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Health & Fitness

Second Annual Bike to Work Challenge Launches in October

Local Non-Profits Encourage Atlantans to Get in Gear and Try Bike Commuting

Last year, more than 1,000 metro Atlanta commuters traded their steering wheels for handlebars and participated in the first-ever Bike to Work Challenge. More than 17,000 bike trips were logged, eliminating some 130,000 miles of car travel from the road and 64 tons of pollution from the air. This October, bicycle commuters, new and seasoned, can cycle their way to work and compete for prizes in the second annual Bike to Work Challenge.

Organized by the Georgia Department of Transportation, The Clean Air Campaign, Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, Atlanta Regional Commission and local transportation management associations, the second annual Bike to Work Challenge gives commuters the opportunity to compete as individuals or teams. By registering at www.atlbiketowork.org, participants will be able to log their bicycle commute trips, track their progress and compete for prizes.

“A growing number of Atlantans are interested in biking to work, whether it’s a single ride or by connecting with transit,” said Tedra Cheatham, executive director of The Clean Air Campaign. “Bicycling to work can free you from traffic and provide many health benefits. Last year, both new and veteran bicycle commuters came out in full force and proved that Atlanta has a strong biking culture. We hope to see even greater participation this year.”

Individuals and teams of two to five people will earn points throughout the month of October by riding their bikes to work, attending instructional bike classes and submitting photos from their biking trips during an online Facebook contest. Participants can track their progress against leaderboards throughout the month. Top individual and team winners will be announced on Nov. 4. Prizes include Patagonia rain jackets and more.

As an extra incentive for new cyclists, participants who try a bike commute for the first time will get bonus points. Plus, all teams will be required to have at least one new cyclist.

New this year, The Clean Air Campaign is also extending the Bike Challenge to teens attending metro Atlanta schools. Students ages 13 to 18 may participate in the Teen Bike Challenge and log bike trips via The Clean Air Campaign’s teen website, OnAir.  Participants may enter as teams or individuals and qualify to win weekly prize drawings. In addition, schools that motivate a significant portion of their student body to take part in the Teen Bike Challenge may qualify for Clean Air School recognition for the 2013-2014 school year.

Employers looking to improve their sustainability or health and wellness goals can support the Bike to Work Challenge by encouraging employees to register, helping organize teams and hosting bike events. Information, materials and support are available at www.atlbiketowork.org.

To find out more and register, visit www.atlbiketowork.org. The team registration deadline is Oct. 4, but individuals may continue to register through the end of the challenge.

About Georgia Commute Options

Georgia Commute Options is a joint effort between the Georgia Department of Transportation, The Clean Air Campaign, Atlanta Regional Commission and the region’s transportation management associations that help commuters and employers take advantage of commute alternatives. Georgia Commute Options is supported by a network of partners that provide customized commute options for workplaces and assistance and financial incentives for commuters. Each day, these programs eliminate 1.1 million miles of vehicle travel and save commuters a combined $500,000 on gas and car expenses. For more information, visit www.GACommuteOptions.com or call 1-877-9-GA-OPTIONS. Georgia Commute Options is also on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About The Clean Air Campaign

The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia employers, commuters and K-12 schools to encourage actions that result in better air quality and less traffic congestion. The Clean Air Campaign, along with its partner organizations, facilitates Georgia Commute Options, a program that helps employers and commuters choose alternatives to driving alone. Through its Clean Air Schools program, the non-profit also empowers students, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and improving air quality through an action-oriented education program. The Clean Air Campaign also protects public health by distributing Smog Alert notifications. In conducting these programs, The Clean Air Campaign works in partnership with The Georgia Department of Transportation.

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For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) or visit CleanAirCampaign.org. You can also find The Clean Air Campaign on Facebook at facebook.com/CleanAirCampaign and facebook.com/groups/cleanairschools Twitter at twitter.com/cleanairga and YouTube at youtube.com/GaCleanAirCampaign

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