Sure, anyone can drive their
own car to work -- but how about walking, carpooling, busing, or kayaking to get
home?
This year's Commuter Challenge, through the month of May,
saw 326,992 sustainable miles logged (up from 286,883 last year), the
equivalent of driving around the earth 13 times. In all, 20,522
sustainable commutes were logged (up from 19,967) by 1,848 people (also
up, from 1,748). And yes, a few people organized a kayak trip home down
the Huron River.
"Every year we get better and better," says Nancy Shore, director of getDowntown, which encourages and supports commuting. Shore also
organizes the Commuter Challenge. She says she found that often people
have been interested in commuting to work, but driving a car where you
want to go is just like any other habit. "The Commuter Challenge was the extra
incentive, the extra push to get out of the habit," she says. "This is a time when (commuters) actually get off their butt and
do it."
She's still analyzing results of a commuter survey, but is surprised to see how many people are giving commuting a try for health
reasons. Awards were given to commuters that already rode their bikes to
work, who tried various types of commutes, and who logged the most miles
biking or walking. Commuter-friendly workplaces were also recognized.
Organizations encouraging commuting
were also up from last year, to 164 from 138. Considering the cost of
gas, participants saved $441,535 for the month, which amounts to $239
per person.
Source: Nancy
Shore, director for getDowntown
Writer: Kristin
Lukowski
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