March 24, 2009

Contact:
Margo O’Hara
312.427.3325 x 224
margo@activetrans.org

Employers battle to be healthiest during Bike Commuter Challenge

Chicagoland companies will again go helmet-to-helmet to earn the honor of having the healthiest and most active employees during Bike to Work Week June 13-19.

Registration is open for the 2009 Bike Commuter Challenge at www.activetrans.org/commuterchallenge. The Challenge is a weeklong event where companies compete for the highest percentage of employees that bike to work during Bike to Work Week.

“It is easier than ever for companies to boost staff health and morale,” said Rob Sadowsky, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “The recently passed bike commuter benefit, coupled with this event, is the perfect time to make the office more bike-friendly.”

Here is how the Challenge works:

• Get a crew: Each company’s Team Leader pumps up their office mates and gets the crew ready for the big Challenge. Active Trans equips Team Leaders with all the information and tools their team needs to commute by bike.
• Bike! After hyping up the entire office, from CEOs to staff, the Team Leader tracks how many people bike at least one trip during Bike to Work Week.
• Celebrate: Active Trans will announce the winners, will relish in bragging rights and fabulous prizes.

In 2008, more than 350 companies fought for the bragging rights.

“We expect at least 500 companies to compete this year,” Sadowsky said. “More people are escaping from costly and frustrating commute to one that is good for their waistline and their wallet.”

The Bike Commuter Challenge is part of Bike to Work Week, when we celebrate the two-wheeled commute. Cyclists can fuel up with free air and coffee at Bike Commuter Stations located at suburban Metra stations and along Chicago bike routes. Times and locations will be posted at www.activetrans.org/biketoworkweek.

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. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, 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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