Bike Commute Challenge Podium Results and Jersey Winners

From September 1st to September 30th, the cyclists of Substance participated in the 2009 Bike Commute Challenge, a “friendly competition to see who can get more people biking to work in September” organized by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. And while the BTA stresses the “friendly competition” aspect, let’s face it: there are still winners and losers, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Overall, Substance had a 47.7% workplace commute rate, which I think means out of all the commutes for all seven employees, 47.7% of them were by bicycle. Not bad, but there’s obviously about a 52.3% room for improvement. We’ll have to wait and see where that puts us from an overall company-by-company standpoint, but there’s also the matter of personal bragging rights. So without further ado, here are the podium results and jersey winners for the Substance Cycling Team.

The Maillot Jaune for Highest Percentage Participation goes to Stephen Landau with a 95% participation rate (that one day of wearing a suit to go to the Sustainability Northwest Gala robbed me of that perfect 100% rate, not that that’s a good excuse or anything).

The Maillot à Pois Rouges for Most Miles goes to Erin Kurtz with 230 miles (and a 83.3% participation rate).

The Maillot Vert for Highest Style Points for Palping a New Ride goes to David Lowe-Rogstad (and his new Colnago cyclocross bike) for his 88.9% participation rate in style.

The Maillot Blanc for Youngest Rider goes to Eric Eaglstun for his under-thirty year old 47.4% participation rate.

The Maillot Lanterne Rouge for Most Riding While Also Having to Go Out to Hillsboro Several Times a Week goes to Todd Moritz with a 19% participation rate.

The Maillot Non for Most Rides While Not Personally Owning a Bicycle is a two-way tie between Shaun Tinney and Cory Duncan, both with a 0% participation rate (though truth be told that Cory was going to borrow a bike from me one day to try it out but we could never get the timing to work out).

So there you have it. Congratulations to all the companies who participated, and all the Substance riders who straddled their cycling steeds in September. Now the real test begins… bike commuting during the Portland winter. Remember, there is no bad weather, just bad clothing choices.