First Annual Roll the Cold Bike Challenge Tracks Riders on the Frozen Road

Released: January 12, 2015

Contact: Clare McDermott
Active Transportation Alliance
312-216-0466 (o)
773-391-7709 (c)
clare@activetrans.org

First Annual Roll the Cold Bike Challenge Tracks Riders on the Frozen Road

Join the challenge and prove that a little cold won’t slow your roll

(Chicago) – Today the Active Transportation Alliance announced the first annual Roll the Cold Bike Challenge, which will be held January 17 through January 23. Participants in the challenge will track their trips to earn bragging rights for the most miles biked during a frigid week that includes the anniversary of Chicago’s coldest day ever on January 20, 1985.

Challenge participants will also receive information and tips for how to stay safe and warm while biking through the winter, which includes not biking at all when road and/or weather conditions are unsafe. Registration for the Challenge is online at www.activetrans.org/rollthecold.

Cycling is on the rise in Chicago, and winter biking is now common. Data from the U.S. Census and City of Chicago bike counts indicates that more than 8,000 Chicagoans bike commute in the winter, with many more biking to transit, school, the grocery store and other destinations.

Active Transportation Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes better biking, walking and transit, is hosting the Roll the Cold Bike Challenge to recognize these winter warriors and raise money to continue the fight to make our streets safer for everyone who uses them.

Roll the Cold Bike Challenge participants who raise money to support Active Trans will be eligible for prizes, including merino wool socks from Icebreaker and windproof biking gloves and a fat tire bike provided by Kozy’s Cyclery! The participant with the most tracked miles will win the title of King or Queen of the 2015 Roll the Cold Bike Challenge and be featured on the Active Trans blog and social media pages.

In addition to the weeklong challenge, Active Trans invites all winter commuters and biking enthusiasts to join us for the Winter Bike to Work Day on January 23 from 6:30 to 9 a.m. in Daley Plaza in Chicago’s Loop. Mingle with Roll the Cold Bike Challenge participants, other winter cyclists and Active Trans members while you enjoy free coffee and cheesecake.

Winter Bike to Work Day photos available from previous year upon request.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe and convenient that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is supported by more than 7,000 members and 1,000 volunteers. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

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