Join the challenge and prove that a little cold won’t slow your roll
(Chicago, Jan. 18, 2016) – Today the Active Transportation Alliance opened registration for its second annual Winter Bike Challenge, which will be held January 22 through January 29. Participants in the challenge will track their trips to earn bragging rights for the most miles biked during a frigid week that follows the anniversary of Chicago’s coldest day ever on January 20, 1985. Last year, hundreds of cyclists participated in the Challenge.
Challenge participants will receive information and tips on staying safe and warm while biking through the winter (which includes not biking at all when road and/or weather conditions are unsafe). New to this year’s challenge, riders can compete with one another to see who can bike the most miles and track their trips in real-time using a special app! Register for the Challenge and get the app at www.activetrans.org/winterbike
Cycling is on the rise in Chicago, and winter biking is now common. Data from the U.S. Census and City of Chicago bike counts indicates that more than 8,000 Chicagoans bike commute in the winter, with many more biking to transit, school, the grocery store and other destinations.
Active Transportation Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes better biking, walking and transit, is hosting the Winter Bike Challenge to recognize these winter warriors and raise money to continue the fight to make our streets safer for everyone who uses them.
Winter Bike Challenge participants who raise money to support Active Trans will be eligible for prizes, including complimentary entries into MB Bike the Drive, thermal biking gloves and a fat tire bike provided by Kozy’s Cyclery! The participant with the most tracked miles will win the title of King or Queen of the 2016 Winter Bike Challenge and be featured on the Active Trans blog and social media pages.
As part of the challenge, January 22 is designated Winter Bike to Work Day. There will be a rally at Daley Plaza on that day, 6:30 – 9 a.m. Mingle with Winter Bike Challenge participants, other winter cyclists and Active Trans members while you enjoy free Dark Matter coffee, and giveaways from Clif Bar, New Belgium Brewery and Eli’s Cheesecake.
General winter biking photos and Winter Bike to Work Day photos available upon request.
The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe and convenient that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is supported by more than 7,000 members and 1,000 volunteers.
For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.
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