Thank you for your interest in the Walk/Ride Day Corporate Challenge! Registration for the Challenge is now closed, but your organization can still unofficially participate in Walk/Ride Days! Meanwhile, check out some of our most frequently asked questions.

Q. What is this?

The Walk/Ride Day Corporate Challenge is a competition among Boston area employers to encourage alternative commuting habits just one day a month, over the course of seven months. The Challenge aligns with Green Streets' signature Walk/Ride Days when, on the last Friday of every month, individuals can check in on our website to indicate they have used active, sustainable transportation.

Q. My company/organization is on board!  What are the next steps?

Designate a point of contact person, or in-house coordinator and register here. Next, we’ll send the coordinator materials and give full support throughout the competition, including monthly Walk/Ride Day reminders and news about which raffle prizes will be offered.  The coordinator simply forwards information to his or her colleagues and reminds people to log their commutes online.  It really is that easy!

Q. Do we have to pay to participate in the Walk/Ride Day Corporate Challenge?

There is a small suggested donation fee requested to help with administrative costs. However, if this donation is a burden to an organization, please let us know; we do not want to turn workplaces or their staff away from the Challenge. There are also sponsorship opportunities with great visibility potential. You can read about those at http://bit.ly/gogreenstreets.

Q. Our company already has some similar incentives in place. Some of us already participate in Bike Week and the Mass Commuter Challenge. Why should we do this, too?

Participating in the Walk/Ride Day Challenge requires very little work on your part, and won’t conflict with any other commuting incentives already in place at your organization. In fact, it's a great way to promote other efforts! All you and your colleagues have to do is check in online each Walk/Ride Day, keep an eye on the leader board, and find out if you’ve won some great stuff.

Q. Many people in my company already take public transit, bike, or walk to work everyday. As parking can be expensive in the city, some people don’t “get the big deal” around what is essentially their only option to get to work. 

This competition celebrates people who commit to alternative transportation, no matter what brought them to make that choice.  It is also built to encourage and bring awareness to people who make other commuting choices, like single occupancy vehicles.  The bigger message is: The car is not the only option to get to work! This challenge is making a statement to support transportation that benefits our health, the environment, and our community. By showing that employees of our different organizations use public transit, bike, walk, etc., we are all leading by example.

Q. But we already recycle.

Great! But in addition to helping the environment, walking, biking, taking the T is good for your health and productivity, too, adding a bit more activity to your day. And scientists say that one of the most effective ways of slowing climate change is to reduce automobile driving.

Q. I live too far away from the office to walk, bike, or take public transportation to work.

That’s okay. Carpooling, walking part way, and ridesharing count, too. Even allowing telecommmuting is one way that some companies choose to support Walk/Ride Day participation.

Q. How long will the Challenge go on?

Seven months: April 26 through October 25, 2013.

Q. Will we get anything for participating?

Our website shows the network of retailers who offer all kinds of rewards and bargains each Walk/Ride Day. And each month a fabulous prize will be raffled off among all those who log their commutes ("check in") online.

Q. Can you remind us that it’s Walk/Ride Day?

Absolutely! We’ll send you a reminder the week of Walk/Ride Day to check in, along with a link to where you can do so.

Q. Who are we competing against?

Companies, universities, hospitals, and other workplaces within greater Boston. And, this year, for the first time, you can register sub-teams in your own organization, so that you can competing amongst within your company, while still teaming up with them in the friendly competition against other workplaces.

Q. I already ride my bike, walk, or take the T to work. Can I still participate?

Yes!

Q. Anything else I should know?

We will be hosting and publicising other events on or near Walk/Ride Days throughout the year. If your organization would like to host a Walk/Ride Day event to build community around this important mission, please let us know.

Not only do we want to encourage commuting habits that improve health and the environment - we also want to create a space where people can share best practices and talk and about their experiences. 

We will be partnering with many great organizations for these events and many people will be on hand to answer questions about commuting options.