After setting participation records last year, getDowntown's Commuter Challenge is shooting for new, higher goals and is incorporating art and music into this year's program.
"David Zinn is doing some great art this year," says getDowntown director Nancy Shore. "We are also focusing a lot more on teamwork this year so we will have a weekly team challenge each week."
Additionally, Shore says the well-known downtown street musician, the Violin Monster, is offering to serenade participating organizations on request during Green Commute Day, which will take place May 1. On Bike to Work Day, which will be May 17, getDowntown will be unveiling the first Bike House downtown in partnership with the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.
As of last week, more than 700 employees from 172 organizations have signed up for this year's Challenge. With 239 organizations having taken part in 2012, the 2013 goals are to have 300 organizations and 2,500 participants involved in the Commuter Challenge.
"We know that the Challenge changes lives, gets people to try alternatives and inspires them to spread the word to others," says Shore. "Our long-term goals are to continue to make alternative transportation a way of life for Ann Arbor employees. We also hope the Challenge will help us continue to make the case for increased investment in alternative transportation in this region."
Source: Nancy Shore, getDowntown
Writer: Natalie Burg
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