Clean Commute Week is an effort by the City of Durango to encourage a shift in the way our citizens think about transportation.Our goal is to promote the use of alternative modes of transportation to benefit people’s health, the health of our community and the environment.By promoting bicycling, walking, carpooling, and public transportation as environmentally responsible and practical options, we hope to excite people about the benefits of clean commuting and get them to take a break from their single occupancy vehicles.
We hope that through our events, people will learn that commuting cleanly can be easy, cost effective, and fun.
These people have made the choice to bike, walk, carpool, and ride public transportation.
They were nominated by their friends, family, and co-workers and we picked the nominations with the most votes.
We received so many nominations it was truly a challenge to narrow the list down to this.
Winners
Paul Wilbert
Paul has ridden his bike around town for years, encourages others to do the same, and stays involved in the planning processes regarding community bicycle events and infrastructure.
Donn Wince
Donn, and her husband Jeff, carpool everyday from Mancos.
Sherin Clarke
I know I’m lucky to be able to ride my bike to work every day. I live close enough that I can even manage the ride in heels! I do get some funny looks, but there’s no need to bring a change of shoes! For my husband and I, choosing the location of our home was part of a conscious decision to not have to depend on a vehicle. Not only is it a fun lifestyle to live, but it’s also a way that we can minimize our impact on the environment.
Nora Stafford
The main reason that I ride my bike or walk to work is that I care deeply about our environment. Riding my bike helps conserve vital resources and helps to preserve our beautiful community. I am a 1st grade teacher at Needham Elementary and wanted to model for my students that one person can really make a difference. I want them to enjoy the same world that I have grown up in. I have not driven to work in five years to help prove my point.
Another reason that I ride my bike to work is that I am on the Health Team at Needham Elementary. The 9-R Health Team’s goal is to promote healthy lifestyles, Last year,
Lastly, I choose to ride my bike to work, (rain or snow) because it makes me feel vibrant! I am confident that I am a more productive and happy employee. I am ready for work when I get there!! I take the time in the morning and at the end of the day to enjoy the varied wildlife along the river and also frequently stop to appreciate the beautiful community that we are privileged to live in.
Guy Walton
Guy is on the bus daily. He makes sure his appointments and work are done in time to catch the bus.
Honorable Mentions
Charles Owens
Relatively new to down town, Charles has commuted to work via the trolley nearly every day.
Miriam C Gillow-Wiles
Miriam commutes to and from Ignacio at least 3 days a week, does not own a car and uses public transportation when she can't ride her bike.
Drew Bourey
Drew has ridden his bike to work nearly every day for years and is committed to making roads safer for all bicyclists.
Paula Liermann
I have worked for the City of Durango for 12 years. Though I own a vehicle, the City is small enough that I don’t drive it all that often. I live on the west side of Durango and really enjoy walking to work over the suspension bridge, which I will do in all types of weather. I am a diabetic and need to exercise to better manage the disease so I make a point of getting in a little extra exercise on the way here to City Hall and back home.
I am strongly in favor of lessening my carbon footprint on our society so I try not to use plastic bottles, recycle as much as possible, carry bags to the grocery store and commute in a clean fashion (primarily by walking) though I also will ride my bicycle.
Annie is a competitive cyclist, DEVO coach, and a student. She gets around by bike and just made the choice to give up her automobile.
Scott Halsband
Scott rides his son to day care 5 days a week and leaves his car in the driveway 95% of his trips.
Wade Moore
Wade commutes to work on his bike nearly every day and helps others make the shift to alternative forms of transportation.
Sam Creacy
I am a longtime Durango resident and work in downtown Durango. I enjoy riding my bike to work as well as for general transportation. I enjoy the simplicity, exercise and convenience. Walking offers an alternative to biking in adverse weather. I minimize the use of my car, save on gas and do not have to deal with parking limitations. And, a little fresh air never hurt anyone!
Sean Moore
While I wish everyone in our community was able to commute cleanly (or more cleanly) every day – I realize it is not feasible for everyone, for a variety of reasons. So I never preach to anyone about how they choose to transport themselves around the community. That said, soon after I committed to cycling to work every day I could – I developed an alternative commuter program at my company in an effort to encourage our employees to do so, whenever possible. The program awards points to our employees for walking, cycling, using public transportation and/or carpooling to work. Points are tallied at the end of the year and prizes are awarded at our work party in December. Details of our program can be found here: http://sme-env.com/company/news.html
Aubrey Prigge
In less than a year Aubrey went from bike-less to car-less and rides her bike spring, summer, winter, and fall.
Thank you to all of these amazing examples of Clean Commuters,
and thank you to those that took the time to nominate them.
It is fantastic to see so many people commited to biking, walking, carpooling, and riding public transportation!
The City of Durango would like to tell you what we have done to improve commuting safety.
We would also love to hear what you think works and what we could improve upon.
Let's get together and discuss what makes commuting around town great and what could be better.
Free Beer from Carver Brewing and SKA Brewing!
Wednesday, June 22 (5:30pm -7:30pm)
D&SNGRR Train Museum
Please RSVP if you are planning on attending.
An in-town errand run that pits bike riders vs solo drivers vs carpoolers vs fast walkers.
The results are in!
1st Place with a time of 11min: Jason Meininger on a bicycle
2nd Place with a time of 11min30sec: Greg Dodd on a bicycle
3rd Place with time of 17min: Ron Wysocki on a motorcycle
4th Place with time of 23min: Charles Morris in a car
Thank you valient participants!
Friday, June 24 (6am to 10am)
Stop by one of these breakfast stations during your morning commute
►Transit Center,
►Main Ave and 9th St,
►Mercy Regional Med Center
Enjoy a free snack and refreshments from local businesses.
T-shirts will be available on a first come first served basis.
Think your business or organization has the most clean commuters?
Get involved and prove it!
For more information on the Coroporate Commuter Challenge
email info@trails2000.org