You still have time to get moving for 2017 Oregon Drive Less Challenge! Discover healthy, green travel options for work, school and play that can save you money. Burn calories instead of gas by biking to work or divide the ride and the cost by carpooling. Take the bus and let someone else do the driving so you can relax and listen to music, or read that page-turning suspense thriller. Get quality time with your family by walking to the store.
When we all act together, we can make a huge positive impact. Last year, Oregonians from across the state logged 91,628 trips and 819,525 non-drive alone miles over the 14-day challenge. Through this, we collectively prevented 530,436 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, and saved $93,947 in gasoline costs.
How to Participate (It’s easy!)
You can join the Challenge any time before Saturday September 30, which is the last day of the challenge. We encourage you to start right away by registering at www.drivelessconnect.com. Then, take the bus, carpool, vanpool, bike, walk and/or telework and log your trips on the website. Any trip counts for all days, including weekends – for work, school, errands or play. The more trips you log, the better your chances of winning fabulous prizes.
Win Daily and Grand Prizes
Throughout the challenge, you’ll be entered to win daily prizes such gift cards from KEEN, REI and Dutch Bros., plus Grand Prizes of GenZe electric bikes (valued at $1500 each), and $500 cash cards. Additionally, local central Oregon businesses have offered up local prizes such as gift cards from Savory Spice, Ruffwear, Strictly Organic Coffee, The Gear Fix and bus passes from Cascades East Transit.
Make It Fun
Challenge yourself and your family (you can certainly include your dog-walking into the mix too) to find creative ways to get around town without driving alone. Create a fun competition at your workplace to encourage and incentivize staff to walk, bike, carpool, or ride the bus. High-five your neighbor who brought the bike out of the garage so they can ride to work. Smile at the bus driver when you get on the bus. Give yourself your own rewards by taking the challenge – you deserve that extra latte for the extra miles walked to work!
“The Oregon Drive Less Challenge is a statewide signature event that can be fun and rewarding for everyone. Even opting for one or two days to walk, bike, or ride instead of driving can make a big difference in our community, and you might find you enjoy the time you spend not driving,” said Jeff Monson, Executive Director for Commute Options.
Join this year’s challenge to discover what more you can get by driving less by visiting www.drivelessconnect.com. Need information, help, or resources on how to drive less? Contact Commute Options. We can help!
Commute Options promotes choices that reduce the impacts of driving alone. For more information, contact Executive Director, Jeff Monson at 541-330-2647 or visit www.commuteoptions.org
Katy Bryce is a freelance writer in Bend. www.katybryce.com
