What's With The B2WW Teams?

Teams make the challenge more fun! You can join an existing team or start a new one -- if your employer is competing in the Bike To Work Week Challenge, be sure to join that team.

What is the B2WW Challenge?

The B2WW Challenge is a friendly competition among Columbus-area employers with the goal to replace as many automobile commutes as possible with bicycle commutes. From Monday, May 4 to Thursday, May 14, you and your teammates track your bicycle trips to and from work. All the teams' numbers are tallied on Friday morning, and five categories of winners are announced at that afternoon's B2WW Challenge Awards Luncheon -- free to all participants -- at Buca di Beppo in the Arena District.

How does the B2WW challenge work?

1. A team leader from your organization creates a Challenge team on this website.
    
2. The team leader invites other organizational affiliates to be members of their team.
    
3. All interested affiliates join their leader's team on this website.
    
4. All team members track the number of trips they make to and from your organization by bicycle, and their mileage, between May 4 and May 14.
    
5. One point is awarded for each one-way commute to work by bicycle. Two points per day is the maximum allowed per person. Mileage does not count towards a team's chances of winning, but is interesting information to record.
    
6. On Friday, May 15, the results are tallied and winners are determined based on the points-to-employee ratio in each of five categories (i.e., organizations with 1–19, 20–99, 100–499, 500–999, and 1000+ employees).
    
7. All Challenge participants are invited to the free B2WW Challenge Awards Luncheon at Buca di Beppo in the Arena District on Friday, May 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m.!

Why does the Challenge last for two weeks this year?

Last year, Columbus' first Bike to Work Challenge lasted from Monday to Thursday of B2WW. By the time our co-workers realized what we were doing, it was over. This year we want to give everyone more opportunities to ride -- by giving you more time to get your friends to try it! We've even provided a conversation-starting poster for you to hang in your office so that colleagues ask about your Challenge participation (see below)!

When will I find out if my team won?

The awards luncheon will be held at Buca du Beppo in the Arena District on Friday, May 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The lunch is free to all Bike to Work Week participants. If you are unable to attend the luncheon, your team coordinator will be contacted by Matt Young later that afternoon witih the winner in your category.

What if I can't ride every day?

Every trip you make is a point for your team. Even one or two trips by bicycle puts your team that much closer to bragging rights! If you don't think you can handle riding both ways, consider riding one way and using COTA Bike 'n Bus in the opposite direction.

I've never ridden a bike for transportation before. What should I do?

There are several ways to learn how to commute by bicycle:

1. Ride with a friend. Sign up for the bike buddy option on your profile. Ride with a friend or with a group. Not only will this make you more visible on the road, but it's fun!
    
2. Take a safety course. We are offering a safety course on May 4, and instructors are on call during May if you need help getting your team get rolling. You can also find safety courses offered through most bicycle shops and clubs.
    
3. Find a safe route. Take the quieter streets that you usually ignore in a car. Team up with a more experienced rider to find a safe route from home to work. Ask them to ride the route with you a few times until you are comfortable.
   

Your Question Not Answered Here?

Please contact Matt Young for questions regarding the B2WW Challenge.