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2010 Commuter Challenge in Waterloo Region - May 30 to June 5
This year is the 11th annual Commuter Challenge, a friendly competition between Canadian cities to promote active and sustainable lifestyles. Which cities will have the greatest number of people take alternative transportation modes this year? Let's put Waterloo Region at the top of the charts!
The 2010 Commuter Challenge takes place from May 30 to June 5 and everyone can participate! Any regular travel from one place to another is considered a "commute," so whether you are a workplace, school, organization or an individual, you can sign up today!
There are so many modes of transportation to choose from and try out during the week. Besides the well-known choices like carpooling, taking transit, cycling and walking, there are several other exciting ways to travel! Why not try in-line skating, skateboarding, longboarding, parkour, unicycling, tandem-biking or even ride your horse? (Yes, this has happened.)
Commuter Challenge is a great time for you to get involved, make a difference and give your car a vacation! Take the challenge, get active and reduce your carbon footprint!
Why participate?
- Improve your health by building activity into your day with sustainable travel
- Save money by not having to fill your gas tank
- It's Environment Week - reduce greenhouse gas emissions and road congestion
- It's a (friendly) competition - let's show everyone we're the best!
- Win amazing prizes - there are more than $1,000 in prizes to be won throughout the week!
How did we do this year?
- Waterloo Region placed FIRST in Ontario and SECOND in our population size category for Commuter Challenge 2010!
- 1,440 people signed up to give their car a vacation during Commuter Challenge 2010!
- We saved 94,910 kilometres during Commuter Challenge 2010
- We collectively saved $14,275.15 in vehicle savings and 27,157 kilograms in greenhouse gas savings!
- Together we burned 1,329,523 calories!
2010 Prize Winners:
- 2 Person Balloon Ride - Caroline Baker (GSP Group)
- Canoing on the Grand River Gift Certificate - Hanica Van Looyen (City of Kitchener)
- Dinner and a Show Package from St. Jacob's Country Playhouse - Susan Domiczi (MHBC)
- Tavelwise Package - Michael James (Economical Insurance Group)
- Dinner and a Movie Package from Princess Cinema - Jenn MacKinnon (Sunlife Financial)
- Dinner and a Movie Package from Princess Cinema - Ben Hurwitz (WLU)
- Dinner and a Movie Package from Princess Cinema - Mark Dykstra (City of Waterloo)
- Dinner and a Movie Package from Princess Cinema - Christine Koehler (City of Waterloo)
- Dinner and a Movie Package from Princess Cinema - Daya Underwood (Sustainable Waterloo)
- Galaxy Cinema Night - Laura Von Farra (City of Kitchener)
- Galaxy Cinema Night -Natalie Roberts (Rockwell Automation)
- Galaxy Cinema Night -Stewart Campbell (Maple Leaf Foods)
Congratulations to the following Organizations for topping their size categories!
Under 25 Employees:
- Grand River CarShare
- Sustainable Waterloo
- WESA Kitchener
25-50 Employees:
- MHBC Planning - Kitchener
- Conrad Grebel University College
- Digital Display and Communications
51-100 Employees
- The Working Centre
- Enermodal Engineering
- AECOM Canada Ltd. - Kitchener
101-500 Employees
- OTIP
- Mennonite Savings and Credit Union
- Desire2Learn
500+Employees
- Wllfrid Laurier University
- City of Waterloo
- The Economical Insurance Group
Highlights from Commuter Challenge 2010
Schedule of Events for Commuter Challenge May 30 to June 5:
June 1, 2010 - Great Commuter Race:
Starting at 8:30 a.m., local politicians, including Regional Chair Ken Seiling and Kitchener City Councillor John Gazzola, will enter into a friendly competition from Davis Centre in Waterloo to Civic Square in Kitchener (approximately six kilometers) using various modes of transportation.
June 1, 2010 - 2-for-1 Transit Tuesday:
You and a co-worker, friend, or family member can ride Grand River Transit for one paid fare when you board a bus on Tuesday June 1, Clean Air Day! A paid fare includes cash, ticket, monthly pass, day pass, school term & college pass, U-Pass, or a corporate pass. For more information see here.
SUNDAY
Psyched-Up Sunday | MONDAY
Most Modes Monday | TUESDAY
2-for-1 Transit Tuesday | WEDNESDAY
Walk it Wednesday | THURSDAY
3 on Thursday Carpool | FRIDAY
Favourite Friday | SATURDAY
Say it Saturday |
| Time to get excited for Commuter Challenge! | See how many modes you can try on your commute. | Try saying this tongue twister 10 times fast. | Clean Air Day! | Calling all carpoolers. | Choose your favourite sustainable mode of travel today. | Don't let the excitment stop! Keep it up this summer and tell us about your experience. |
| Test different modes of transportation to get ready for tomorrow. | A bike and helmet are your ticket to a free light breakfast between 7:30am - 9am at Waterloo Town Square. | Bring a friend or colleague and ride the bus with a 2-for-1 pass. | Show off your walking gear and wear sneakers while commuting! | If you have three of more, each person is entered to win a special prize. | Bring a friend or colleague to travel with you and challenge each other to continue sustainable travel throughout the summer. | Photo contest: We want to see you commuting. Send us your best stories and pictures from the week. |
The 2010 Commuter Challenge in Waterloo Region is brought to you by:
 
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