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Leave the wheel and get into motion in May

ITD employees in the Treasure Valley have an opportunity to make an impact on the region’s livability, improve air quality and reduce the anxiety of daily commutes by participating in May in Motion. The annual event, presented by Commuteride and the Ada County Highway District, emphasizes the need for transportation alternatives.

“If your daily commute has you feeling stuck in a rut, you’re not alone,” according to a May in Motion announcement.

“The Treasure Valley is already the seventh-fastest growing metro area in the country and was recently ranked one of the worst areas of sprawl in the Northwest. The local population is expected to surge to nearly a million people by 2030.

“Help ensure the number of cars on the road doesn’t increase accordingly by breaking free from your routine commute during May in Motion.” The annual event is held in conjunction with National Transportation Month.

Commuteride provides a commuter log to mark the days in May that individuals use alternative transportation to get to and from work. The log should be submitted by June 3 to be eligible for one of many May in Motion prizes.

While individuals only need to take a transportation alternative once in the month of May to qualify for the general drawing, commuters who take an alternative means of transportation to work 10 or more days in May will qualify for special prizes.

Contest rules and additional information are available on the May in Motion Web site, www.commuteride.com or by calling 345-7665.

“It’s hard to believe but it is already time for ITD to defend our first place May in Motion championship,” said Tammie Jauregui, of Human Resource Services. She coordinates the alternative transportation efforts at Headquarters.

“Set Yourself in Motion is part of the month-long promotion,” Jauregui says. “It encourages all those who commute to work to take a month off. That’s right... take a month off from having to drive to work. It’s your opportunity to explore other transportation alternatives.

By walking, biking, van-pooling, taking the bus or carpooling you’ll cut down on traffic congestion and air pollution.

Fun events include a “feet week” commuter rally, the ValleyRide bus Random Rider Rewards program, the Downtown Boise Pool Party and a corporate challenge. “There’s plenty of opportunity to find out the best way for you to leave your car at home and get to work by bike, bus, vanpool or just walking.”

Participation forms are available in Human Resources, Room 100 at Headquarters, or by e-mail from Jauregui. Completed contest forms are due in her office by Friday, June 3. Prizes sponsors include Floating Feather Day Spa, the Ashley Inn in Cascade, the YMCA, Bandanna Running and Walking and others.

”Enjoy many of the fun activities this month and join in helping ITD to keep our corporate challenge crown,” she says.

Treasure Valley May in Motion events

May 2: Commuters' Bike Rally: Boise Mayor Dave Bieter gets May in Motion started. 7:30 to 9 a.m., 8th Street between Idaho and Bannock in downtown Boise.

May 6, 13, 20, 27: Free Fare Fridays: Ride any ValleyRide bus free.

May 9-13: Random Rider Rewards: Prizes and surprises on Treasure Valley ValleyRide buses between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and 4 p..m. and 6 p.m.

May 10: Pool Party: Canyon County employees are invited to join Commuteride and ValleyRide to learn more about alternative transportation. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Canyon County Courthouse, 1115 Albany, Caldwell.

May 17: Pool Party: Everyone is invited to join Commuteride and ValleyRide to learn more about alternative transportation. Food, drink and prizes. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 8th Street between Idaho and Bannock in downtown Boise.

May 17, 18, 19: Commuter Stops: Commuteride will visit local park-and-ride parking lots giving away free juice and doughnuts in support of commuters who choose an alternative form of transportation.