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Commuter challenge registration is now open
Just got back from a press conference on the Austin Commuter Challenge at City Hall. Mayor Will Wynn spoke briefly about the need to encourage more people to drive less. The Austin Commuter Challenge is an interesting, and what should be a fun program to help get the message out. The challenge began as a game between employees at the Bicycle Sport Shop to get folks to ride more to work. It worked. So now this year’s challenge is open to everyone, including team participation. I’m hoping this gets a nice turnout and it will become an annual event.
Another interesting point during the press conference was about the City of Austin employee bike share program. The Austin Climate Protection program has purchased automatic-shift bicycles that city employees can use to ride to meetings, lunch or other activities. It sounds like a good step, I just wonder how many city employees will take advantage it, especially during the blazing hot summer months. I am hoping that through the use of these bikes, those that do ride will begin to realize just how problematic commuting can be in Austin. It could only help to accelerate more awareness and progress to those who actually have the power to change our city’s infrastructure and law.
By the way, if you haven’t checked out the Austin Climate Protection program, you should. It sounds like an aggressive plan to make our city a leader in the fight against global warming.
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By Tarvin
April 6, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
The steps the City can take in reducing carbon emissions pale in comparison with the INCREASE in carbon emissions that growth causes. One data center uses a massive amount of energy and the City actively recruits them and other businesses (battery manufacturing, solar manufacturing, etc.) that use way more energy than the city can save. We’re not even running in place, we’re getting more behind.