Each May, the changing seasons inspire a change in routine. Annually since 2004, hundreds of people in the City of Peterborough shake off their winter coat and mittens, grab their walking shoes or bike helmet, and make the shift to active and sustainable transportation choices during the Shifting Gears transportation challenge.
Fifteen years ago, Shifting Gears began as a workplace challenge with the goal of reducing traffic congestion and the environmental impact of driving. Employees were encouraged to track their sustainable trips to and from work using paper tracking forms. The employee’s trips were then pooled together in an effort to beat out other workplaces to win Travel Wise Awards.
Since then, Shifting Gears has moved to an online tracking system, where participants can see how they are fairing against other companies, and access tips and resources for making the shift easier. Each year the competition is fierce, with over 80 local companies now competing in micro, small, medium, and large workplace categories, and individuals competing with each other for awesome Shifting Gears prizes.
Four years ago, Shifting Gears expanded to become a community-wide challenge. With this new format, workplaces continue to play as before, but now community members and high schools can play too. The new format also allows you to track ALL your sustainable trips: trips to work, school, shopping, appointments, and even to soccer practice.
Last year, over 850 participants logged over 31,000 trips in the month of May, essentially walking, biking, busing, and carpooling around the world almost two times for a total of 73,029 kilometres.
Registration for the 2018 challenge has just opened up online and we have a few weeks before the trip tracking begins. We know it can be challenging to shake up routines.
If you’ve been driving all winter, your morning activities likely run on auto-pilot; you know when you have to leave to arrive on-time, which route will be the fastest, where you’ll park, and how you’re going to keep your coffee warm throughout. If you have school-aged children, you’re likely also familiar with exactly how quickly you can get to the bus stop or school yard.
Whether you are planning to shift from driving to walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling or teleworking, these new transportation choices will probably require some new routines. So we’ve asked expert shifters to provide some tips on how you can prepare this April to ensure a successful shift this May.
We know that, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” So how can you prepare yourself for your new routine?
If you are planning to make the shift to transit
Get familiar with the Peterborough Transit schedule and map, including the new Community Bus. You can pick up a map at the Downtown Terminal or find the information online at www.peterborough.ca.
Did you know that four routes, Lansdowne, Monaghan, Collison, and Chemong now run every 20 minutes during morning and afternoon commuter times (6:40 to 8:40 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.)?
Also, the Trent and Fleming Express routes run more often than regular routes and everyone can take them, not just students, so look at these routes to see if it makes sense to use one of them.
Time how long it takes to get to your closest bus stop on both ends of your journey. Follow Peterborough Transit on Twitter @PeterboroughTr1 for updates on changes or delays.
If you’re planning to take transit, or to walk to your destination, why not set yourself up with some new podcasts and playlists to listen to along your commute?
If you are planning to make the shift to biking or walking
Plan a route using the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Cycling and Trails Map, and give it a test ride beforehand. Contact the Shifting Gears Team for some extra advice on best routes.
Consider dividing up your trip into chunks. For example, if you travel into the city for work and errands, park the car and make the second part of your journey by bike or foot.
Find clothes that work for your journey. Some people choose to ride in everyday wear, while others with lengthier or hillier routes may choose special clothing and have a plan for a quick change when they reach their destination.
Make a plan for rainy weather. Consider keeping an umbrella at work as well as at home, or toss a small one in your bag in case of unexpected rain.
Can you set yourself up with rainy day bike clothes? Some emergency splash pants will keep you dry and comfortable during a wet commute and they pack up quite small to easily tuck into your work bag. Consider investing in a bike rack with a basket or panniers to make carrying things much easier.
Get your bike tuned-up at a local shop, or do it yourself at B!KE: the Community Bike Shop. Dig out your bike lock and helmet ahead of time and have them ready to go.
Feeling inspired to get your workplace or high school involved in competing in the Shifting Gears challenge?
It can be helpful to find a Shifting Gears champion (e.g., wellness committee, green team, or student council) to encourage your team to register, shift, and log trips during the month of May.
Whether you join as an individual or a team, you can sign up for promotions, incentives, and services offered by the Shifting Gears Team. We can help you host an event or workshop to help your team get prepared and pumped for their spring routine shake up.
We hope to support you in a successful shift to active and sustainable transportation this spring, so register today at peterboroughmoves.com/programs/shifting-gears/.
For more information on how to participate in the Shifting Gears challenge, or for some one-to-one assistance with setting up that new routine, please get in touch with Shifting Gears Coordinator Lindsay Stroud at lindsay.stroud@greenup.on.ca or 705-745-3238 x209.
