The fifth annual Clean Commute Week will kick off today with free tune-ups by Velorution Cycles and the opportunity to register your bike with the Durango Police Department from 9 a.m. to noon at Durango Farmers Market.
“We are trying to do a big push for bike registrations this year,” said Amber Blake, Durango’s multi-modal administrator. “It seems that people don’t know they can register their bikes for free. They just need to show up with the bike.”
Registering a bike provides police with a description of the bike and a the serial number. The owner also receives a numbered sticker to put on the bike to help police identify it if it is stolen or recovered.
“Clean Commute Week encourages the community to try a sustainable mode of transportation, and, through the donations and sponsorships of local businesses downtown, we have provided incentive for people to make the extra effort,” Blake said. “The impacts of getting out of a single-occupant vehicle are far reaching.”
Monday will mark the start of the Clean Commute Challenges residents can participate in, Blake said.
These include the Way to Go! Club challenge and the pedometer challenge.
The Way to Go! Club is a point rewards program, similar to airline miles, that allows members to earn milestone gifts and points rewards for using sustainable transportation, she said.
The more participants choose not to drive alone, the more points they receive, Blake said. The challenge will end Thursday. Participants will be eligible to win a Quick 6 bicycle donated by Hassle Free sports at the Love Your Community party. To sign up for the challenge, visit the city’s multi-modal web page, at www.durangogov.org/index.aspx?NID=762.
To participate in the pedometer challenge, stop by the Transit Center, 250 W. Eighth St., and get a pedometer. Participants will log steps from Monday to noon Thursday. The challenge is open to all ages. Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place participants.
Carver Brewing Co. will host the bicycle fashion show and a forum about the community’s multi-modal infrastructure projects from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the brewery. Free beer and food will be provided.
Residents are encouraged to bike, walk, take the bus or carpool to and from work Wednesday for Clean Commute Day. Stations located at Steaming Bean Coffee Co. and Mercy Regional Medical Center will provide free breakfast for participants from 7 to 9 a.m.
On Thursday, cyclists will challenge vehicles to an errand-run at 4:30 p.m. in Buckley Park.
“At the event, we give the cyclist and the motorist a list of errands they need run around town,” Blake said.
Whoever runs the errands the fastest wins the competition, she said. Participants have to obey all traffic laws and cyclists have to wear a helmet. Anyone can participate in the challenge.
After the pedal vs. metal challenge, the community is invited to join city councilors and the city manager for a group bike ride down the Animas River Trail to Ska Brewing Co., where the third annual Love Your Commute party will be held. The group will leave at 5 p.m. from Buckley Park. Costumes are optional.
Free beer, live music and raffle prize drawings will be included at the party. Food is available for purchase.
The transit will be free for commuters through the week. Free transportation will end June 28.
tferraro@durangoherald.com
