Waterloo Region commuters tops in Ontario!

(Waterloo Region) – Commuters in Waterloo Region propelled Waterloo Region to the top spot in Ontario – and second in Canada behind only Winnipeg – by walking, cycling or taking Grand River Transit to work during the12th annual Commuter Challenge held nationwide June 5 to June 11, 2011.

Activities during the week like the Bike to Work Breakfast, 2-for-1 Transit Day, the Great Commuter Race and the Briefcase Boogie all encouraged participants to try a new way of getting around. A total of 68 workplaces and 2,796 individuals participated, nearly doubling the number of participants from 2010. Participants travelled 236,422 kilometres in sustainable and active ways, up from 94,911 kilometres in 2010, kept 33,650 kilograms of harmful greenhouse gases out of the air and collectively burned over two million calories.

“The Commuter Challenge is an important way of showing who we are, and our belief in sustainable community living came shining through again,” said Rob Horne, Commissioner of Planning, Housing and Community Services at the Region of Waterloo, who came up with the idea for the Brief Case Boogie to challenge his Regional colleagues. “All of the workplaces that participated, and the staff who coordinated their efforts, are to be commended for their exceptional commitment.”

New to Commuter Challenge this year was the partnership with Greening Sacred Spaces, which organized and promoted ‘Walk to Worship’ to show that active transportation can be a positive and active choice every day of the week. Ten places of worship and 447 individuals participated this year, with Waterloo Christian Reformed Church and Highland Baptist Church having the highest participation rates in the area.

The following winning workplaces achieved the highest participation rate in their categories:

-30- 

For more information, please contact:

John Hill, Principal Planner, Transportation Demand Management
519-575-4019,  jhill@regionofwaterloo.ca