party. Any employee who logs at least one commute gets free ice cream. All of the prizes can be viewed by clicking here.

From Green Commute Day to Bike to Work Day, there are plenty of events during the Challenge to get people excited about alternative commuting. Every week of the Challenge highlights a different type of alternative commuting.

Here are just some of the events offered throughout the week:

Green Commute Team Photo Contest May 1
Take a picture of you and your co-workers wearing green and email it to challenge@theride.org by Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m. to win great prizes. Winners will be determined by the number of likes on the getDowntown and TheRide’s Facebook pages.

• First Place: Free Ticket to the MI Theater for Everyone pictured and the picture-taker (max 20)
• Second Place: $10 Mden gift card for everyone pictured and the picture taker (max 20)
• Third Place: $5 Sweetwater’s Gift Card for everyone pictured and the picture taker (max 20)

Bus to Work Week: May 4-10

Prize Wednesdays: May 6, 13, 27 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pick up your prizes based on the badges you’ve earned so far. Prize pick-up location: Blake Transit Center (328 S. Fifth Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104)

On May 27, you can also stop by the UMHS Towsley Triangle to pick up your prize.

Friendly Fridays May 8, 15 and 22: Get on the bus with a friend or family member and tweet your picture to #makeyourmove or email it to challenge@theride.org to win a great prize for the people pictured.

Bike to Work Week May 11-17

Commuting Stations for National Bike to Work Day on May 15 from 7-10 a.m.
Businesses and organizations throughout Ann Arbor will be setting up bike commuting stations with free food, drinks and giveaways in celebration of National Bike to Work Day.

Walk to Work Week May 18-24

Carpool and Vanpool to Work Week May 25-May 31

Click here for information on Commuter Challenge events.

Organizations already signed up for the Commuter Challenge include the U-M Health System, Proquest, Workforce Software, The City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County Trial Court, Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, Amplifinity, McKinley, UM-ITS, UM-School of Public Health, The Cupcake Station, and hundreds more.

The Commuter Challenge is organized by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority and the getDowntown Program in partnership with the University of Michigan Parking and Transportation Services, The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the City of Ann Arbor.  The 2015 Commuter Challenge is sponsored by Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Google Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

Last year approximately 200 Organizations competed in the Commuter Challenge and over 1,600 participants logged at least one alternative commute in the month of May. Participants collectively logged 18,743 commutes and saved 253,650 lbs of C02.

The getDowntown Program provides commuting programs and services to downtown Ann Arbor employees and employers. A program of The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide), getDowntown’s partners include the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, and the City of the Ann Arbor. Programs and services include commuting information and resources to downtown employees, the go!pass program, bike locker and bike house rentals, and events such as Conquer the Cold and the Commuter Challenge.