Downtown Minneapolis commuters will celebrate World Car-Free Day on Friday, September 22 by leaving their vehicles at home. Instead of driving alone, participants will switch travel modes and commute via transit or by biking, walking, or teleworking. Carpoolers can also take part by reducing one or more cars from the day’s traffic count.
Downtown Minneapolis employers will vie for trophies and the title “Best Workplace for Car-Free Commuters” based on the percentage of their downtown workforce that commutes car-free on September 22. Move Minneapolis, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable commuting downtown, offers employer kits with World Car-Free Day contest materials plus custom commuter training and support for participating employers.
The goal of World Car-Free Day is to create awareness and educate commuters about alternatives to driving alone. Launched in Spain in 1996, World Car-Free Day is observed in 1,500 cities and more than 40 countries.
On September 20, Mayor Betsy Hodges and the City Council will hear a resolution declaring September 22 World Car-Free Day in the City of Minneapolis.
Commuters who take a
World Car-Free Day
pledge can be entered in a drawing to win a Bianchi bike from
One on One Bicycle Studio
or a Minneapolis Staycation package featuring a night at Aloft Minneapolis, dinner at Fogo De Chao, tickets to Orchestra Hall and an annual HOURCAR membership. Two winners will receive 4-month unlimited Go To transit passes to support their new transportation habits.
Individual commuter pledges for World Car-Free Day can be made at participating workplaces, online at
www.moveminneapolis.org
, in the ABC Ramps lobbies on September 18, 19, and 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., or at Move Minneapolis, 505 Nicollet Mall during regular business hours.
Here’s how your downtown Minneapolis company can participate in World Car-Free Day
Aim to win, no matter what your company size.
Winners are determined by the number of employees who do not drive alone to work on September 22 as a percentage of their overall downtown workforce.
Request an employer kit.
Move Minneapolis will deliver brochures, swag, and sign-in sheets you can use to report the number of your downtown employees who do not drive alone to work on September 22. For a kit:
bill@moveminneapolis.org
Ask for a commuter presentation.
Let Move Minneapolis bring our transit and commuting show to your road! We can staff an information table in your employee lunchroom, in your lobby or skyway entrance, or in a conference room. We can tailor a live presentation to your workforce. Want to know how to bicycle commute? Wonder where the buses stop? Thinking about adding transit passes to your HR benefits package? We can help—and not just this month. Contact:
mary@moveminneapolis.org
- 612-466-7324.
Reassure your workforce that it’s OK to experiment on September 22.
Trying a new transportation method for the first time can be intimidating. Let your employees know that it’s OK if they get to work a little early or late, or if they look a little more business casual than usual the first time they ride a bike to work. Be flexible and create a fun environment.
Encourage transportation camaraderie.
Choosing a new commute with a friend is a lot easier than going it alone. See if you can match drivers with seasoned sustainable commuters. Or use a ride-matching app to set up some new carpools among employees who live near one another. And BTW, did you know that carpoolers park for just $20 per month per car at the downtown ABC Ramps?
Tell your employees how to participate.
Use your company’s communications platforms to encourage participation. Share our website URL freely:
www.moveminneapolis.org
. Send us photos. Let us know your company is on board and we’ll promote you on our website and in social media!
Report your results.
On September 22, have every participant sign in using the attached sheet. Drop off or email your forms back to Move Minneapolis. We’ll tally the results, determine how many Minneapolis commuters took part, and announce the employer winners!
Celebrate! All participants are welcome to join Move Minneapolis and friends on Nicollet Mall for transportation-related fun and treats from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday September 22 (watch for details on exact location).
THANK YOU
for promoting sustainable commuting options to your workforce!
Mary, John, Bill, and Gerry
