Car Free Day Corporate Challenge will determine ‘most environmentally responsible’ local orgs
To mark International Car Free Day this year, Central Indiana residents working from home, as well as those commuting to work by carpool, vanpool, bike, bus and walking, are encouraged to take the online pledge to be car free or car lite on Wednesday, Sept. 22.
Car Free Day celebrations featuring music, free breakfast and lunch will take place on Midtown Plaza in Carmel this year, in addition to Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. COVID precautions will be in place for those outside gatherings. Also new to the generally annual event, Bike Indianapolis and Bike Carmel have declared Sept. 22 to be Bike to Work Day and will participate in the festivities at both locations.
“We all saw how fewer commutes literally cleared the air last year, so we’re hoping that this year’s Car Free Day will be our best yet,” said Jennifer Gebhard, assistant director of the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority’s Commuter Connect, which organizes the event locally. “Car Free Day isn’t just for commuters; it’s for anyone who refrains from a greenhouse gas-fired transportation mode can take part. We’re hoping those who work from home will take the pledge and do errands or after-work activities in a car-free or car-lite kind of way.”
Companies and organizations can participate too, Gebhard pointed out.
The Car Free Day Corporate Challenge rewards organizations with the largest number of employees who take the pledge and the organization with the highest percentage of its employees who take the pledge. Prizes will include a coffee party, which could be virtual for remote employees; a physical award; bragging rights and more.
Companies already signed up early to compete for the corporate challenge are UKG, OneCause, Launch Indy, DemandJump and OnBoard. Event organizers anticipate another year of lively competition.
“It’s been a challenging year, and indications are that’s going to continue for a while,” Gebhard said. “We’re hoping this event brings a bit of fun and encourages Hoosiers to consider sustainability with all their transportation activities.”
In 2019, Rolls-Royce had the most employees participate, and Zylo had the highest percentage of its employees participate. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
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About Commuter Connect
Commuter Connect is a federally funded service designed to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. There is no charge for employers or employees to use Commuter Connect’s services. To learn more, visit www.CommuterConnect.us. Take the pledge here.
Social Media Hashtag #CarFreeDayIN
Media Contact: Jen Thomas, 317-441-2487, jen@jtprinc.com