Peterborough’s Shifting Gears Challenge returns for the month of May

For the past 18 years, challenge has encouraged people to make the shift to more sustainable transportation choices

By kawarthaNOW -
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First launched in 2004, Shifting Gears is an annual challenge hosted by Peterborough GreenUP and partners that invites workplaces and individuals to track their emissions reductions by making sustainable commuting choices for the month of May. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
First launched in 2004, Shifting Gears is an annual challenge hosted by Peterborough GreenUP and partners that invites workplaces and individuals to track their emissions reductions by making sustainable commuting choices for the month of May. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)

Shifting Gears, an annual challenge that encourages people in the Peterborough area to make the shift to more sustainable transportation choices during May, is back for its 18th year.

Shifting Gears was originally launched in 2004 by Peterborough GreenUP, the City of Peterborough, and other partners as a month-long commuter challenge for workplaces, encouraging employees to walk, cycle, take transit, carpool, and work from home.

In 2015, the May challenge was expanded to encourage everyone in the community — employees, students, and more — to make the shift towards walking, biking, and taking transit for daily trips to work, school, the store, an appointment, and elsewhere.

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“Participating in Shifting Gears is a great way to get moving again,” says the City of Peterborough’s Sue Sauve, a long-time coordinator and participant in Shifting Gears. “It’s like having a free gym membership, plus added incentives and prizes.”

Shifting Gears partners include GreenUP, the City of Peterborough including Peterborough Transit, the County of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health, B!KE: the Community Bike Shop, Wild Rock Outfitters, and more.

By registering for the Shifting Gears Challenge at greenup.on.ca/shifting-gears/, participants can track their sustainable transportation choices during May, racking up points and winning prizes.

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Brianna Salmon of GreenUP, Kieran Andrews of Wild Rock Outfitters, and Sue Sauve of the City of Peterborough during the kick-off of the 2014 Shifting Gears Challenge. Until 2015, when it was expanded to the entire community, Shifting Gears was a workplace challenge. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Brianna Salmon of GreenUP, Kieran Andrews of Wild Rock Outfitters, and Sue Sauve of the City of Peterborough during the kick-off of the 2014 Shifting Gears Challenge. Until 2015, when it was expanded to the entire community, Shifting Gears was a workplace challenge. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)

In addition, participants get access to exclusive bike maintenance workshops, group rides, and the Rack ‘n’ Roll program at B!KE, which provides cycling gear and riding tips.

“We recognize that commuter trips are often rolled in with other activities,” explains B!KE volunteer coordinator Jean Grieg. “You might need to grocery shop on your way home from work, or drop off your children at school. Rack ‘n’ Roll seeks to help make these essential, real-life bike trips more comfortable and more efficient. The ease of travel will help make every-day cycling more of a no-brainer.”

People can join the challenge at greenup.on.ca/shifting-gears/ as individuals or sign up alongside co-workers as a workplace team for added support and motivation.

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