Over 450 People Log Trips in the Commuter Challenge

Press Release
For Immediate Release
June 18, 2024
Contact
Lilliane Webb
328 S. Fifth Ave.,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
734-219-6596
LWebb@TheRide.org

ANN ARBOR, MI – The getDowntown Program, along with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide), is pleased to announce that over 450 people logged nearly 10,000 sustainable commutes during this year’s Commuter Challenge, which ran from May 1 – May 31. The challenge inspired residents to use sustainable transportation options to get to work, like walking, biking, carpooling, or taking the bus. Commuters were also encouraged to form teams with their colleagues for a chance to win workplace prizes.

“Commuter Challenge participants went above and beyond this year in finding sustainable ways to get to work, and we’re proud of the 265 commuters who joined the challenge for the first time,” said Lilliane Webb, getDowntown Program Director. “The community’s dedication in finding alternatives to driving alone saved more than 77,900 pounds of greenhouse gases from entering our atmosphere. That’s enough to power 7 homes’ electricity use for one year, or to charge 2.3 million smartphones.” Webb also thanked all the local businesses that contributed prizes or otherwise supported the challenge.

Fifteen individuals won gift cards to area restaurants and shops by logging commutes and engaging with social media contests during the month of May, and all participants could receive a free scoop of ice cream from Washtenaw Dairy when they logged their first commute. New to 2024 were embroidered patches, offered to all who took part in the Challenge to show off Commuter Challenge accomplishments.

In addition to the individual prizes, dozens of local workplace teams competed in four size categories to record the highest percentage of employees logging a sustainable commute. The winning 2024 Commuter Challenge workplace teams are:

2-20 employees: Michigan Association of Planning
21-49 employees: Workantile
50-100 employees: Mathematical Reviews
101+ employees: U-M School of Public Health Epidemiology Department

Community members are invited to keep logging their commutes throughout the year at CommuteAndWin.org and to be on the lookout for future challenges from the getDowntown program.
The Commuter Challenge is organized by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) and the getDowntown Program in partnership with the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the City of Ann Arbor. For up-to-date information on this and other benefits of commuting by alternative modes of transportation, visit http://www.getdowntown.org/.