[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Try Transit Day 5, 000 Rider Challenge Aims to Smash Local Ridership Records

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Stacia Reilly, Health Promotion Coordinator
(573)874-6345 or srreilly at gocolumbiamo.com

Try Transit Day 5,000 Rider Challenge Aims to Smash Local Ridership Records

COLUMBIA, MO (May 11, 2012) -  

Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services 

promotes event to spread the word about health benefits of public transit

 

To the thousands of city residents who have never tried Columbia Transit: Now's the time to get on the bus for better health! On May 17, the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is co-sponsoring the 5,000 Rider Challenge to promote the health benefits of public transit. As part of the eleventh annual Bike, Walk and Wheel Week, this year's Try Transit Day will offer free rides to all, on-the-bus promotions and more than $2,000 in prizes from local businesses. 

 

By bringing new riders to Columbia Transit, the Department of Public Health and Human Services, in partnership with PedNet, hopes to smash previous records set for one-day ridership and spread the word about how using public transit can boost health. "Riding the bus absolutely improves the health of our community," says Stephanie Browning, director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services. "A well-used transit system means better air quality, safer roads and more opportunities for daily exercise."

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public transit benefits the health of both bus riders and the community at large:

*People who ride the bus get more exercise. For most transit users, walking or biking between bus stops and destinations provides the recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily. Fewer than half of all American adults reach this goal.

*Fewer cars on the road mean fewer traffic accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading-cause of injury-related death for most age groups. 

*Increase in public transit use improves air quality. Air pollution from motor vehicle emissions is linked with asthma and other respiratory and cardiovascular illness.

 

Browning and other local officials, including City Manager Mike Matthes, will serve as Transit Ambassadors and will welcome riders aboard city buses. Also, with each bus ride on Try Transit Day, riders can enter to win gift certificates from the District, the Blue Note and Mojo's, Hy-Vee, Wilson's Total Fitness in the District, Curves and Walt's Bike Shop. More rides means more chances to win.

 

A press conference highlighting Try Transit Day and the 5,000 Rider Challenge, the health benefits of a good transit system and outcomes from the Community Conversations About Transit is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15 at 8:30 a.m. at Wabash Station. For more information visit the Try Transit Day Web site at http://www.pednet.org/programs/bwww-trytransitday.asp
 
 


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