Group Health Commute Challenge
Sample Letter for Challengers

Below is an example of a challenge letter designed to convince another business that they should step up to the plate and meet your challenge. This is great way to quickly get a letter together if you don't have time to make one up on your own. Feel free to make changes.

We suggest you challenge a rival business, the business next door, or the business of a friend or acquaintance. You may want to extend a nice offer to the business, school or agency you're challenging, such as some pastries or bagels and cream cheese, or you could agree on a prize for the business that gets the highest percentage of participation for the Challenge. Check out the prize categories listed in the website for ideas.

We can help you if you don't have a contact person at the business you would like to challenge. Call (206-517-4826) or e-mail [email protected] and we'll do the leg work for you.

Date: _____________

Dear__________________,

Our business, ____________________, is challenging your business, _______________, to compete in the Group Health Commute Challenge starting on May 1. (and we're going to win!)

The Commute Challenge is a great way to get in shape, promote clean air and get to work by bicycle and win great prizes!

WHEN: May 1 - 31, do it all month or just for a day on Bike To Work Day Friday May 19 , 6 - 9 am! We will compete against other businesses, agencies and schools all month long. We'll have an opportunity to win great prizes, gain business recognition, and tremendous prestige on the Challenge Website, with results listed each week during the month! Get team of four together and Cascade Bicycle Club will even give each team leader a free shirt!

WHAT/WHERE: bike, from home to work and home again, in the morning, in the evening, weekends. . . .at least five times during May 1 - 31 time period.

WHO: Smart sophisticates, smart people who like to save money, smart down-to-earth types, smart people who like to win, smart people who like a challenge, smart people who need lots of encouragement to try something new...(oh yeah, we're going to win).

WHY: Here's a good reason, It's fun!

Here's a couple more reasons:

• Typical auto owners work 1 day per week to cover driving expenses (including repairs, insurance, car payments, parking fees, and gasoline).
• Auto emissions are responsible for over half of Seattle's air pollution (driving 25 miles creates approximately 1 pound of air pollution).

Are you up to the challenge? We're hoping you are. (We're going to win.) Don't forget to SIGN UP! Call 206-517-4826 or visit the Commute Challenge website.

In fun and fairness,

YOUR NAME HERE!

End of letter.

Need Help with Your Employer?

The biggest reason many workers do not commute by bicycle is the lack of support and services they receive from their employer. For help with ideas and help with convincing your employer to help with setting up the necessary infrastructure needed to promote cycling please email Advocacy Director David Hiller. We have some template emails that might help you PROMOTE WRQ Bike to Work Day at your jobsite and other useful support tools.

Want specific commute information? Cascade Bicycle Club has a wonderful Commuter message board just for you! Got a challenge you want to make? Post it here and find another suitable business to take it up! It's all in good fun so give it your best shot. Looking for team mates to form a 4 person team in your Company? Leave a message here too. Also a great forum to getting safe and quickest-way-there route information!

If you are new to bicycle commuting, please visit our resources page for great tips on getting started.

For more detailed information about the Group Health Commute Challenge, click here.