Alliance Partners with CLIF BAR to Replace 100,000 Car Trips with Bicycle Travel

Washington, DC - May 12, 2011 - The Alliance for Biking & Walking is proud to join CLIF BAR's push to replace 100,000 car trips with healthy, pollution-free bicycle travel this summer and fall. Returning for a second year, the Alliance is excited to once again lead the Gold Team in the nationwide 2 Mile Challenge.  

The 2 Mile Challenge is CLIF BAR's innovative, online effort to fight climate change by encouraging bicycle travel for short trips. In the U.S., 40 percent of all urban trips are two miles or less, but 90 percent of those short distances are made by automobile. CLIF BAR started the 2 Mile Challenge to build community among current bicyclists, encourage more citizens to travel on two wheels and support nonprofits that are working to increase active transportation.

• Three nonprofits have been selected as team leaders: Alliance for Biking & Walking, Safe Routes to School Partnership and 350.org 
• Their total points will determine how much money they receive. First place will earn a $35,000 grant; second place $25,000 and third place $20,000.  
• The remaining $20,000 will go to grassroots initiatives across the U.S., based on rider participation and creativity.

Members of the public will participate by joining one of the three teams. The Gold Team will be pedaling for the Alliance. Individuals will earn points for themselves and their teams by riding their bikes, logging their miles, challenging friends and sharing their progress through social media. In 2010, the Alliance Gold Team came in second place, logging more than 18,000 bike trips that traveled nearly 167,000 miles and saved 153,000 tons of global-warming carbon dioxide.  

"We're excited to continue the 2 Mile Challenge partnership with the Alliance in 2011," said Ryan Mayo, Brand Experience Manager for CLIF BAR. "By growing and strengthening grassroots bicycle and pedestrian advocacy in the U.S., the Alliance's mission is in lockstep with CLIF BAR's hope to encourage people powered transportation as a means to fight climate change and invigorate our communities." 

"The 2 Mile Challenge is a fantastic tool and incentive to get folks to park their cars and hop on their bikes for those easily pedaled short trips," said Jeffrey Miller, the Alliance's President / CEO. "It brings out the best of everyone's competitive spirit, the positive reinforcement of doing good by the planet, and a social media platform that takes bicycling advocacy to a new level. The Alliance is grateful and honored to be included and to share this tool with our many members and supporters."

To learn more and sign up for the challenge, participants visit www.2milechallenge.com. The Challenge runs from May 12 to October 31, 2011.