A: Yes! But not through the Group Health Commute Challenge website.
As Cascade’s Commute Challenge drew to a close last week, we received a ton of inquiries from people who enjoyed tracking their miles with us so much that they want to keep doing it all year. And we think that’s great. But we’re not going to be able to provide year-long trip-logging through our website.
Here’s why: We only have funding to support the Challenge during one month of the year (pssst… donations keep all Cascade programs going strong). We’ve also heard from participants that the month-long timeframe actually contributes to the success of the program, since it’s easier for people to stay engaged over a short period of time.
We feel good knowing that Bike Month helps new bike-commuters get started — and helps everyone get energized for another year of riding — and we trust that summer sunshine will keep that momentum going once the month is over.
That said, we recognize that some of you really like tracking your trips. So here are some options for those of you who aren’t ready to break the habit:
- Take on the road ahead with the National Bike Commute Challenge or one of these other great trip-tracking options.
National Bike Commute Challenge
Scale: Nation-wide
Timeframe: May 1 through Aug. 31
Types of trips: All bike trips (including recreational ones)
Rideshare Online
Scale: Washington state
Timeframe: Year-round
Types of trips: All modes (including transit, carpool, etc.)
Walk Bike Ride Challenge
Scale: Seattle
Timeframe: Year-round, in two-month cycles
Types of trips: All modes (including transit, carpool, etc.)
Tour de Redmond
Scale: Redmond
Timeframe: July 9 through Aug. 31
Types of trips: Bicycle only
Daily Mile
Scale: Everywhere!
Timeframe: Year-round
Types of trips: Workouts (including bicycling, running, swimming, etc.)
There you have it. Best of luck as you venture into other trip-tracking contests and web interfaces — and please let us know if you discover features that would help us improve the Group Health Commute Challenge for next year.
Thanks for mentioning the Seattle Walk Bike Ride Challenge among the many great trip tracking programs you referred inveterate trackers to. Seattle Department of Transportation welcomes Bike to Work Month riders—and friend, family, co-workers—to our July & August program, which opens a little early, on June 18.
Keeping track of trips is easy with an online tracking calendar. As mentioned, “Challengers” can track all trips; the program lasts two months and there is a drawing for great prizes after the July & August round.
You’re welcome to join our May & June round now to get the hang of the tracking and once you’ve entered your enrollment info joining the next program on June 18 is just clicking a button. A modest hitch is the program’s for people who live or work in Seattle.
I hope to see Bike to Work Month cyclists throng to our July & August Walk Bike Ride Challenge, beginning June 18, but anytime you like.
Thanks,
Tim Rood
SDOT Walk Bike Ride Challenge Coordinator
In addition to the Tour de Redmond, anyone living in or commuting to Redmond can track their alternative commutes on the rTrip web site year round (https://www.gortrip.com/home/home.aspx). There are regular prizes provided both by rTrip and by specific employers within Redmond. Log 50 alternative commutes (no time limit) and get $50. Anyone living in Redmond can also track their non-commute trips.
rTrip is a partnership between the City of Redmond, King County, the Greater Redmond Transportation Management Association, and Redmond businesses.
Glen Buhlmann
GHCC Captain
Bike to School Month Organizer
Redmond Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee
All around advocate for bicycling as a form of transportation
And you can always ‘double-dip’ and track your trip/miles on more than one site. I registered for the National Bike Challenge (May 1-Aug 31) and the GHCC concurrently. Still logging on National Bike Challenge. If I lived in Seattle, I’d register for the July & August Walk Bike Ride Challenge as well.
People who work and/or live in downtown Bellevue can participate in the Downtown Bellevue Commute Club (http://www.chooseyourwaybellevue.org/about/commute-club.php). Log 25 round-trip commutes by bicycle or other non-drive-alone mode and receive a $50 incentive.
Scale: Downtown Bellevue (workers, residents)
Timeframe: Year-round
Types of trips: All modes (including transit, carpool, etc.)
Michael Ingram
Bellevue Transportation Dept.