One of my Commuter Challenge Captains asked a couple of good questions regarding the Commuter Challenge.  I tried to answer the questions as best I could.  Perhaps you are having the same questions, or might want to offer your two cents:

I have two burning questions for your from some of the staff.  Many employees work 10 hour days, 4 day work week.  Is there any credit that is given for this scenario for the saved day of commuting?

My response: For the employees that work 10 hour days, we don’t really have a way this year to credit them for working 40 hours in 4 days instead of 5.  Next year we might be able to add a “compressed workweek”
option to account for this.

Also, some of the engineers that work on Emissions made this comment regarding motorcycle and moped credit for the challenge.  How should I respond to this?

***Are we sending the wrong signal here?

I understand the GHG benefit of riding a moped or motorcycle is significant, but I believe the emission levels of other pollutants (like hydrocarbons, including air toxics, and PM) from these bikes is actually higher per mile than most cars.

In terms of a combined environmental and health impacts point of view, I’d say moped and motorcycles are definitely a mixed bag.

My response: I know the motorcycle/moped thing is controversial.  It also depends on the type of vehicle.  I know some people have electric scooters, which don’t have any emissions.  This might be something I put up on the blog as something to discuss.

This post is from Commuter Challenge Ambassador Andrew.  Andrew works at Survey Sciences Group in downtown Ann Arbor:

After our organization joined the Commuter Challenger last May I learned more about the value of a sustainable commute. I took the bus and rode my motorcycle to work; not only throughout May but for a lot of the summer. I didn’t fully commit to taking the bus until my parking pass was no longer subsidized.

I could foresee parking costs adding up and with the addition of the Go!Pass from my employer, I’ve been taking the bus to work for over 4 months straight and saving $150 a month in just parking, not including gas! Since the bus stop’s close to our building the commute is not much longer than parking in the structure. And with the recent nice weather, I’ve also been riding my motorcycle around town as well! I look forward to our organization being at the top of the Commuter Challenge again as almost everyone uses a sustainable commute!