Northwestern bikers win Commuter Challenge

EVANSTON - Northwestern University won its category of educational institutions with 5,000 or more employees in the 25th Annual Bike Commuter Challenge. Northwestern had the greatest percentage of employees who logged rides during the competition that ran Friday, June 10 through Friday, June 17.

The event, organized by the Active Transportation Alliance, engages Chicago-area workplaces in a friendly competition to commute to work by bike. It is intended to encourage cycling as a healthy and environmentally friendly transportation option.

Northwestern participants logged nearly 1,200 bike trips covering more than 7,000 miles -- more rides and miles than any of the 268 teams that competed in this year’s event. Together, all participating teams logged nearly 17,000 rides for a total of more than 96,800 miles biked. 

During the event, Northwestern celebrated with a free bike tune-up station and social gatherings for cyclists. 

Staff member Elizabeth Adamczyk chairs the Northwestern Cycling Committee, a group that works to encourage bike commuting in the University community on both the Evanston and Chicago campuses. She has served as Northwestern’s team leader in the Bike Commuter Challenge since Northwestern first began participating. 

“It’s a fun event and a team-oriented way to get both experienced bike commuters and new riders out on their bikes,” she said. “We’re excited about winning the challenge again this year, and we hope more people will continue commuting by bike throughout the year and participate next year, too.”

The victory comes as cycling has become even more accessible with the arrival of Divvy Bike Share on campus and in Evanston. One hundred Divvy bikes and 10 bike share stations are being installed in strategically chosen locations around Evanston, thanks to a partnership between Northwestern, the City of Evanston and others.