Released May 3, 2011

Contact:
Ethan Spotts
312.427.3325 x 287
ethan@activetrans.org

Chicagoland businesses go helmet-to-helmet in the Bike Commuter Challenge
There are already 116 workplaces signed up for the competition

Businesses are gearing up to be the healthiest and greenest in Chicagoland by getting their employees to participate in the Bike Commuter Challenge, which happens during Chicago's Bike to Work Week. Already 116 companies have registered for the week long battle to see who can get the most employees to bike June 11-17.

The competition is getting fierce with the likes of Groupon, Google, Orbitz, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and scores of law firms, museums, colleges, and municipal departments.

Will your workplace be next? Don't miss out on this chance to compete to a happier, healthier work environment.

The Active Transportation Alliance's annual Bike Commuter Challenge, June 11-17, invites all Chicago companies to put mettle to the pedal and see who can cross the finish line as the greenest and healthiest workplace in Chicago.

Here is how it works:

1. Team leaders sign up their company at www.activetrans.org/bikecommuterchallenge. Team leaders can be anyone -- an administrator, staff, president, director, owner, manager -- whoever! Choose the correct category for your business so you can compete against similar organizations.
2. That person encourages their team of coworkers to bike at least one trip during Bike to Work Week, June 11-17. Team Leaders then collect the results and submit them online.
3. Active Trans will supply team leaders with all the tools they need to make bike commuting an easy choice for their teammates -- bike maps, how-to manuals and e-challenges to egg on their rivals. Team leaders also get a free technical fabric T-shirt.
4. The companies with the highest percentage of bike commuters that week win! A luncheon following the Commuter Challenge celebrates team leaders and honors the winning companies.

Bike commuting experts are available to visit offices and demonstrate easy tips and tricks to get your office on two wheels. Presentations are free, with certain conditions. Contact Kim Werst at kim@activetrans.org or 312.427.3325 x 234 to reserve one today!

Sign up your company today and see how fun and healthy your office can be. Register at www.activetrans.org/bikecommuterchallenge.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America's largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

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