Join Kansas City’s effort to improve air quality while you reduce your fuel costs during the Green Commute Challenge. Ride a bus, streetcar, scooter or bike – or carpool, walk or telecommute to work.
The Green Commute Challenge encourages work places to form an employee team and find alternatives to driving for daily work commutes. Individuals can also register, and everyone is eligible for prizes.
This friendly competition runs until Sunday, October 31, with weekly prizes for those who log the most points by reducing their emissions. The challenge is designed to improve air quality and introduce commuters to riding the bus, biking, walking, carpooling or telework.
The Green Commute Challenge also addresses unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. As many employees return to the office, the challenge encourages employers to consider telework as a critical corporate sustainability initiative and a zero-emission commute option.
“There’s been a work-from-home revolution,” said Karen Clawson, air quality program manager for the Mid-America Regional Council. “Prior to the pandemic, we knew teleworking was a viable way to reduce the number of single-occupant cars on the road. While we know many must return to the workplace, it’s encouraging to see many companies offering increased flexibility for their employees to work remotely.”
Participants are eligible for prizes, including gifts from challenge partners like the Soap Refill Station, Museum at Prairiefire, Midwest Cyclery, Charlie Hustle, Sequence, Messenger Coffee, Waldo Pizza and more.
In 2019’s challenge, 39 organizations and 470 participants logged 29,036 trips saving a total of:
- 256,858 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions
- 13,069 gallons of fuel
- $49,472 on gas
To register for the challenge and track your telework, biking, walking, scooter, carpool/vanpool, or transit trips, go to the RideshareKC app, or learn more at Green Commute Challenge. If you have questions, contact [email protected] or 816-842-7433.
Photo: Darrin Dressler