Commuter Spotlight: TD Locals Share How Get There Challenge Improved Their Commute
by Cole Goodwin and Tom Peterson
The Get There Challenge has helped several locals get their day off to a healthier start.
Over a thousand people across the state participated in Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) held it’s ninth annual Get There Challenge this past October, including commuters in rural areas like The Dalles, OR. The challenge encouraged participants to evaluate their commute and transportation habits and make healthier choices for themselves and the environment. Local businesses across the state and In Wasco County includingMt. Hood Meadows, Columbia Gorge Community College, Oregon E-Bikes and The Link Public Transit helped to support the challenge by donating prizes for participants.
This year 1,405 commuters unlocked a total of 7,080 achievements with the Get There Challenge in addition to logging 18,200 trips! All by shifting from individual car trips to walking, biking, taking transit, carpooling, vanpooling and working remotely, instead of driving alone!
CCC News asked a few of these commuters to share with us how undertaking the challenge to commute sustainably has impacted their lives.
Halloween Flyer - Mairead Beane Kelly in her Pizza Hut uniform, pirate son George and lion daughter Maeve had some fun taking a costumed ride on Oct. 31.
Mairead Beane Kelly, 36, The Dalles, OR
Tell us a little about yourself
I love The Dalles. My husband, Tyler, and I moved here from Minnesota 7 years ago, and honestly didn't know if we would stay. I have fallen in love with the geography, the proximity to so many wilderness adventures, the warm people, and the countless inspiring local organ
izations working for the betterment of our community. We now have two young children, George and Maeve, who truly are Oregonians. They lost the Minnesota gene for tolerating frigid, cold temperatures.
Why did you get involved in the Get There Challenge?
I love to bike! I'm also competitive. This challenge got me riding again this year for my daily commute! Since the challenge, we've recently purchased an ebike, so I can even bike and pick up my kids after school at Rivera's Bilingual Childcare. All the kids love coming out and seeing our bike mobile take off at the end of the day.
How did you participate in the get there challenge? Were there any fun adventures that came out of the serendipitous nature of doing things differently?
I biked to and from work, 3 miles each way, during much of the Get There Challenge. I dressed myself as a Christmas tree with many flashing lights so I'd be visible on my ride to Chenowith Elementary School each morning. It has been a stressful start to the school year, and getting back to biking to and from work has made a huge difference for me. It's one of the only parts of my day where my only job is to sit and pedal... and of course follow the traffic laws.
What were some of the unintended consequences of taking this challenge?
You are more visible on a bicycle. I had fun waving at all kinds of people I knew while riding, and often hearing about my friends and coworkers who saw me on the road.
You received a Fred Meyer gift certificate for your participation. What are you doing with your Get There Challenge winnings?
I bought some cool pens to share with my coworkers on their birthdays. Working at a school, it's always fun to have a really nice pen.
George Braun
George Braun, 33, The Dalles, OR
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a 7th Grade Science Teacher at The Dalles Middle School. Before working here, I was getting my Masters degree in Education from University of Oregon, which is where I began bike-commuting as my main method of transportation. When I moved to The Dalles to become a teacher, my commute was actually shorter than what I was doing in Eugene (and the weather out here is much nicer, on average!)
As a Science Teacher, one of the topics we cover is the science behind Climate Change, and one of the things I like to bring up in class is how small changes to our routines can make a big difference for the Earth. Not only does walking or riding a bike lower our carbon emissions, it's cheaper than driving a car, gives you exercise, and is fun! I like to think I'm being a positive example for my students when I bike-commute.
Aside from being a teacher, I am an outdoor-enthusiast. I enjoy camping, hiking, rock-climbing, as well as paddle-boarding and Wind-surfing.
Why did you get involved in the Get There Challenge?
I bike commute because I get so much more from my commute. For just a few minutes longer on the road, I am doing something that is better for the environment and better for my mental and physical health.
I also hope that people reading this take a second to consider which trips they take in a car that could be replaced by a short walk or bike-ride. You might find that those extra few minutes are a nice way to get some easy exercise and destress during your day!
How did you participate in the get there challenge? Were there any fun adventures that came out of the serendipitous nature of doing things differently?
For the Get There Challenge, I rode my bike to and from work every day (except one) during the 2 week challenge. My ride is about 2 miles each day from my home to The Dalles Middle School, so I totaled 18 miles during the Challenge.
Unfortunately, nothing serendipitous came of this; I have been either biking or walking to school since I started teaching at The Dalles Middle School back in 2018. I like to say that I can handle the cold, or the rain, but not both at the same time. So long as it's not cold and rainy at the same time I will ride or walk, and only drive to work in really miserable conditions.
What were some of the unintended consequences of taking this challenge?
This challenge didn't really change my behavior; it's something I would have been doing anyway! But I do really enjoy beginning and ending my work day with some fresh air and exercise.
Did you win an e-bike?
I did not win an e-bike (at least, I don't think so! I'd love an e-bike). I have tried riding them, and I'm a huge fan, especially for an area like the gorge where the steep hills are a huge deterrent to people riding their bike. With an e-bike, I'd be more likely to ride my bike to get dinner or buy groceries in town, knowing that I'd get mechanical assistance for the ride home (uphill!).
Jennifer Christensen
Jennifer Christensen, 39, The Dalles, OR
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm 7 months pregnant with my first child and I'm very excited to be a mama.
I work at Mid Columbia Medical Center and I've lived in The Dalles for about 7 years. One of the things I really like about the location of my job is that I have the option of walking to work, something that I've enjoyed doing in the past. I love being outdoors --- especially hiking, kayaking or being in the snow and I'm not afraid of challenging weather.
Why did you get involved in the Get There Challenge?
I thought this challenge would be a good motivator for getting exercise as my pregnancy progresses. I also felt spending this time walking by myself might be something I may not be able to do as much once the baby arrives- so I've been taking advantage of the privilege now. I've kept up with walking to and from work most days since the challenge and will do so as long as I feel able.
How did you participate in the get there challenge? Were there any fun adventures that came out of the serendipitous nature of doing things differently?
I walked from home to work and back each day, 1.5 miles round trip. I've really enjoyed having the time before and after work to prepare or process the day while getting some fresh air. I've definitely become acquainted with a lot of the neighborhood cats and dogs.
What were some of the unintended consequences of taking this challenge?
I'm super thankful to Get There Oregon for the Mount Hood Meadows lift tickets!
What are you doing with your Mount Hood Meadows lift tickets? My spouse and I cross-country ski weekly during winter but last year for my birthday, I was gifted ski lessons at Mount Hood Meadows and had a great time. I hope that I'll be feeling up for using them this year after I give birth at the end of January!
Sarah Cook and partner Mo hiking in the Gorge.
Sarah Cook, 34, The Dalles, OR
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a writer and editor--I went to grad school with no clear professional goals, but a deep love of literature and creative writing--and I currently enact these things through occasional publications, my role as Poetry Editor for Neon Door, and a monthly newsletter called For the Birds. I'm in the midst of launching one-on-one writing mentorship and editing services, which you can learn more about through my website. I'm also a social worker by day, and a fairly devoted advocate of mental health and housing access.
How did you participate in the get there challenge? Were there any fun adventures that came out of the serendipitous nature of doing things differently? Why did you participate in the Get There Challenge?
I live about 1.6 miles from where I work, whereas my partner--whom I share a vehicle with--works in Hood River. This tends to translate into me utilizing alternative methods of getting home from work, especially Tuesdays through Fridays. We're a little bit stubborn about cars and keep refusing to buy a second one; outside of road trips, we find them silly and frustrating, so I've tried to embrace walking and riding my bike as much as possible on those days. I do sometimes carpool, and I have generous co-workers and friends who offer me lifts pretty regularly.
When I signed up for the challenge, it was less about instating a new habit and more about embracing, with a little more intention, something I was already doing out of necessity. I've especially come to love walking home: I listen to podcasts, sure, but I also pick up leaves and twigs, and I notice the moon, and I say hello to certain neighborhood pets, and I practice giving a little more attention to the pace of my breathing.
What were some of the unintended consequences of taking this challenge?
There's probably not a single habit in my life that isn't at risk of becoming rote and unthoughtful. I appreciated this opportunity to renew and deepen my thoughtfulness around something that was already a part of my current routine.
You received a Gorge Pass for your participation in the Get There Challenge. What are you doing with your Gorge Pass?
One of the few instances where my partner and I don't lament vehicle ownership is when we make trips into Portland for concerts or to see friends. We're excited to pick up a second one and experiment with going to the city car-less!
Calling all employers in Wasco and Hood River counties!
Did you know that you can encourage your employees to choose healthier and happier commute modes by earning rewards? Sign up for the Get There Rewards program today by emailing kathy@mcedd.org.
