What is it?

Way to Go! Commuter Challenge is an annual one week event (upcoming May 17-21, 2010) to encourage everyone to use a transportation alternative including: walking, biking, carpooling, transit and telecommuting.  Participation in 2009 grew by 20 percent with 3,552 folks pledging to use cheaper, healthier, and more earth-friendly transportation alternatives to driving alone. Together, commuters saved 236,813 miles for the week, 10,516 gallons of fuel and 213,000 pounds of transportation pollutants.

This is a terrific project for energy committees to help to promote and all are encouraged to help tackle the transportation sector by promoting this program locally.  Everyone who signs up will receive great giveaways and be entered into a raffle drawing of great prizes including: iPods, snowboards, battery-powered mowers, overnight stays, restaurant gift certificates, and more.

It is easy to participate.All the materials iyou need to promote the event including posters and brochures, help promotional tips, are available in downloadable format at www.waytogovt.org.  

Be sure to check out the special events and trainings in April to help promote statewide participation under events on the home page. Be sure to spread the word and particpate in the business share and learns, dates and locations TBA soon.  You can begin promotion as early as Town meeting.  Getting an early start will help boost participation and a willingness to shift to a more earth-friendly form of transportation.

To help encourage participation, organizers offer special awards to top performing businesses, schools and communities. Businesses and schools can voluntarily compete for the Best Commuting School and Workplace awards. Last year, the Town of Hinesburg won the 2009 Community Challenge Award. This year, communities will compete for the 2010 is a "Community Challenge" where communities will  go head to head to get the highest participation rate.

How to get started with a group or community

• Check out the Way to Go! website (www.waytogovt.org)
• Encourage folks to sign up for Go Vermont at www.connectingcommuters.org
• Identify any volunteers that might want to help with this project.
• Download helpful materials.
• Identify upcoming events where you might have an information table (Way to Go! organizers and partners are ready to help you begin promotion in your community and workplace.
• Identify businesses/ groups that you already have connections to let them know about the Challenge.  Ask employer representatives to visit the Way to Go! website and sign up their workplace (no fee or obligation, simply a pledge and commitment to encouarge participation and receive recognition as well.
• Set up meetings with their CEO's and local leaders and introduce them to the program
• Brainstorm ideas for tailoring outreach, education and promotional events to meet your needs
• Plan your own on-site events and encourage others to do the same.
• Track results and provide recognition
• Call Way to Go! Commuter Challenge organizers for specific assistance.

Links

Way to Go! Commuter Challenge: www.waytogovt.org 

Go Vermont: www.connectingcommuters.org

 Benefits

• Reduce pollution from transportation including harmful greenhouse gas emissions
• Save money on gasoline and fuel
• Improve your physical health as well as the health of your community
• Reduces transportation infrastructure costs
• Keeps dollars in the local economy