Get your commute on

Bike to Work Week is June 13-19. From the Bike Commuter Challenge to Bike Commuter Stations at your Metra stop, we are ready for the annual celebration (and inspiration) of the two-wheeled commute.  Get the schedule and details on Bike Commuter Stations online at www.activetrans.org/commuterstations

By Akane Tsuruta

The Bike Commuter Challenge is underway; and with more than 100 teams already signed up, this year is shaping up to be the best yet (for rookies, the Bike Commuter Challenge is the competition among Chicagoland companies to have the highest percentage of employees bike to work during Bike to Work Week, June 13-19, 2009).

Heavyweight contenders The Field Museum, Worth Public Library, Design Integrity and WTTW/WFMT are back to defend their titles. But at their heels are businesses that are going the distance to be green and healthy all year round by integrating biking into their office cultures.

Perkins + Will Team Leader Andrew Broderick revealed some pages from his playbook; and competitors, watch out. Broderick and two coworkers, Jeff Saad and Gelacio Arias, have already organized two seminars, open to all employees – an introduction to commuter cycling and a basic bike maintenance class. They’ve got an online discussion board, and they’re tracking individuals’ miles from April through the end of October for fun and extra motivation.

“Everyone at work knows us as biking leaders, so there’s a sense of responsibility to new bikers – motivating and educating to ensure their safety and make it a positive, fun experience,” Broderick said.

As more businesses in the region spar for Bike Commuter Challenge glory, it’s difficult to make predictions, but here are a few: The Anti-Cruelty Society will show no mercy. Sir Speedy Printing always gives competitors a run for their money. Swedish Covenant Hospital is not making any pacts with Ikea Bolingbrook and Schaumburg. And it’s going… going… Argonne National Laboratory is looking to hit it out of the park.

In this competition, it doesn’t take guts and stamina, just a team leader to promote safe and fun bicycling. “It’s impressive what an individual act can do when it’s part of a community working together,” Broderick said.

Sign up your company to go helmet-to-helmet in the 2009 Bike Commuter Challenge at www.activetrans.org/commuterchallenge.

Akane Tsuruta is Active Trans' communication manager.