#BCounted by local artist on the Iron Horse Trail during Commuter Challenge

Waterloo Region – Two governments, a high-tech company and an artist are working together on a unique collaboration designed to inspire active transportation during this year’s Commuter Challenge.  

The Region of Waterloo, the City of Waterloo, Kitchener-based Miovision Technologies Inc. and local artist Jamie Quinn are working together on a project called #BCounted. Miovision will use its innovative video data collection technology to count the number of cyclists and pedestrians using the Iron Horse Trail at the Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. June 4 to 8. Quinn will track the results and then literally draw them for the public to see on a giant chalk graph right on the trail at the corner of Erb and Caroline Streets.  

"We wanted to find a visual way to promote walking and cycling as a way of getting around. I'm hoping this will spotlight what a vibrant, active community we live in," said Uptown Waterloo Councillor Melissa Durrell. "This may even inspire some to walk or bike to work and be counted during Commuter Challenge."

 Active commuters can #BCounted all week by cycling or walking to school or work using the trail, and are encouraged to track the progress of the graph as they pass by each day. Results will also be available on twitter via #BCounted or on Miovision’s blog, Street Sense, at www.miovision.com/blog/.  

Commuter Challenge is an annual week-long nationwide event hosted locally by the Region of Waterloo to encourage commuters to adopt sustainable travel habits by trying out cycling, walking, transit, carpooling or anything else that doesn’t involve driving alone. Get more information by checking out the Region of Waterloo’s page at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/commuterchallenge, or register yourself or your workplace on the national site at www.commuterchallenge.ca.

 -30-

For more information on Commuter Challenge and #BCounted, please contact John Hill, TDM Planner at the Region of Waterloo at 519-575-4019 or jhill@regionofwaterloo.ca