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Only 11 percent of Chicagoland residents ride transit to work.

Get out and get moving: Join Active Trans’ inaugural Walk Challenge!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Clare McDermott
Active Transportation Alliance
(312) 216-0466
clare@activetrans.org

Get out and get moving: Join Active Trans’ inaugural Walk Challenge!

CHICAGO, October 29, 2020 — With many normal activities on hold, the one thing that all people can do is get out and get moving. It was in this spirt that the Active Transportation Alliance — which works to improve walking, biking, and transit in the Chicago region — created its first-ever Walk Challenge. The event is free and open to anyone walking or using a mobility aid or device.

What: Active Trans Walk Challenge
When: Friday, October 29 – November 15, 2020
Where: https://activetrans.org/walkchallenge

“While our largest event, Fifth Third Bike the Drive, is a celebration for our cyclists, we didn’t have a pedestrian-focused event,” said Active Trans Executive Director Amy Rynell. “Also, with some great fall days coming up, there’s no better time to get out and get moving.”

It’s widely known that there are many health benefits to walking, such as maintaining a healthy weight and prevention of various conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure, but it also boosts your mood. Beyond the health benefits, there are prizes to be won during the Walk Challenge. The top participant will receive a free pair of brand-new shoes (up to $100 value) while others can snag cool stuff from Dark Matter Coffee and Revolution Brewing. The competition is open to anyone living in Chicago or beyond.

“In a time when many of us are striving for some common ground, there is one thing we all share,” said Rynell. “Across generations, backgrounds, and communities, we are all pedestrians at some point. This is true no matter where we are coming from or where we’re going.”

Active Trans wants to use this event partly as an opportunity to call attention to its efforts to make walking safer and easier in communities around the region. While the need for safe and easy walking options is a crucial part of healthy community, it often doesn’t get as much attention as compared to other modes of transportation. More can be learned at activetrans.org/our-work/walking.

To learn more about Active Trans Walk Challenge and to register, visit https://activetrans.org/walkchallenge .

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About the Active Transportation Alliance
The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that advocates for walking, bicycling and public transit to create healthy, sustainable and equitable communities. The organization works to build a movement around active transportation, encourage physical activity, increase safety and build a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance has more than 20,0000 members and supporters in the Chicago region. For more information about the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325