For those of you looking for ways to continue the momentum from the getDowntown Commuter Challenge, here are some ideas.  I’ll hopefully be able to provide some more thoughts in the coming weeks:

Your Commuter Challenge is just beginning!

Keep in Touch with getDowntown

• Click here to sign up for our mailing list. We send out a monthly enewsletter and occasionally updates and other info.
• In you are on Facebook, become a Fan of the getDowntown Program.
• If you are on Twitter, follow getDowntown

Websites to Know:

• getDowntown: getdowntown.org; blog.getdowntown.org; we’re also on Twitter and Facebook
• Advocacy Groups: wbwc.org; bike.ypsi.org; detroittransit.org; t4america.org; peoplepoweredmovement.org; lmb.org; bikeleague.org
• AATA: theride.org
• Zipcar: zipcar.com/annarbor or zipcar.com/umich
• Google Transit: google.com/transit
• UM Parking and Transportation: pts.umich.edu
• Ann Arbor DDA:Ann Arbor DDA: a2dda.org
• City of Ann Arbor: a2gov.org/bike and tinyurl.com/a2transportation

Speak Out:

• AATA Board: theride.org/board.asp
• DDA Board: Meets the 1^st Weds. of every month at 12pm at the DDA Offices (150 South Fifth Ave, Ann Arbor)
• Ann Arbor City Council Meetings: a2gov.org/government/citycouncil/Pages/Home.aspx
• UM Board of Regents: regents.umich.edu/meetings
• Talk up sustainable transportation at your work, at home, and in your community! Let people know why you bike, bus, walk, carpool, telecommute, moped/motorcycle, etc. Make it visible!

Write Out:

• Become a blogger for getDowntown: email us at info@getdowntown.org.  If you already have login information, write blog posts to let others know why you think sustainable transportation is important.
• Write a letter to your City Council Member, the Mayor or the UM Board of Regents (see links above).

Advocate:

• Become an Ambassador for the getDowntown Program: email us at info@getdowntown.org and we can add you to a mailing list and send you updates on what is going on with sustainable transportation in this community.
• Join the Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition (wbwc.org) and/or Bike Ypsi (bike.ypsi.org).
• Tell getDowntown what you, your work and your community needs so we can advocate for you.

And Remember (Sustainable Transportation Talking Points):

• Share your story.  That’s powerful.  Why do you use sustainable transportation?
• Carbon Emissions from Cars impact Climate Change
• There are wonderful Health and Fitness benefits of sustainable transportation
• There are some great Cost Savings when you drive alone less
• Economic Development and Talent Attraction: Investing in sustainable transportation encourages economic development and attracts talent.  More info on this point here.
• Independence and Freedom: When you know all of your commuting options you have more independence and freedom because you are not a slave to your car.
• Less single auto traffic means less congestion, more people and more fun!

Got any of your own thoughts?  Please share a comment.

We had a wonderful awards ceremony yesterday!  Lot’s of fun and excitement.  Thanks to everyone who made it possible.

Commuter Challenge 2009 Award Winners

Commuter Challenge Commuter-Friendly Workplace Award

This award is given to the organization who won the Commuter Challenge in their size category.

1 Person Organization Winner: Wally Meyers at Suwanee Springs. Wally is also receiving a $50 gift certificate from the Main Street Area Association.
2-9 Person Organization Winner: Dascola Barbers. Dascola Barbers will also receive a free Pizza Party from Cottage Inn.
10-24 Person Organization Winner: ApplEcon. ApplEcon will also receive free 10 minute massage coupons from Relax Station for everyone in the organization!
25-99 Person Organization Winner: Quinn Evans Architects. Quinn Evans will also receive a Free Tea Tasting From Arbor Teas for anyone in the organization that participated in the Commuter Challenge.
100-499 Person Organization Winner: UM College of Engineering, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences. They also won last year. This organization will also receive a free box of 6 chocolates from Schakolad for anyone in the organization that participated in the Commuter Challenge.
500+ Person Organization Winner: the City of Ann Arbor. The organization will also receive a free movie ticket to the Michigan Theater for anyone in the organization that participated in the Commuter Challenge.

To see all organizational stats, click here.

Super Commuter Award

This award is given to the individual who has shown an incredible commitment to using sustainable transportation during the Commuter Challenge and also got the most votes of all of the Super Commuter Nominees.

The Super Commuter Nominees are:

• Gail Christopherson, IT Director, Ann Arbor Credit Bureau
• Jane Allen, Legal Secretary, City of Ann Arbor
• Mike Woelmer, Senior Software Consultant, SRT Solutions
• Tracy Weaver, Facilities Manager, Google

The Winner of the Super Commuter Award is Mike Woelmer, Senior Software Consultant, SRT Solutions!
According to a co-worker, “Mike lives 18 miles from the office. He’s been riding his bike to work, round trip, most days (he’s only skipped days that he has to drive to a customer site, and on those days, he’s carpooled). In addition, he was the person who spearheaded our involvement in the commuter challenge and who has been keeping people motivated.”

Multi-Modal Super Commuter Award

This award is given to the individual who used the most different types of transportation during the Commuter Challenge.

The Winner of the Multi-Modal Super Commuter Award is Joe Hood, IT Director at Quinn Evans Architects!
Joe did 7 different types of sustainable transportation during the Commuter Challenge. The types were bike, bus, carpool, telecommute, moped/motorcycle, walk and run. When we told Joe he was in the running for this award, he said, “gee, if I knew, I would have roller-bladed one day.”

getDowntown Leadership Award

The Leadership award is given to the Manager or CEO who showed the strongest commitment to sustainable transportation during the Challenge. These individuals were nominated by their employees. The winner was the person who got the most votes of all of the Leadership Award Nominees.

The getDowntown Leadership Award Nominees are:

• Grace Singleton, Managing Partner, Zingerman’s Deli
• Rich Sheridan, CEO, Menlo Innovations
• Health Dupuis, Owner, Vie Fitness and Spa

And the Winner of the getDowntown Leadership Award is  Grace Singleton, Managing Partner, Zingerman’s Deli!
According to one employee: “Grace is an inspiration. She rides her bike year round. Which I personally think is pretty amazing. (she doesn’t live close by either). She made sure Zingerman’s was a sponsor this year. . . She is doing a lot outside the commuter challenge to help make Zingerman’s a bike / pedestrian friendly place.”

Alpha Ambassador Award

This award is given to the Commuter Challenge Ambassador who got the most people excited about the Commuter Challenge and using sustainable transportation and who did the most to promote sustainable transportation during the Challenge. The winners of this award were determined by a vote.

The winners of the Alpha Ambassador Award are (4-way tie)

• Logan Schaedig, Arbor Brewing Company
• Katy Derezinski, Thomson Reuters
• Anne Warrow, City of Ann Arbor
• Kristen Cuhran, Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan

Green Hero Award

This award is given to the Commuter Challenge Organization who has shown the greatest commitment to sustainability during the Commuter Challenge and beyond.

The winner is Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Science!

Here are some of the reasons Thomson Reuters won this award:

• Last year, local Thomson Reuters leadership sponsored the formation of a “Green Team” – a group of employees from around the business who help orchestrate environmentally-friendly activities within the company.
• After the 2008 Commuter Challenge ended, Thomson Reuters staged its own version of Curb Your Car from June 1 until Labor Day. Around 80 employees participated, finding alternative ways to get to work and avoiding 16 tons of CO2 omissions. After the Challenge was over, we held an awards ceremony that honored all participants, with special awards for those who participated the most.
• In September 2008, Thomson Reuters’ Green Team coordinated Green Week where employees raised over $800 to purchase carbon offsets, facilities management expanded the office recycling program to include batteries and cell phones in addition to paper, plastics, and cardboard, a daily online newsletter sent to all employees provided office-based green tips and more!

Best Ambassador Blog Post

This award is given to the Commuter Challenge Ambassador with the best blog post, as determined by a vote of Commuter Challenge participants.

The Winner of this award is Shannon Riffe of the Ann Arbor District Library for her post “Why I Choose to Use Sustainable Transportation.“

Commuter Challenge Final Stats

Check out the Final Stats from the 2009 Commuter Challenge by clicking here

Thank Yous

getDowntown would like to thank all of the people and organizations who helped make the Commuter Challenge a Success:

Sponsors
Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority
UM Parking and Transportation Services
Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (The Ride)
Quinn Evans Architects
Thomson Reuters
Zingerman’s Delicatessen
Miller Canfield
vgkids

In-Kind Prize Donors
Footprints on Main Street
Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Kerrytown Concert House
BD’s Mongolian BBQ
Cosi
Starbuck’s on Main Street
Main Street Area Association
Seva Restaurant
Orbit Hair Design
Shalimar
Eastern Accents
Fourth Avenue Birkenstock
Cafe Ambrosia
The Earle
Arbor Brewing Company
Bank of Ann Arbor
Suwanee Springs
Bella Ciao
Performance Network Theatre
Ann Arbor Biscuit Co.
Ann Arbor Healing Arts, LLC
Raine @ Salon In The City
University of Michigan Parking and Transportation
South University Area Association
MichiVan Commuter Vanpools

Commuter Challenge Ambassadors
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Ashley Baum
Terri Blackmore
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Eric Boyd
Dave Brenner
Andrew Brix
Kevin J. Bush
Steve Coffman
Norman Cox
Kristen Cuhran
Anya Dale
Katy Derezinski
Kevin Eyer
Lynne Fremont
Gint Gaska
Jeff Gaynor
Bruce Geffen
Sobha George
Aimee Germain
Riin Gill
Shari Gordon
Dunrie Greiling
Jessica Hanley
Juli Harrison
Fulter Hong
Neal Kessler
Steven Kronenberg
Astrid Larsen
Mona Logarbo
Vicki Murphy
Leah Nilsson
Sean O’Connor
Payal
Aimee Reische
Michael Rice
Shannon Riffe
Derek Roberts
Marlene Robinson
Logan Schaedig
Brian Schneidewind
Frank Schwende
Paul Slagle
Sarah Smallwood
Conan Smith
Elizabeth Tidd
Sara Tucker
Emilie Tullis
Bonnie Valentine
Anne Warrow
Wendy Welser
Bonnie Wessler
Chad Wood
Joe Wywrot