What is the WCC 2004?
The Commuter Challenge is a national sustainable transportation event
to celebrate Environment Week. Green or active kilometers are compiled
for each registered organization on the National commuter challenge
website, and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions are calculated
from participants collectively choosing green or active modes of transportation.
In Winnipeg, the friendly 5-day competition encourages individuals in
workplaces and schools to adopt alternative forms of transportation
to get where they're going! Prizes are awarded to workplaces and schools
with the highest participation rates for several categories based on
total population.
Why participate in the WCC 2004?
Commuting by car is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions
in Manitoba. GHG emissions are the leading cause of climate change and
air pollution. Plus, most Winnipeg workers are increasingly sedentary
and stressed out. In fact, 63% of Manitobans do not engage in enough
physical activity. The Winnipeg Commuter Challenge 2004 provides an
active and fun way to prevent greenhouse gas emissions and address physical
inactivity!
This friendly competition among workplaces and schools is a way of showcasing
those Winnipeg commuters who decide to choose sustainable modes of transportation.
Plus, prizes are awarded for winning schools and workplaces. So choosing
to take transit, cycle, walk or carpool from May 31 - June 4, 2004 is
a way of celebrating your choice to commute in a green or active manner!
How does the Challenge work?
Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM) and its planning partners are inviting
Winnipeg businesses and schools to join in a friendly competition to
promote clean air commuting. Our goal is to build on the success of
last year's Challenge, where Winnipeg placed first overall, edging out
other major Canadian cities, including Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver,
and Edmonton.
Participants will bus, bike, walk, skate, paddle, carpool and "telecommute"
to work or school from May 31 - June 4, 2004 to emphasize alternative,
ecologically healthy means of commuting. Media events will be held prior
to and during the Challenge to raise awareness about climate change
and encourage sustainable modes of commuting all year round. The Winnipeg
Commuter Challenge 2004 will take place in the City of Winnipeg, so
commuters traveling within the city and into the city from surrounding
communities are eligible to participate.
How do I Register my workplace/school?
To register for the Commuter Challenge, please
visit
www.commuterchallenge.ca
The national website, coordinated by Go
for Green, will guide you through the registration process. The
site will ask you to register in Manitoba under your city or community
as a national, provincial or local organization, as a school or as an
unaffiliated individual. You will be asked to provide contact information,
including your email address, and to choose a password. A confirmation
message will be sent to you by email. Once you click on the activation
link in that message, your account will be made active.
Visit www.commuterchallenge.ca
during the week of the Commuter Challenge, May 31 to June 4, and use
your email address and password to submit your daily green or active
kilometers.
For more information on how to register or log your kilometers for the
Winnipeg Commuter Challenge, please call RCM at 925-3772, or e-mail
serge@resourceconservation.mb.ca
Who organizes the Challenge?
Resource Conservation Manitoba receives much help to organize the Winnipeg
Commuter Challenge. We depend on local planning partners in the fields
of health, active transportation, government and environment, as well
as, generous community and government sponsors to make the event possible.
Check out our planning partners and sponsors for the Winnipeg Commuter
Challenge 2004!
Planning Partners
City of Winnipeg
Manitoba Public Health Association
Winnipeg Transit
Climate Change Connection
Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Cycling Association
Prairie Pathfinders
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Province of Manitoba
Sponsors
City of Winnipeg
Winnipeg Transit
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Great West Life
Investors Group
Manitoba Hydro
Olympia Cycle and Ski
Winnipeg Free Press
Province of Manitoba
Mountain Equipment Co-op