May 17, 2016

In recognition of National Bike Month, the Rhode Island Public RIPTA (RIPTA) is launching its first “Rhode Island Bike to Work Challenge”, from May 20 through June 30, 2016.  This fun, free online trip-tracking competition encourages commuters to bike to work as much as possible. There will be prizes for participants throughout the Challenge including a grand prize new bicycle from NBX Bikes. 

The Challenge is a fun and engaging way to encourage commuters to use alternatives instead of driving alone to work. Choosing to ride a bicycle to work offers many benefits including: saving money, improving health, helping mitigate traffic congestion and reducing harmful automobile emissions.

“As a public transit agency, we are committed to multiple modes of travel that help reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on our roads, so we are excited about this challenge,” said Raymond Studley, CEO of the transit authority.  “Also, RIPTA helps many bicyclists with their commutes.  All of our fixed-route buses are equipped with bike racks, and a lot of riders use us for the first or last miles of their trips.” 

The Challenge is open to cyclists of all levels, free to all entrants, and only requires that participants log onto RIPTA’s partner commuter rewards website, NuRide (www.nuride.com) to create a free account and start logging their two-wheeled commutes.   The Challenge is being sponsored by RIPTA’s Commuter Resource RI Team, which works year round to educate the public about riding RIPTA and other modes of public transportation while also supporting alternatives such as carpools, vanpools, and biking.  The Challenge is also made possible by community sponsors including NBX, Whole Foods, Cleverhood extreme poncho designers, Devine City Cycle and Newport Bicycle.

“We’re very grateful to have these great local sponsors who are contributing prizes for our participants, “said Barbara Polichetti, RIPTA’s Director of Public Affairs.  “And we really want to stress that it’s not about riding the most miles — it’s about giving bike commuting a try and having some fun in the process.”

For more information and full contest details, please visit ripta.com.