ANN ARBOR, MI – The getDowntown Program is pleased to announce the start of Conquer the Cold: Retro Edition. Challenge participants can track their environmental impact and earn opportunities to win prizes by getting around the Ann Arbor area without driving alone January 15 through February 15, 2024. 

For the Retro Edition, the program joins the communities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, which have both reached bicentennial milestones, in acknowledging the past while looking towards the future. The two top prize sponsors, Bivouac Ann Arbor and H.E.H. Human Electric Hybrids, each have more than a decade of serving the community under their belt. 

“Having helped Ann Arborites dress to enjoy outdoor activities for decades, Bivouac is excited to offer the top prize for the Conquer the Cold Challenge,” stated AJ Davidson, Bivouac Ann Arbor President. “We are happy to support those learning how to get downtown without a car in the winter months.” 

Conquer the Cold is one of several programs of TheRide that encourages walking, biking, using public transportation, and carpooling instead of driving alone. To participate, community members log whenever they take trips using sustainable forms of transportation on www.commuteandwin.org. At least one trip that starts or ends in the Ann Arbor area needs to be logged to be eligible for prizes.

New this year are transportation badges commemorating yesteryear that can be earned for logging trips by walking, biking, bus, and carpool as well as teleworking. There are also several in-person and online events tied to the challenge, including information sessions and social gatherings. The public is invited to attend to learn more about subjects like the VanRide program, Park & Rides, and winter bike riding.

“There was a time in everyone’s life when, if we wanted to go anywhere, we walked, biked, took a bus, or rode with someone else. Whether that was 1974 or 2003, the adventures we had before getting driver’s licenses were some of the most fun and memorable,” explained Lilliane Webb, getDowntown Program Director. “This challenge invites our community to start off the year getting back to that joy by finding days when we can each get away from the weighty responsibility of driving oneself.” 

Community members can also tag @getDowntown on Facebook and Instagram while completing certain social media challenges for opportunities to win gift cards to local businesses.

Visit ConquerTheCold.org for challenge information, event details, and winter commuting resources.