May 02, 2017
City Manager Dan Fitzpatrick is pleased to announce that several city employees are participating in the Commute Smart B2B Challenge this month. Now in its fourth year, the free competition, which runs from May 131, is organized by CommuteSMART Seacoast --- a Transportation Management Association that works to promote alternative commuting options (walking, bicycling, carpooling, etc.) in Dover, Portsmouth and Rochester.
To participate, businesses and cities throughout the seacoast form teams and work toward changing their commuting habits. Teams also compete to win a number of titles, including most sustainable trips, most social media buzz, most team spirit, most improved team and most new smart commuters. Winners are entitled to bragging rights and awarded a plaque for their accomplishments. Each team that enters is also given a swag bag and a coffee gift card at the end of the competition.
“This challenge not only helps reduce participants’ carbon footprint, but it puts money in their pockets,” said Anne Rugg, Manager of CommuteSMART Seacoast. “It’s also a fun way to bond with colleagues, and gets people in the habit of using alternative commuting methods even after the competition is over.”
Teams can view their and the competition’s progress on the Leaderboard, which tracks trips logged and calculates cost savings.
Rochester’s team, led by cocaptains Karen Pollard, Economic Development Manager, and Government Channel Coordinator Celeste Plaia, encompasses members from a number of departments throughout the city, including police, finance and recreation.
“Our goal is to really increase a feeling of comradery among city employees,” Pollard said. “Even if we carpool or ride our bikes to work a few times a week, that’s beneficial to the environment.”
This is Rochester’s third year participating in the competition. Last year the team won a bronze Sustainable Commuting Champion Award for its efforts in improving sustainability throughout the city.
To participate, businesses and cities throughout the seacoast form teams and work toward changing their commuting habits. Teams also compete to win a number of titles, including most sustainable trips, most social media buzz, most team spirit, most improved team and most new smart commuters. Winners are entitled to bragging rights and awarded a plaque for their accomplishments. Each team that enters is also given a swag bag and a coffee gift card at the end of the competition.
“This challenge not only helps reduce participants’ carbon footprint, but it puts money in their pockets,” said Anne Rugg, Manager of CommuteSMART Seacoast. “It’s also a fun way to bond with colleagues, and gets people in the habit of using alternative commuting methods even after the competition is over.”
Teams can view their and the competition’s progress on the Leaderboard, which tracks trips logged and calculates cost savings.
Rochester’s team, led by cocaptains Karen Pollard, Economic Development Manager, and Government Channel Coordinator Celeste Plaia, encompasses members from a number of departments throughout the city, including police, finance and recreation.
“Our goal is to really increase a feeling of comradery among city employees,” Pollard said. “Even if we carpool or ride our bikes to work a few times a week, that’s beneficial to the environment.”
This is Rochester’s third year participating in the competition. Last year the team won a bronze Sustainable Commuting Champion Award for its efforts in improving sustainability throughout the city.
Contact:
Dan Fitzpatrick, City Manager
dan.fitzpatrick@rochesternh.net, (603) 332-1167
