The second annual Oregon Drive Less Challenge, spearheaded by Commute Options and the Oregon Department of Transportation, is kicking off this week. Running October 6-19, the challenge aims to connect Oregonians with green, healthy travel options. Participants will pedal their way, walk, share the ride and tap into transit throughout the 14 day challenge with the collective goal of eliminating one million vehicle miles.
“We’re excited to be part of this statewide effort for the second year in a row, aimed at connecting our residents with the many transportation options we have in Central Oregon that can save money, improve health and mobility and keep Oregon’s environment cleaner and healthier,” said Jeff Monson, executive director of Commute Options.
To join this year’s Oregon Drive Less Challenge, sign up for free at www.drivelessconnect.com Then, from October 6-19, log bus, bike, carpool, vanpool, walk, skateboard and/or carshare trips for work, errands or play, plus teleworking, for the chance to win prizes.
Grand prizes include a custom folding bike from Eugene-based Bike Friday valued at $2,600 or one of two $500 Oregon getaway gift cards. Daily prizes include KEEN shoes, Nutcase Helmets and Kindle Fires. Individuals can join at any point during the Challenge.
Local assistance from Commute Options is available to help individuals find carpools and/or vanpools, navigate bus schedules and routes, determine bike routes, and answer challenge-related questions. Additionally, the Commute Options website, www.commuteoptions.org, features useful local resources and guides to aid in planning trips.
The 2014 Oregon Drive Less Challenge is made possible with support from Amtrak Cascades, Car2Go, Bike Friday, KEEN Footwear, Nutcase Helmets and others.
More details about the Oregon Drive Less Challenge can be found at www.DriveLessConnect.com/challenge.
Those who join the challenge and log trips can win a variety of prizes:
• GRAND PRIZES- Custom-built folding bike by Bike Friday valued at $2,600, or one of two $500 Oregon getaway gift cards
• INSTAGRAM/FACEBOOK PHOTO CONTEST- Participate in the Drive Less social media photo contest to win one of fourteen $50 cash cards!
• DAILY PRIZES- Log trips on mode-themed days:
– Walk Monday (Oct. 6 & 13) – $75 KEEN Footwear Gift Cards (50 winners)
– Transit Tuesdays (Oct. 7 & 14) – Bus or Amtrak Cascades pass
– Rideshare Wednesday (Oct. 8 & 15) –$150 Kindle Fires (4 winners)
– Telework Thursday (Oct. 9) – $100 Office Depot Gift Cards (2 winners)
– Skate Thursday (Oct. 16) – $100 Tactics Gift Cards (2 winners)
– Bike Fridays (Oct. 10 & Oct. 17) – Nutcase Helmets (50 winners)
– Weekend Warrior Days (Oct. 11, 12, 18 & 19) – $50 REI Gift Cards (50 winners)
