COMMUTE ONTARIO
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Spring weather and riding bikes – two things that are sure to put a smile on your face! Commute Ontario is adding one more reason to feel good about getting outdoors this spring - Bike Month Ontario is taking place all June long! This fun, free campaign is designed to encourage Ontarians to get out, get cycling and track their cycling trips (go ahead – brag a little!) by logging them on the online Active Switch tool. At the end of the month, SustainMobility (the non-profit that developed the Commute Ontario program) will give away a $500 Sport Chek gift card to one lucky participant – could it be you?
Transportation is a leading cause of harmful greenhouse gas emissions (GHG’s) in Ontario, but the good news is that cycling is a great way to combat your carbon footprint as well as improve your overall fitness. Whether commuting, running errands, or cycling for fun, participating in Bike Month Ontario is easy! Log into or register a free account on the online Active Switch tool and log your cycling trips. For every trip you log between June 1 – 30, 2019, you will automatically receive a prize draw entry for your chance to win a $500 Sport Chek gift card. There is no limit to the number of prize draw entries a participant can earn, so cycle and log often!
“Simply put we want to see more Ontarians cycling, walking, carpooling and taking transit rather than driving alone. Commute Ontario fits so well with initiatives that a lot of organizations already have in place. Many municipalities have cycling master plans and additionally we’re seeing a growing trend of workplaces and campuses encouraging people to cycle.” - Glenn Gumulka, Executive Director, SustainMobility
Commute Ontario is a turn-key program complete with tools, campaigns and more, which promote active and sustainable transportation. In 2018, SustainMobility was the recipient of a three-year “Grow” grant of $710,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), making it possible to offer Commute Ontario’s proven programs such as Active Switch completely free-of-charge to municipalities, residents, workplaces and post-secondary institutions across the province.
Commute Ontario has set a three-year goal of reducing 4-million Kg of GHG’s as well as 20-million vehicle kilometres travelled province-wide with the help and commitment of Ontario’s municipalities, residents, workplaces and campuses alike. To date, 12 municipalities and over 52 workplaces and post-secondary institutions have signed-up with Commute Ontario. Here’s what some of Commute Ontario’s partners are saying about the program so far:
“The City of Brantford is proud to take part in the Commute Ontario program and looks forward to demonstrating how we can alter our commuting habits to help reduce negative impacts on the environment.” – Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis
“Peterborough Public Health is happy to partner with Commute Ontario to support employees in choosing sustainable and active transportation options. Local data shows that 40% of people are inactive, so incorporating active transportation into our daily lives is a great way to increase physical activity which then reduces the risk of chronic diseases.” – Kate Dunford, Public Health Nurse, Family and Community Health Programs
“Joining SustainMobility’s Commute Ontario program is a huge opportunity for the City of Thunder Bay. It complements programs that we currently partake in such as the Commuter Challenge and Safe Cycling Thunder Bay, but takes it to a new level,” – Adam Krupper, Mobility Coordinator, City of Thunder Bay
“We are excited about joining forces with Commute Ontario to do our part in working towards a healthier population and reduced vehicle emissions in Dufferin County.” – Karisa Downey, Economic Development Officer at Dufferin County
“I love the tagline for the program 'make commute time your time'. It says it all. When I walk and bike, that is outdoor time for me. We are gearing up for an enthusiastic uptake of these programs by workplaces and community members in Peterborough.” – Susan Sauvé, Transportation Demand Management Planner, City of Peterborough
Visit the Commute Ontario website to learn how your community, workplace or campus can become involved with this free, sustainable transportation program today.
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded more than $120 million to some 700 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario. www.otf.ca
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