Challenge puts transportation to the test

A pedestrian, a cyclist, a carpooler and a transit user.

The four lined up at Tom Davies Square, each ready to begin their trek to the lobby of Health Sciences North. Who would get there first? Who would spend the most money? Who would burn the most calories? Who would enjoy the trip most?

As part of National Commuter Challenge Week, Rainbow Routes hosted the friendly competition to encourage Sudburians to explore alternative modes of transportation.

Janet Evans, Sudbury Cycles project co-ordinator at Rainbow Routes, said the challenge is all about promoting sustainable methods of travel. A regular cyclist and walker, Evans was playing the role of transit user for the challenge.

She said the route was designed to replicate something that would happen in real life — a person working downtown having to attend an appointment at the hospital during the work day. Evans said the project is meant to make people stop and think about the best way of getting where they are going.

“You can take different modes of transportation,” she said.

For Leslie King, biking to work is as natural as breathing.

“I have to get to work somehow,” she said. “I might as well have fun, get in fitness time, save money and do something good for my health.”

It doesn't hurt that she pedals by two beautiful lakes during her 35-minute ride to work in the morning and in the afternoon, taking in fresh air to start and end her day on a high note.

She's been cycling to work for so long, it has just become habit. King even uses it for other tasks, like grocery shopping, running errands and getting to and from appointments.

While it's a practical way to get from Point A to Point B, King admitted she often ends up on her bike simply because it's more enjoyable.

“Adults don't play that much in an organized way,” she said. Her bike gives her “freedom to do something fun.”

For the sake of the Commuter Challenge, King walked from Tom Davies Square to Health Sciences North. While Evans was on the bus, Ursula Sauve was in a car and Russ Hanson was on a bike.

The group collectively agreed that Hanson would likely have the “best” ride there — fast, inexpensive, physically productive and enjoyable.

The four competing in the challenge aren't the only ones who've been trading in their cars. Thirty local workplaces have signed up to take part in the challenge.

As of June 5 at 11 a.m., 31 of Science North's 150 employees had registered for the challenge. Together, they saved driving 1,421 kilometres. Greater Sudbury as a whole has already saved 3,454 car kilometres, with the challenge only half-complete.

Those interested in participating still have time to visit commuterchallenge.ca to register for the fun competition.