This year, the City of Williams Lake annual Commuter Challenge will be held from June 6-10.
The Challenge is to encourage residents to leave their cars at home for their personal health, the health of our community and the health of the environment.
By biking, walking, bussing, carpooling or paddling, the teams in the 2010 Challenge commuted a total of 5135.75 kilometers over five days.
They prevented approximately 1,693 tonnes of greenhouse gases and 36.46 grams of PM2.5, the main pollutant of concern in Williams Lake, from entering our atmosphere and the air we breathe.
The goal for the 2011 event is to beat these numbers.
Everyone is encouraged to participate. For those who regularly ride their bike, walk or carpool throughout the year, why not make it count?
Just register and track your kilometres during the week.
Plus, all individuals participating in the challenge will have the chance of winning gift certificates from local retailers.
For each day that you participate, your name will be entered into a draw for a chance to win prizes.
The more days you participate, the greater are your chances of winning a prize.
Teams and individuals can win under the following categories:
• most carbon reduced
• highest percentage of staff participating
• oldest & youngest participants
• most unique transportation
Team categories:
• school/service club
• business/government
• family
• individual
E-mail your commuter story by visiting www.breatheasywilliamslake.org. They can be inspirational, amusing, serious or just for fun, and they will be posted at the end of the challenge.
Register online at www.breatheasywilliamslake.org or in person at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Centre on or before June 5. For more information, call 250-398-7665.
Free transit will also be provided on Clean Air Day, June 8.