Group Health Commute Challenge
Team Captain Tool Box

Thank you for participating in the Group Health Commute Challenge. When you talk to others about taking the Commute Challenge some will think it is an excellent idea. Some people will think you are truly mad. As long as you know that encouraging people to use sustainable transportation is important, you can consider yourself FULLY qualified to be a Team Captain.

The Team Captain Tool Box helps you recruit, motivate and inspire others to ride their bikes, and understand why you have selected this viable commuting mode.

To be a good captain, experience is not required; be creative and persistent. Plan on one fun group costume day, or special team only lunch, to reward yourselves for participating!

Large company-employees should try to get HR departments behind the plan. See our sample letters to forward. The Cascade Bicycle Club Advocacy Department is also ready to help; email them with questions regarding workplace challenges.

Track Your Miles

Don't have a bike computer?  Don't sweat it. Compute your mileage using Gmaps Pedometer. Team Captains: don't let your teams' miles go unrecorded -- spread the word to your teammates!

Manage Your Team

View your team statistics and team member information on your team's page.

All team riders (once registered) can enter their own ride details every day or week via the website. You can enter tallied amounts on the web site to see how you are doing against the other teams. Weekly tallies must be entered Friday through Wednesday.

Team Captains are responsible for verifying the entire team does this every Wednesday by 11:59 pm. Team results will be formulated as the data is entered and, once verified, winning teams will be selected for great prizes after the completion of the month. Remember, do NOT report any extra recreational (includes shopping or chores) mileage that you do in addition to your regular commute. Also, you can only report FIVE DAYS maximum per week.

Reporting Dates
Week 1: May 1 - 7
Week 2: May 8 - 14
Week 3: May 15 - 21
Week 4: May 22 - 28
Week 5: May 29 - 31

What are other Companies doing to promote the month-long Challenge?

Check out last year's "Captain of the Year" advice page.

One company in Oregon, Jeanne Lawson Associates, Inc. encourages more riders, acknowledges those who work the hardest and involves even the non-riders in success.

Step 1: Fresh ground coffee & tea each morning for all
Step 2: $2 towards lunch on any day an employee bikes
Step 3: Friday feast for dept IF more then half the staff does more than 1/2 their weekly trips by bike.
Step 4: Special awards at the end of the month for highest % of bike trips, biggest lifestyle change, largest total miles and more!

Other businesses offer cash prizes, extra vacation days and gift certificates to winners in various categories. Hosting a weekly lunch/light breakfast for all bike commuters makes a lot of sense- let's "get serious" about supporting bicycle commuting in our region. Get your employer to sponsor your team this year! They can purchase BTWM T-Shirts for every one who cycles on BTW Day. Print up an order form here.

Please visit our SAMPLE CHALLENGES LETTER page for ideas on challenging other businesses and how to get YOUR HR department behind the program!

Add to the Group Health Commute Challenge Tool Box

We would enjoy hearing from you. How are you informing people about the Challenge? How are you motivating commuters at work? Has your boss or HR Department done anything special to recognize or support your team? Share your ideas throughout the campaign by emailing [email protected] and we'll add them to the tool box.

Captain's toolbox originally developed by the University of Washington Transportation Office.

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.