| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Sande Snead (804) 225-4491 Jennifer.Pickett@drpt.virginia.gov Jennifer Pickett (804) 786-7432 |
CO-VDOT-DRPT May 2, 2005 |
Clean Commute Day Activities Planned For May 6
Richmond Event to be held at Convention Center
RICHMOND - If political rivals James Carville and Pat Buchanan can carpool into Washington, D.C. together to promote the benefits of carpooling, then surely other motorists can compromise and find alternative ways to commute to work. That is the purpose of the Fifth Annual Clean Commute Day planned for this Friday, May 6 - to get people thinking about ways of traveling other than driving alone.
Carpooling, vanpooling, riding Metrorail, biking, taking the Virginia Railway Express, walking, telecommuting, taking a passenger ferry, driving an alternative-fuel vehicle or riding the bus are all environmentally clean alternatives to driving alone to work. "Clean Commute Day raises awareness of the positive choices we can make every day to improve the air and quality of life for all Virginians," said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have partnered with the American Lung Association and others to recognize the efforts of clean commuters around the state.
In Richmond, Clean Commute Day will be hosted by GRTC RideFinders at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The RideFinders Bike 'n Health Fest will launch this year's Clean Air Campaign with a focus on the environmental and health benefits of biking. Log on to www.ridefinders.com for more information. Secretary Homer will present a proclamation signed by Gov. Mark Warner declaring May 6 as Clean Commute Day in Virginia. Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources W. Tayloe Murphy Jr. will speak.
Similar events planned for Arlington County, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads, Loudoun County, Roanoke and Winchester will feature commuter appreciation activities, free food, prizes, entertainment and informational booths.
Clean Commute Day kicks off the hot and hazy months when ozone levels can climb dangerously high in urban areas. According to the American Lung Association, more than 2.5 million Virginians live in areas where the air they breathe puts them at risk of developing health problems. For more information about how to take the Clean Commute Challenge, check out the Clean Commute Virginia Web site at www.cleancommuteva.org.
On the Web: DRPT www.drpt.virginia.gov
VDOT www.VDOT.Virginia.gov
Carpooling, vanpooling, riding Metrorail, biking, taking the Virginia Railway Express, walking, telecommuting, taking a passenger ferry, driving an alternative-fuel vehicle or riding the bus are all environmentally clean alternatives to driving alone to work. "Clean Commute Day raises awareness of the positive choices we can make every day to improve the air and quality of life for all Virginians," said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have partnered with the American Lung Association and others to recognize the efforts of clean commuters around the state.
In Richmond, Clean Commute Day will be hosted by GRTC RideFinders at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The RideFinders Bike 'n Health Fest will launch this year's Clean Air Campaign with a focus on the environmental and health benefits of biking. Log on to www.ridefinders.com for more information. Secretary Homer will present a proclamation signed by Gov. Mark Warner declaring May 6 as Clean Commute Day in Virginia. Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources W. Tayloe Murphy Jr. will speak.
Similar events planned for Arlington County, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads, Loudoun County, Roanoke and Winchester will feature commuter appreciation activities, free food, prizes, entertainment and informational booths.
Clean Commute Day kicks off the hot and hazy months when ozone levels can climb dangerously high in urban areas. According to the American Lung Association, more than 2.5 million Virginians live in areas where the air they breathe puts them at risk of developing health problems. For more information about how to take the Clean Commute Challenge, check out the Clean Commute Virginia Web site at www.cleancommuteva.org.
On the Web: DRPT www.drpt.virginia.gov
VDOT www.VDOT.Virginia.gov
Page last modified: May 3, 2005
