June 2010 eMail Update

2010: The Summer to Bike

Bike Advocacy is all the rage with different campaigns and initiatives rolling out everywhere. People for Bikes and Cliff Bar’s 2 Mile Challenge are two national campaigns that have interactive sites worth exploring.

Madison has set the new goal of having 20% of trips in Madison be alternative modes such as biking, carpooling or busing by 2020. Bookmark the 20 by 2020 webpage for the latest updates. The latest post reviews the lessons learned and pledges for action in Madison from the Mayor’s recent trip to Europe.

Bike to Work Week Recap

Bike to Work Week was kicked off by Ride the Drive on June 6th. If you missed it, check out this video and get excited for the next Ride the Drive on Sunday, August 29th 2010.

The Bike Federation of Wisconsin hosted a very successful Bike to Work Week Challenge. You might have been one of the 2,275 people who registered representing more than 275 workplaces across the state. Participants reported commuting more than 100,000 miles by bike during Bike to Work Week.

Mpower congratulates the individuals and businesses that participated and collectively prevented over 41 tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted last week.

7 Mpower ChaMpions participated in the challenge: Covance, designCraft Advertising, JJR, Lakeview Veterinary Clinic, Monsanto - Agrecetus Campus, Union Cab and Webcrafters

7 Mpower Businesses participated in the challenge: Edgewood College, Home Savings Bank, IMS, Metcalf's Market, Planet Bike, Sustain Dane and Trek

And the Mpower Winners are:

Highest number of employees who commuted by bike during Bike to Work Week

First Place: Union Cab with 38
Second Place: Covance with 24

Highest average number of days biked per participating employee during Bike to Work Week

First Place: Planet Bike with 4.7
Second Place: Arttero with 3

Highest average number of miles biked per participating employee during Bike to Work Week

First Place: Planet Bike with 92.7
Second Place: Home Savings Bank with 51.2
Third Place (because a bike shop wins three of the categories): Monsanto Agracetus Campus with 28.6

Most miles biked per workplace during Bike to Work Week

First Place: Planet Bike with 649
Second Place: Covance with 571
Third Place: Union Cab with 321

MGE named Green Power Supplier of the Year

That's right, over 80% of Mpower pledges are purchasing green power tomorrow. You are doing your part. Thanks to your participation MGE was named Green Power Supplier of the Year by the Department of Energy.

One of the things that makes green power tomorrow so fun to participate in, is the Green View subscription. Every month, a new short video comes out featuring businesses and families in our community who are participating in the Green Power Tomorrow Program. This month Webcrafters is one of the three businesses featured. Maybe your family or your business will be next!

UW Credit Union reduces energy consumption while adding employees

UW Credit Union was one of the first businesses to take the Mpower pledge in 2007. If you have not heard their inspiring story featured on green view, click here. As part of their Mpower pledge, they purchased 100% green power energy for their headquarters on University Avenue.

Whenever purchasing renewable energy it makes the most sense (financial and environmental) to couple it with energy efficiency measures, thus reducing the amount of renewable energy you buy. UW Credit Union implemented many efficiency measures, including: cfl lighting conversion, replacement of HVAC equipment with higher efficiency equipment, more regulated building temperatures and better management of electrical usage. These actions resulted in a savings of over 18,000 kWh. This reduction, despite an increase of employees, is a huge accomplishment.

UW Credit Union has also focused on other areas of sustainability. They have reduced almost 40% of their water consumption through variable flushing and waterless urinals. All employees are offered free bus passes and 57% of members receive their monthly statements electronically, saving over 6 million sheets of paper.

Congratulations UW Credit Union!