Sole Power - Commuting Challenge on foot, on bike, on skates
In Colorado, Town of Vail, Vail Recreation District, ECO Trails Challenge the Eagle Valley Community to Bike, Run, Walk and Skate More, and Drive Less - and calling out to the community to find Eagle Valley residents with the most Sole Power as part of the green commuting challenge underway through Labor Day weekend. Returning for its second summer, the challenge is free and designed to encourage individuals and teams to use non-motorized transportation to and from work, running errands, social functions or wherever their destination may be. Participants are asked to track daily miles.
During the challenge, participants can also track daily stats against other teams and riders, as well as calculate calories burned, gas money saved, carbon dioxide emissions eliminated and more. At the end of the challenge, prizes will be awarded to the top teams and individuals who achieved the most mileage and most trips. Over $1,000 in prizes will be given away to those with the most Sole Power throughout the challenge through weekly drawings for anyone logging miles within that week. According to Town of Vail Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Kristen Bertuglia, in 2010 nearly 100 participants logged a total of 12,000 miles of green commuting. Bertugilia says the mileage saved participants approximately $2,000 total in gas and reduced 12,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emmissions. Last year’s top commuters were Jim Platzbecker, logging 1,885 green commuting miles as he rode his bicycle from Edwards to Vail each day, followed by Jamie Malin with 822 miles, Sandy Skiles with 767 miles, Dan Brewster with 700 miles and George Ruther with 575 miles. Top teams included Eagle County Government, Town of Vail Community Development Department, West Vail Liquor Mart and the Avon Public Library. Participants who logged the most individual green commuting trips included Lisa Ponder, Sandy Skiles, Kip Tingle and Gailrose Baldwin.
Supporters of the Sole Power challenge include Pazzo’s Pizza, Aria Club and Spa, Riverwalk and Capital Theaters, Big Bear Bistro, Marketplace, Antlers Lodge and West Vail Liquor Mart. For details on how a business or individual can contribute to the program, contact Bertuglia at 970-477-3455.
Follow Us!