Posted on May 21: Commuters challenged to get fit, help the environment

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BY Julia Thomson

May 21, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/daryl_bender.jpg” caption=”Daryl Bender”]Want an excuse to get fit, help the environment, and have fun? The Commuter Challenge is the answer.

McMaster University is once again joining the City of Hamilton's efforts in the Commuter Challenge, an Environment Week event that encourages Canadians from St. John's to Victoria to try more active, sustainable forms of transportation. It all takes place May 30 to June 5, 2004.

On Wednesday, May 26, ACT will host an Active Transportation Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) marketplace. The fair will feature informative speakers, a “Foot First Fashion Show” and other activities.

On Monday, May 31, there will be a free pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. in the MUSC/Mills courtyard (if it rains, the location will be MUSC Marketplace). Join McMaster President Peter George for a tasty start to the Commuter Challenge week. Be sure to bring your Commuter Challenge button.

Wednesday, June 2 is Clean Air Day. This day will be marked at the “Walk n' Roll Parking Lot Party” in the Zone 2 parking lot by MUSC from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (The rain date is Friday, June 4). There will be music, food, unicyclists, McMaster's Swing Club, recognition of McMaster's “Commuter Heroes” (members of the McMaster community who have gone the extra distance in their transportation choice), rollerblade and bike repair demos. There will also be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for cycle safe bike lockers and an unveiling of McMaster's bike trailer program.

Whether you're getting newly acquainted (or re-acquainted) with your bike seat, bus pass, rideshare partner or walking shoes, or whether these modes of transportation are old friends, there are a number of ways for members of the McMaster community to participate in the 2004 Commuter Challenge.

Commuters who choose the bus will save 200g of carbon dioxide emissions for every kilometer they travel, according to the ACT Office. To ride the HSR for free all day on Wednesday, June 2 (Clean Air Day), pick up a sticker from Compass Information Centre in MUSC or the security desk at the Downtown Centre, and get on board. If you want to use the bus beyond Challenge week, the ACT Office is offering a 20 per cent discount on June HSR passes to McMaster and MSU employees. Passes are available from Compass as of Monday, May 17 while supplies last. Please bring your employee ID.

To sign up for the Commuter Challenge:

  • Sign the pledge card. This is your commitment to do your part during Commuter Challenge week, whether that entails a change in your normal routine or not.

  • Select a method to record your participation during the week. The ACT Office encourages online recording and will send participants a friendly e-mail reminder with a link to the form each day of the Challenge. If you prefer pen and paper, the ACT Office has provided a Diary Card on which to record your participation.

  • Record your transportation choices and distance each day, and find out your air pollution savings. Did you know that biking saves 240g of carbon dioxide emissions per kilometer?

Once you sign up, you will receive a Clean Air Day button which will be your ticket to Communter Challenge activities and free stuff.

As an extra incentive, the department with the highest participation rate wins lunch at the University Club.

“Clean air, physical fitness and friendly competition are motivating some serious changes at McMaster,” says ACT Office co-ordinator Jennifer Dawson. “By participating in the Challenge, you're letting the campus and larger community know that you are part of the transportation solution.”

For full details about the Commuter Challenge visit http://ACT.mcmaster.ca.

Photo caption: During last year's Commuter Challenge, ACT Office co-ordinator Daryl Bender helped distribute complementary water to McMaster commuters.