Starting today you can sign up your organization for the getDowntown Commuter Challenge (happening May 2010).

The Challenge is a friendly commuting competition between downtown Ann Arbor businesses and orgs.

The Challenge is a great chance to try all of the great commuting options to downtown Ann Arbor.

The Challenge is free and you could win lots of great prizes!

Check out all of the action here: 2010 Commuter Challenge

Here’s a short little podcast with some Winter Bike Commuting tips from Vermont Public Radio.

And for those of you in Ann Arbor who Commute by Bike through the winter, don’t forget to participate in Wheels in Motion’s Winter Commuter Challenge.

Just in time for winter, Wheels in Motion is organizing the 2nd Annual Winter Commuter Challenge.  Log bike commutes during the winter months (12/21/09-03/20/10) and win!

Click here to learn more and to register.

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
Sanford C. Bledsoe III
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

Our Commuter Challenge Awards Ceremony is tomorrow (June 10).

We’ll be handing out awards for the following.  I am including nominees and other info where needed.

Commuter-Friendly Workplace Award: This award will be given to the organization that won the Commuter Challenge in each organizational category.

To see the Commuter Challenge Winners, click here for the Stats page.

getDowntown Leadership Award: Given to the Manager/CEO with the strongest commitment to sustainable transportation. The winner is determined by a vote from Commuter Challenge Participants.

Nominees:

• Rich Sheridan, CEO, Menlo Innovations (nominated by 1 employee): “Rich has encouraged me to help make Menlo a “greener” place, encouraging me to be CRO (Chief Recycling Officer), a role which helps keep me (and Menlo) thinking ecologically all year. Rich was one of the first to avail himself of the bicycle storage lockers one can lease from the city, getting one outside City Hall.”
• Grace Singleton, Managing Partner, Zingerman’s Deli (nominated by 5 employees): “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.”
• Heather Dupius, Owner, Vie Fitness and Spa (nominated by 1 employee): “Heather is totally committed to living a sustainable and healthy life and she loves showing other people how to as well.”

Super Commuter Award: Given to one of the people who was nominated as a Super Commuter during the Commuter Challenge. The winner is determined by a vote from Commuter Challenge Participants.

Nominees:

• Gail Christopherson, IT Director, Ann Arbor Credit Bureau:“It was Gail who brought the suggestion forward [to participate in the Commuter Challenge], promoted it, coordinated participation, solicited employees to participate and was the cheerleader in the office for the last two years now.”
• Jane Allen, Legal Secretary, City of Ann Arbor: “I am nominating Jane Allen for the Super Commuter because she walks to & from work everyday. Rain, wind, snow, very hot to very cold. Unless the weather is particularly extreme, then she will take the bus. Jane also teaches Rope Yoga on her lunch & walks to that class as well. Jane is a fabulous person & she is the reason why I have also signed up for the commuter challenge. She truly deserves this award for her dedication to be healthy & green!”
• Mike Woelmer, Senior Software Consultant,SRT Solutions: “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.”
• Tracy Weaver, Facilities Manager, Google:“In celebration of Bike to Work Day, Tracy is planning to make a round-trip bicycle commute from Dearborn–this is truly a super commute.”

Mutli-Modal Super Commuter: This Award will be given to the person in the Commuter Challenge who used the most different types of sustainable transportation.

Alpha Ambassador Award: This award is given to the Ambassador (or Ambassadors) who inspired the most people to participate in the Commuter Challenge and just generally acted as a great champion of sustainable transportation. The winner is determined by a vote from Commuter Challenge Participants.

To check out all of the Ambassadors in the running for this award, click here.

Green Hero Award: This award is given to the organization that showed the greatest commitment to sustainability during the Commuter Challenge and beyond.  Organizations could nominate themselves for this award.

Best Ambassador Blog Post Award: This award is given to the Ambassador who wrote the best blog post. The winner is determined by a vote from Commuter Challenge Participants.

To see all of the blog posts up for this award, click here.

The winners of this awards will be announced at the Commuter Challenge Awards ceremony on June 10th and on our blog on June 11th.

Commuter Challenge 2009 is finally over.  Whew!  We are still working on wrapping everything up.  But I do have the final stats and their comparisons from the last two years:

Number of organizations participating

2009: 140
2008: 117
2007: 66

Number of people participating (logged at least 1 sustainable commute)

2009: 1,806
2008: 1,482
2007: 231

Total number of sustainable commutes logged

2009: 20,391
2008: 15,407
2007: 9,407

Total sustainable miles logged and CO2 reduced

2009: 296,103 miles and 253, 433 lbs
2008: 247,413 miles and 211,760 lbs
2007: 112,813 miles and 96,556 lbs

Total Commuter Challenge Ambassadors

2009: 60
2008: 47
2007: N/A

The Winners

We will be announcing the Winners of the following awards at our Commuter Challenge Awards Ceremony on June 10th, 6pm, Conor O’Neills:

Commuter-Friendly Workplace Award
Awarded to the Commuter Challenge winners in each size category

Super Commuter Award
Awarded to a person who shows a great commitment to sustainable transportation and who got the most votes in our Commuter Challenge ballot.

Multi-Modal Super Commuter Award
Awarded to the person who used the most types of sustainable transportation during the Challenge.

getDowntown Leadership Award
Awarded to the CEO/Manager who shows leadership and a great commitment to sustainable transportation and who got the most votes in our Commuter Challenge ballot.

Alpha Ambassador Award
Awarded to the Commuter Challenge Ambassador (or Ambassadors) who got the most votes in our Commuter Challenge ballot.

Green Hero Award
Awarded to the Company who shows the greatest commitment to sustainability for the Commuter Challenge and beyond.

Best Ambassador Blog Post
Awarded to the blog poster who got the most votes in our Commuter Challenge Ballot.

We will also announce the winners of these awards on the getDowntown blog on Thursday, June 11th.

Finally, we have a Commuter Challenge eval survey that people are filling out.  Hope to have the results of that soon.

Another Commuter Challenge blog post from Ambassador Sarah S:

I have some karma to make up for-or more accurately, “car”ma. I ended up driving into work twice this month due to unavoidable circumstances, and I made a promise to myself that I would make up for it by running home from work.

This requires a small amount of planning, because I have to leave everything that I don’t want to carry at home-no purse, wallet or jacket-taking just a small bag with my running clothes and a tube of sunscreen. If I forget something I need for the run, I go without it or jury-rig a replacement. (In case you’re wondering, camping, or lost at sea: it is possible to make a ladies’ sports bra out of masking tape and an ace bandage.) The exception to this rule is the running shoes; I forget those, I kick myself all the way home on the bus.

Come 4:30, I duck into the nearest restroom to change. Friday’s run happened to be a two-fer: I was earning extra commuter credit, but also getting a head start on the last training run of the week. And with the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon looming large on the horizon, I would need every last mile under my belt.

The run goes something like this, and is set to the tune of the Scissor Sisters’ “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’.”

I’m gonna be the one who gets it right

I pick my feet up as I go down the hill. I pass the patients smoking illegally at the bus stop, hear the blue commuter braking behind me. Downhill is only slightly easier than uphill; if you lose your form, you’ll get a backache and shin splints. Also, gravity is eagerly waiting for you to hit uneven pavement so it can laugh at you as you tumble into the Arb. Do not give gravity the satisfaction.

Then why can’t I keep up when you’re the only thing I lose?

The breeze is cooler in the shade of the building. My shorts start slipping down; I re-tie them at the crosswalk, hoping that means the weight is coming off after all. I catch my reflection in a store window: calves are looking good. T-shirt tan, not so much.

So I’ll just pretend that I know which way to bend

OW. Tree branch in my eye. I flip my sunglasses down again for protection, weaving in and out of the crowd at the bottom of the hill. My lower back is cramping a little from the hold; I go up on my toes for agility, feeling like a gazelle, but probably looking like I am sneaking up on someone a mile away.

My heart could take a chance / but my two feet can’t find a way

Uphill on Depot street. Must not have heart attack outside the Gandy Dancer; irony will kill me.

If you stick around I’m sure that you’ll be fine

Final stretch up Main Street. I cross as soon as possible, ducking down Ashley to avoid the queues hanging outside the restaurants. Also avoiding the delicious smells coming out of said restaurants.

You can’t make me dance around…

A bee chases me on Pauline. I give up my walk break in favor of a serpentine wuss run, arms flailing until the stadium is out of sight.

But your two-step makes my chest pound

Allmendinger park is full of people-playing tennis, shooting hoops, watching their kids on the playground. I provide some small entertainment with my impression of Woman Who Cannot Get Up This One Last Hill, Because She Told Herself There Were No More, and She Lied. If I can make it up to Seventh, I will make it home alive.

Rather be home with no one if I can’t get down with you

At the front door of my building, my sister’s dog sits up in the window, sniffing to make sure it’s me. I hear a thump and her nails hit the hardwood as she scamper-slides over to the door, barking impatiently for me to find my key. Once inside, I pat her on the head and pull my headphones off on the way to the fridge. I look at the clock: 5:05. My usual bus pulls up outside the front window, and I smile knowing that I would normally be headed to the gym about now.