Get Ready for Smart Trips 2013 X-Treme Commuter Challenge

Smart Trips kicks off its 2013 X-Treme Commuter Challenge on Monday, September 16.

This year's Challenge pits 48 area businesses against each other in a competition to see which company can persuade the most employees to take alternative commutes to work.

To get the ball rolling, Smart Trips produced a YouTube video featuring teams from Tennessee Valley Authority and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters training for the ?sport' of carpooling, talking smack, and throwing down gauntlets. The official video will premiere at the East Tennessee History Center on Friday, September 13 at 1:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend the showing or watch online now.

"We hope the video will pump everyone up for this year's Challenge," says Smart Trips program manager Kelley Segars. "We'd like to see businesses challenge each other to take part and really get into the competition. That will make it more fun for everyone."

During the Commuter Challenge, businesses will compete in one of four size-categories and earn points for encouraging employees to join the program, to try alternatives to driving alone, and to log their commutes online. Points also can be earned for the most enthusiastic participation. This year's winning team will get a starring role in Smart Trips' next promotional video.

The Commuter Challenge isn't limited to team participation though. Individuals are encouraged to compete too. Those who meet logging thresholds will vie for prizes like $50 gift cards to area merchants, Timbuktu Messenger bags, iPad Minis, Zipcar driving time, and more.

The Commuter Challenge will run through October 16. Details are available on the Smart Trips website at www.knoxsmarttrips.org.

Smart Trips, a program housed within MPC, is a free, online program that encourages people to take alternative commutes such as walking, riding a bicycle, or carpooling, instead of driving alone to work. The program helps commuters find carpool partners or learn to navigate the area by bike, bus, or on foot while saving money on gas and helping the environment. The program's mission is to improve air quality and ease traffic congestion. Smart Trips is funded by a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.