Commuter Challenge

Bike Lexington 2013 Commuter Challenge presented by Pedal Power Bike Shop

Kick off National Bike Month this May with a friendly competition between Lexington bicyclists and bike-friendly businesses!

What: A competition to see who can log the most bike commutes and which businesses can encourage the most bicycle commuting during the month of May.

Who: Any business, non-profit, organization, or individual in Fayette County.  If you work for a large company or organization, you are encouraged to register as a division or department (e.g. UK Department of Chemistry).  Business categories that will compete against one another are: Small:  0-10 employees, Medium:  11 – 25 employees, Large:   26 – 100 employees, Extra-large:  101+ employees

When: Register anytime beginning April 8.  Competition runs May 1st through May 31st.

How: Register as an individual or as an employee of a business.  If you are registering as an employee and don’t see your business name in the drop-down list on the registration page, please email Lindsay@bullhorncreative.com.

Why: Because it is fun. Because it is good for you. Because it will save you money. It will make you a better employee, a better boss, and a better business.

Here’s what you or your business could win:

  • A prize will be awarded to the individuals with the most trips and most miles logged
  • Four businesses with the highest percentage of “trips per employee” will receive a write-up in the July edition of Business Lexington.
  • The winning business overall will be awarded the “Golden Cranks” and ultimate bragging rights.

FAQs:

What counts as a “trip”?

Everyone in the challenge competes as an individual and should log any (one-way) bike trips made commuting, running errands, etc. (just not recreation or fitness).  For those who are also logging trips for their business, you will record how many of your total trips were commuting to and from work.

For example, if you rode your bike to and from work four times during a week (8 one-way trips), once to the Farmers Market (2 one-way trips), and once to and from lunch (2 one-way trips).  You would enter 12 personal trips and 8 commuting trips.  You may only enter up to 2 work-related trips per day. You will also be able to enter miles ridden per week.

When do I log my trips?

You will enter a weekly total of trips and mileage at www.bikelexington.com.  We encourage you to submit them by Friday as we will announce current results each Monday. However, you may enter your weekly totals any time before the competition ends at 11:59pm on May 31st.

How and when will we know who’s won?

Bike Lexington will send out weekly competition updates so you’ll have an idea where you and your business stand. Please note: Participants are allowed to enter their trips at any time during May, so the weekly updates may not reflect accurate numbers. Winners will be announced to everyone by email after the final trips and miles are logged after May 31st.

 Not compelling enough?  Did you know:

  • The average person loses 13 lbs the first year that they begin commuting to work by bicycle.
  • Just three hours of bicycling per week can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.
  • The U.S. could save 469 million gallons of gasoline a year just by increasing cycling from 1% to 1.5% of all trips.

 Where can I find more information on bike commuting?

If you are new to cycling or commuting by bike and are looking for good streets for bicycling, tips on riding, and gear, visit these resources:

http://lexingtonky.gov/bikewalklex (see Bike Facilities tab, Bike Commuting tab, Safety and Rules tab)

http://www.sustainability.uky.edu/transportationresources (for those commuting around campus)

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