Way to Go! Commuter Challenge—Kick-off this Friday, May 1, 11:00 a.m.

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN, until May 8th close of business to sign-up for the sixth annual Way to Go! Commuter Challenge, May 4-8. This event encourages the use of cheaper, healthier, and more earth-friendly transportation alternatives to driving alone. Everyone who commits to walk, bike, telecommute, carpool, take the bus or use an alternative to driving alone will receive free giveaways and be entered in a drawing to win great prizes—iPods, Neuton battery powered mowers, Burton snowboards, overnight stays, yoga passes, golf and ski passes and more. Online registration is fast and easy at www.waytgovt.org.

Please join Governor Douglas, Senator Sanders (invited), Mayors and other political and business leaders from across Vermont at a press event on Friday, May 1st at 11:15 a.m. at Christ Church Pocket Park in Montpelier to kick-off this year’s Challenge. Way to Go! Montpelier and its partners will be hosting the festivities, including music, giveaways and fun beginning at 11:00 a.m.

New this year is the “2009 Community Challenge” encouraging Vermont cities and towns to compete for highest Way to Go! participation rate. Thanks to our corporate sponsor Merchants Bank, the top place winning community will win a commemorative bike rack with a plaque to proudly display their accomplishment. On June 5th, businesses, schools and the top city or town will be recognized at a special awards ceremony at ECHO on the Waterfront in Burlington at 3:00 p.m.

Last year nearly 3,000 Way to Go! participants saved an estimated 237,000 commuting miles, 206,000 pounds of CO2, and $49,000 in transportation expenses. Organizers have set this year’s goal to save at least 500,000 pounds of CO2.

Visit the Way to Go! Commuter Challenge website (www.waytogovt.org) for more information and to sign-up online. Both kids and adults are encouraged to join in. Improve your health—and the health of the environment—by choosing an alternative to driving alone when traveling to work, school, or play during May 4-8th. Contact Steve Gladczuk, 229-0389, gladczuk@cvregion.com for more information.