Since 1991, Move Minneapolis Transportation Management Organization (TMO) has been advocating for a sustainable transit and transportation system that supports a growing and vital downtown Minneapolis.    
The TMO promotes sustainable transportation – mass transit, carpooling, car-sharing, biking and walking – through an outreach and education program that targets downtown workers, residents, and visitors. 
Downtown Employers: Be the "Best Workplace for Car-Free Commuters"

Employer Guide to World Car-Free Day

Downtown Minneapolis celebrates World Car-Free Day on Friday, September 21, when commuters will bike or walk to work, use transit, telework, or carpool, many for the first time. The day will be highlighted by a mid-day multi-modal festival on Nicollet Mall between 6th & 7th Street.


Close to 60 percent of Minneapolis commuters drive alone to work. Many would prefer to use other modes, and Car-Free Day demonstrates money-saving, fast, low-pollution, social, and healthy ways to commute. Better, less-stressful commuting options promote employee productivity and retention.


Downtown Minneapolis employers 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 21. Move Minneapolis, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable commuting downtown, offers employer kits with World Car-Free Day contest materials plus free commuter consulting and support for participating employers.


World Car-Free Day aims 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. Minneapolis joined in 2016 with a city-wide resolution observing World Car-Free Day. 
Here's How Your Company Can Participate
Aim to win a trophy, no matter what your company size.  Winners are determined by the number of employees who do not drive alone to work on Friday, Sept. 21 as a percentage of their overall downtown Minneapolis workforce.

Request an employer kit.  Move Minneapolis will deliver brochures, swag, stickers, and an easy online reporting link for tallying employees who do not drive alone to work on September 21st. Contact Liz Dailey for a kit: Liz@moveminneapolis.org  

Ask for a commuter presentation.  Let Move Minneapolis bring our commuting show to you with an information table in your lobby or a tailored presentation to your workforce. Want to know how to bicycle commute? Wonder where the buses stop? Thinking about adding pre-tax transit passes to your HR benefits package? We can help you. Contact Liz Dailey:  liz@moveminneapolis.org  or phone 612-466-7322.

Reassure your workforce.  Trying a new transportation method can be intimidating. Let your employees know that it’s OK if they get to work a little early or late or look a little more business casual than usual the first time they ride a bike to work. Be flexible!

Inspire transportation camaraderie.  Encourage your company’s seasoned transit riders to be bus buddies for a day (we'll provide bus passes!). Use a ride-matching app to set up new carpools among employees who live near one another. Don’t forget: Carpoolers park for as little as $20 per month at the skyway-and-transit-connected downtown ABC Ramps.

Build excitement.  Use your company’s communications platforms to set the stage for fun and encourage participation. Post “celebrity” employee commuter photos and profiles in advance. Move Minneapolis would love to promote your company in social media!

Report your results.  On September 21, commuters can check-in , get swag, provide donuts or treats and remind commuters to report their commute online. We’ll tally the results and announce the employer winners!

Employees Can Win A Bike! Commuters who share their  World Car-Free Day  commuting story are entered in a drawing to win a Bianchi Venezia bike from downtown’s  One on One Bicycle Studio , OR a Dutch Gazelle city bike ! Share your story online at  www.moveminneapolis.org , or at Move Minneapolis, 505 Nicollet Mall during regular business hours.

Celebrate! All participants are welcome to join Move Minneapolis and friends on Nicollet Mall between 6th Street and 7th Street for transportation-related fun and treats from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday September 21. Celebrate with our transportation partners, get free bike tune-ups, food and music.

THANK YOU  for promoting sustainable commuting options to your workforce!

Liz, Mary, John and Gerry

World Car-Free Day 2017

Award winners:
Amazon,
CenterPoint Energy,
When I Work, and
Minnesota Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra - World Car-Free Day
Move Minneapolis is made possible by a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant in partnership with the United States Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, the City of Minneapolis and the Downtown community.