News Releases
Clean Commute Day Event Schedule for May 16, 2008
For Immediate Release, 4/14/2008
Roanoke, VA., April 14, 2008 – Jeremy Holmes, Transportation Alternatives Coordinator with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and Program Director for RIDE Solutions, is encouraging area drivers to Commute Clean on May 16 by biking, walking, carpooling or taking public transit instead of driving alone to work. Clean Commute Day marks the traditional start of the summer ozone pollution season, is an opportunity for area commuters to explore the links between their transportation habits and air quality in the Valley, and encourages them to take an active part in improving the region’s air by taking the Clean Commute Pledge at RIDE Solutions’ website.
"We want commuters to know how easy it is to practice clean commuting," said Holmes. "Just one day a week spent carpooling, bicycling, walking or using public transit can have a significant improvement on the region’s quality of life by reducing vehicle emissions and traffic congestion, saving money on commuting expenses, and even improving physical fitness. Plus, with the cost of gas rising every day, it makes financial sense too."
Commuters who take the online pledge at www.ridesolutions.org/cleancommute will be eligible for a prize drawing the day of the event. Area businesses, governments, and other organizations are also encouraged to form teams to compete for the Cleanest Team in the region in several categories based on organization size. Winners will be announced the afternoon of Clean Commute Day.
The event will also do double-duty as National Bike to Work Day, which RIDE Solutions is recognizing with a series of six bicycle commuting routes that crisscross the Roanoke region, each of them ending at the Virginia Museum of Transportation. From 7:00 to 9:30 am, RIDE Solutions and the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club will host a hospitality tent with free refreshments and a chance to win a new bicycle courtesy of Cardinal Bicycle. Complete details, including route maps, can be found at www.ridesolutions.org/cleancommute.
"We want commuters to know how easy it is to practice clean commuting," said Holmes. "Just one day a week spent carpooling, bicycling, walking or using public transit can have a significant improvement on the region’s quality of life by reducing vehicle emissions and traffic congestion, saving money on commuting expenses, and even improving physical fitness. Plus, with the cost of gas rising every day, it makes financial sense too."
Commuters who take the online pledge at www.ridesolutions.org/cleancommute will be eligible for a prize drawing the day of the event. Area businesses, governments, and other organizations are also encouraged to form teams to compete for the Cleanest Team in the region in several categories based on organization size. Winners will be announced the afternoon of Clean Commute Day.
The event will also do double-duty as National Bike to Work Day, which RIDE Solutions is recognizing with a series of six bicycle commuting routes that crisscross the Roanoke region, each of them ending at the Virginia Museum of Transportation. From 7:00 to 9:30 am, RIDE Solutions and the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club will host a hospitality tent with free refreshments and a chance to win a new bicycle courtesy of Cardinal Bicycle. Complete details, including route maps, can be found at www.ridesolutions.org/cleancommute.
