FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Works Department - (573) 874-7250

October is Way To Go To Work month!

COLUMBIA, MO (October 1, 2010) - October is the perfect time to make a bike ride, a walk or a bus ride part of your daily commute! GetAbout Columbia’s Way To Go To Work month offers activities including Brown Bag Lunch seminars, a guided bike ride, Way To Go Card reminders, and opportunities to get free commuting gear.

Brown Bag Lunch seminars take place every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

Oct. 6 – Stephens College – Windsor Lounge, Stamper Commons
Oct. 13 – Columbia College – Lee Room, Dulany Dining Hall
Oct. 20 – City Hall – 3rd floor, Public Works Conference Room 3A
Oct. 27 – UMC College of Engineering – Lafferre Hall, Room W1004

Participants will receive active commuting advice about bike gear, riding skills, safety and what to take to work to freshen up. Staff will also help plan customized active commuting routes.

On Saturday, Oct. 16, the “Work the MKT!” guided bike ride will show participants how to use the MKT Trail and MU Recreation Trail to get to work. Starting at the Flat Branch Park gazebo, this ride will reveal time-saving routes, shortcuts and secret access points along these trails. This medium-paced, 15-mile guided ride lasts approximately two hours and ends at Flat Branch Park. Helmets are required.

While supplies last, Brown Bag Lunch Seminar and “Work the MKT!” guided ride participants will receive free commuting gear such as GetAbout Columbia bags, bike light sets and reflective leg/arm bands.

Whether it's walking or biking to work once or several times a week, set an active commuting goal for yourself and use a Way To Go Card as a reminder. Way to Go Cards can be downloaded at www.getaboutcolumbia.com or picked up from the ARC, City Hall, the Columbia Public Library or the Health Department. Participants can bring their cards to the Public Works Department, third floor of City Hall (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) by Nov. 5, and be registered to win a commuter bag – perfect for walking or biking! Cards can also be mailed to City of Columbia - Public Works, 701 E. Broadway, third floor, Columbia, Mo., 65201 by Nov. 5 for entry.

For information on the Way To Go To Work activities, please call (573) 268-8816. For information about the GetAbout Columbia project, call (573) 874-7250.
Way To Go To Work is a part of GetAbout Columbia, a communitywide project designed to encourage active modes of transportation—travel other than in cars. Funding for GetAbout Columbia is provided by the Federal Highway Administration’s Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program

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