October is Active Transportation Month (ATM) at Washington University. The goal of ATM is to motivate staff, faculty, and students to kick the car habit and try active, low-carbon means of transportation. If you cannot imagine going car-free, consider carpooling or budgeting time to try transit one or two days during the month. If you are an everyday cyclist, try and commit to going grocery shopping or getting to and from the laundromat on two wheels. Whatever your commitment to active transportation is today, we ask that you step it up during the month of October!
This fall’s ATM begins on October 1 with a bike trip to Grove Fest, an annual event featuring street performers, live music, and great food from local Grove businesses. It continues with free bicycle tune-ups by Big Shark Bicycle Company on the Danforth and School of Medicine campuses.
A pivotal component of ATM is the Active Transportation Challenge, which offers the WashU community the chance to form teams and track their commutes in terms of miles logged, calories-burned, and CO2-saved. Last fall, 81 teams logged 931 car-free trips, and we hope that even more will participate this year!
Active Transportation Challenge teams will earn points for commute totals, attendance at events, and participation in a photo contest. All participants will receive a free t-shirt and an invitation to our awards ceremony lunch. Teams will also be eligible for trophies and other prizes based on points earned. To learn more and sign-up, click here.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
Bike trip to Grove Fest, 3-6p
The Office of Sustainability and Outing Club are co-sponsoring the ride. Participants will leave from Brookings Hall on the Danforth campus. Helmets are required! To register, click here.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 / TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Free bike tune-ups by Big Shark Bicycle Company, 11a-2p
North Side of Danforth University Center (in partnership with the Parking & Transportation Department)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4 / THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
Free bike tune-ups by Big Shark Bicycle Company, 11a-2p
Hope Plaza, School of Medicine (in partnership with the School of Medicine’s Transportation Services)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
Coffee for Commuters, 8-9:30a
Danforth University Center, Room 234
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Active Transportation Challenge Awards Ceremony, 11:30a-1p
Danforth University Center, Room 239
Don’t forget: Pairing up your activities with the WashU Moves Challenge will also set you on your way to healthy and sustainable habits!