Embracing Challenge

Written by Judy Bortman

When you hear the word "challenge," how do you react? Are you eager to learn more and participate? Or does the word "challenge" make you want to run in the opposite direction?

Deciding whether to participate in a challenge is a timely topic that popped into my mind as we prepare to introduce TripSwitch, a free, short-term campaign encouraging people to switch their solo drive for a trip by walking, biking or carpooling. In addition to the sustainable benefits, all participants become eligible for a number of great prizes.

While preparing TripSwitch marketing materials, several questions came to mind:

• Do people ever change from being challenge-phobic to challenge-friendly?
• Would chances to win great prizes and the excitement of competition incent people to modify their behavior for a few days and “switch” to a trip by walking, biking or carpooling?
• Is altering your commute or mode of transportation too challenging? How could I motivate participation? Would naysayers even consider taking part?
• Are people who live in cities more likely to participate because they have access to a train station or bus stop?
• Does the type of challenge matter? Is a test of physical strength appealing to some while a Jeopardy-style trivia game attracts others?

There are two kinds of people...

I kept coming up with questions faster than I could find or figure out answers. It's my belief that people fall into two distinct camps on some matters, such as those who like anchovies on their pizza and those who don't.

Likewise, I suspect that there are people who like to participate in a challenge and those who prefer to stay away. You can’t do either half-heartedly. Either you participate in a challenge or you don't.

A person switching even a few trips would still be considered a TripSwitch participant and eligible to win prizes. I decided to research successful and noteworthy challenges as a Yoda-like way to understand their appeal, discover how to reach people and apply those insights to TripSwich marketing.

A recent, very visible and popular challenge came to mind. The Ice Bucket Challenge to benefit the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Association took the nation by storm thanks to social media. It attracted celebrities and professional athletes as well as everyday folks who endured being doused with a bucketful of ice water in order to raise awareness (and money!) for a worthy cause.

Note: The Ice Bucket Challenge lives on as a Halloween costume.

Nominating a minimum of three people to take the Ice Bucket Challenge was a component that kept the effort going through the late summer. As a result of the Ice Bucket Challenge the ALS Association increased awareness of its mission and received over $100 million in donations from over 700,000 new donors.

So why did the Ice Bucket Challenge catch on? Several reasons, I believe:

• Good timing - It took place during the summer.
• Short duration – The challenge itself took seconds, with just a bit more time for preparation and social media posting.
• Flexible - Participants could choose where and when they were doused and plan accordingly.
• Challenging only yourself – It was a challenge, not a competition. People challenged themselves - to be dunked or not to be dunked. For most, it was a new experience.
• Helping a cause - Increasing awareness of ALS and generating donations made people feel good which overshadowed a momentary chill.
• Boasting rights – Sharing your video on social media was tangible proof of your personal accomplishment and the reward for an act of kindness.

With a nod to Yoda, I saw parallels for The TripSwitch Challenge and motivating people “to do” not just “try”:

• Good timing – TripSwitch is taking place during October, ideal walking and biking weather.
• Short duration – It lasts only 21 days, from October 6th to 26th.
• Flexible - Participants can choose how, were and when they switch their trip.
• Challenging only yourself – Everyone who participates is a winner. People challenge themselves by taking a different mode of travel and feel good about their accomplishment. The more they switch the more chances to win prizes.
• Helping a cause – Improving the air we breathe and reducing traffic congestion are ways that TripSwitch participation helps sustainability.
• Boasting rights – Sharing your TripSwitch ride on our GoForGood Challenge site and sharing on social media is tangible proof of your personal accomplishment as well as an intrinsic reward.
• Increasing awareness – Participating in TripSwitch increases awareness of trip options and hopefully inspires participants to continue walking, biking or carpooling after the Challenge concludes.

 

Whether you prefer to embrace or avoid challenge, TripSwitch is a safe way to step outside your comfort zone. Plus it’s flexible, sustainable, will make you feel good about yourself and it’s free!

TripSwitch is now underway at GoForGood.TransOptions.org, but you can register at any time. We hope you'll join us!

What Employees Want

Written by Anne Adier-Vivino

Is traffic congestion in New Jersey impacting a business's ability to find and keep the talent they desire? For businesses located in the "burbs" of New Jersey, finding and retaining new and upcoming talent could pose more of a challenge as the millennial generation wants to be less reliant on cars and desire a multi-modal transportation system.

A recent study surveyed people aged 18 to 34 across 10 metro regions with varying levels of transit service. From Chicago to Tampa to Los Angeles, young people reported a preference for places that are walkable and transit-friendly. Four in five respondents reported they would like to live in a city where they could get around without a car. And almost three in four said neighborhoods without transit access were less appealing places to live.

Let's face it, getting into, out of and around New Jersey is taking a lot more time due to congested roadways, and with travel times getting longer, the drive to work can be incredibly stressful. With commuters spending more than an entire workweek delayed in traffic every year, getting to work is a leading frustration for employees.

Even in smaller urban areas, commuting is more of a hassle than ever before and as traffic congestion increases, so does its effect on the quality of life, roads and the environment.

Many consider the commute to work as part of their day and after an hour-plus commute, employees are arriving to work overwhelmed and overstressed. This often results in loss of productivity as well as time off due to stress-related illnesses.

Many employees accept this as the reality of their work life, but should they? And will they continue to do so?

The research tells us a resounding NO. The millennial generation, in particular, say that work life balance is of utmost importance and, truthfully, wouldn't we all like more free time in our day to do with as we please, rather than spending it stuck in traffic? There are simple solutions for businesses that can please employees of all generations.

Regardless of the location, employers can continue to attract new talent and retain current talent without offering pricey benefits. Many companies are turning to commute programs, offering employee incentives and solutions that encourage the use of commute alternatives like ridesharing, shuttles, teleworking, bicycle programs and utilizing NJ Transit.

Through these programs, they are successfully attracting and retaining employees. 

When seeking jobs, potential employees who may have otherwise overlooked the suburban location may find that these types of additional options for travel appealing and therefore expand their job searches. Current employees will be appreciative of opportunities that save them time and money. They will also arrive to work less stressed and ready to start their day.

 

Why Biking To Work Is Kid-Friendly

Written by Laura Cerutti

Part 2 of 2. Read part 1 here.

Last week we talked about making biking to work with a child more convenient and less difficult, but we understand that there are some safety concerns when it comes to riding with your little ones. After all, it is your natural instinct as a parent to protect your kids. One of the of the dads from the Bike to Work Challenge recommends going slow, making sure your bike is in working order, and ensuring that all of the connections to your child's ride-along apparatus are tight and secure. It is also imperative that your child is wearing a properly-fitted helmet at all times! Now that you know why you should bike to work with your kids, here's how you can get started:

Get the right equipment

Before they are old enough to ride confidently on their own, there are plenty of options for bike seats, trailers and cargo bikes to tow your little one.

REI ($299)

REI (179.95)

The dads from the Bike to Work Challenge both chose to use trailers. One father made arrangements to leave his daughter's bike trailer at her school before continuing his 10 mile trip to work. He then swings by the school to pick up the empty trailer on his ride home. He later informed us that he eventually ungraded to a Weehoo igo trailer that allows his daughter to become an active rider and pedal along with him to propel them forward.

If you have multiple kids, you don't have to pick favorites on who gets to ride with you! It is possible to attach multiple kids to one bike, just check out how this mom from Portland rides with six kids. (Yes! You read that correctly. Six kids, one bike!).

Six kids is no deterrent for this Portland mom.

Plan your route

On a weekend or a day off, ride alone to your child’s school and then ride by work. Time yourself and take note of bike lanes and hazardous intersections. After you are comfortable with your ride, bring your son or daughter along so they can get also get used to the ride and you can get used to them being hitched up to your bike. Once you are both comfortable, get ready to bike to school and work together!

Why Biking To Work Is Kid-Friendly

Written by Laura Cerutti
Part 1 of 2 

Most of us know the countless benefits of biking to work. It is known to relieve stress, elevate mood, and increase work productivity. It is also a major money saver and healthier alternative (for you and the environment) to sitting alone in traffic. Riding to work doesn’t have to stop, or fail to start, because you have a family or young children to take to school. If we know commuting by bike is good for us, why not instill these benefits in our children and take them along as we ride to work?

When confronted with the idea of riding a bike to work and bringing the kids along, most parents jump to the conclusion that it is inconvenient, unsafe and way too difficult. When reaching out to riders for our annual Bike to Work Challenge, we often met interested parents who would love to ride to the office but declined to register, feeling it would be near impossible to get their kids to school and make it to work on time.

This year's Bike to Work Challenge turned out to be a milestone year for TransOptions in many ways, but one of the most significant accomplishment came from two dads who submitted photos of them biking to work with their son and daughter.

These parents showed us that with the right equipment, some preparation, and the right attitude, having your kids ride along with you to work is actually teaching them a valuable lesson. Not only are you spending quality time with them outside the car, but you are also teaching them the importance of a gasoline-free, healthy, and inexpensive way to get to around.

The most important thing you need to do as a bike riding parent, is set a good example by riding responsibly. Studies on teen driving show that your kids start learning how to drive when they are in the car seat. Kids are like sponges, they observe everything, take it all in, and mimic what mom and dad do. If you are an aggressive driver that forgets turn signals, speeds, or talks on the phone while driving, chances are your kids will grow up to display the same unsafe behaviors behind the wheel. 

The same goes for bike riding. While your kids are hitched on to your bicycle, they are watching your every move. Obeying traffic laws, scanning for safety, using proper hand signals, and being friendly to drivers and pedestrians will shape your children’s future bicycling habits. Teaching your kids the valuable lesson of sharing the road will carry over to when they are ready to ride to school on their own, or even better, as adults riding to work.

Check back next Monday for Part 2. We'll show you how you can get started on sharing your bike to work trip with your kids.