COLUMBIA – A word of encouragement, a high five and the occasional cheer can go a long way — and bicyclists and walkers can add some free swag and a cup of coffee to that list this month.
GetAbout Columbia and PedNet Coalition hope those incentives will boost participation in Way To Go To Work month activities this September.
By offering guided bike tours, lunch seminars and a Way To Go card to get the community excited about bicycling and walking instead of driving.
A new event this year is the surprise kudos
program. Four times during the month GetAbout
Columbia and PedNet Coalition members will hand out coupons for a free cup of Kaldi’s coffee and high
fives to biking
and walking commuters.
“We want to attract people who haven’t been introduced yet to the nonmotorized initiative and use it as a daily reminder to incorporate active transportation into their everyday commute,” PedNet Program Coordinator Janet Godon said.
As it did in 2008, GetAbout is offering gifts to event participants. Giveaways include canvas messenger bags, bike-light kits, reflective armbands or pedometers.
The Way To Go pledge card asks the participant to commit to a certain number of times to walk or bike to work. Those cards can be turned in at the GetAbout offices, 101 N. Seventh St., until Oct. 16. They will be entered into a drawing for a high-end commuter bag.
“The card acts more as a daily reminder for people, where they can put it on their dresser, windshield or mirror and rethink how they make their daily trips, especially those less than two to three miles,” Godon said.