I’m happy to share with you information about an exciting
campaign that can contribute to our community’s environmental goals
and our collective well-being. One of our local residents, Ain
Indermitte, has taken the lead for the community and has already
secured prizes from local vendors.
I’m happy to share with you information about an exciting campaign that can contribute to our community’s environmental goals and our collective well-being. One of our local residents, Ain Indermitte, has taken the lead for the community and has already secured prizes from local vendors.
Residents of the Peninsula and South Bay are invited to help the environment and their own health and well-being by participating in the 2011 Drive Less Challenge from April 22 (Earth Day) to May 5. Sign up is at www.drivelesschallenge.com.
The Drive Less Challenge encourages participants to try out alternative, non-car transportation like public transit, biking, walking and carpooling. The goal is to promote health, quality of life and environmentally sustainable transportation behavior by reducing solo vehicle trips.
Anyone can participate but local merchants offer prizes to top performers who live or work in Burlingame, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Francisco or Sunnyvale. An award party will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Kepler’s Books & Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.
In 2009, 120 participants in Menlo Park replaced more than 5,000 car miles with alternative “green” trips, reducing local CO2 emissions by more than two tons.
In 2010, 280 participants in four communities replaced 29,000 miles, equivalent to taking 55 cars off the road. In 2011, with 13 communities, organizers expect a substantial increase in both participants and green miles.
Modeled after social games and behavior change programs in fitness and health, the Drive Less Challenge encourages finding practical alternatives to driving by means of social encouragement, competition and personal goal-setting. Participants form into groups of their choice, like work place, school, neighborhood, and church, with everyone’s progress visible to all.
“The Drive Less Challenge’s unique online tool makes it a fun experience where you can track your trips, see how you’re doing compared to friends and neighbors, and see how your community is doing against others,” said Adina Levin, of the Menlo Park Green Ribbon Citizens’ Committee and founder of the Drive Less Challenge.
Participants can follow and share their experiences with friends and colleagues on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Drive-Less-Challenge/) and Twitter (@driveless). Major sponsors include Microsoft, Specialized Bicycle Components, Interactive Sciences Inc., The Palo Alto Weekly, and Valley Transportation Authority. Direct volunteer, donation, and general inquiries to:
dr****************@gm***.com
.
Anthony Eulo is a Program Administrator for the city of Morgan Hill who will be biking more this year. He thanks Ain for his leadership on this issue. Most of this week’s column was prepared by the Drive Less Challenge team. He welcomes your questions, comments, and thoughts and can be reached at 778-6480 or
en*****@mo********.gov
.
