No Excuses

Happy New Year! Now that things finally feel like they’re getting back into full swing, I hope you’re still sticking to your 2013 resolutions.

If you made a resolution this year to be more active, there aren’t many excuses you can offer up this week for not getting out there and doing it. Even Mother Nature looks likes she’s giving you a leg up with this spring-like weather. The afternoon temperatures have been nigh-perfect for getting outside and enjoying the wonder that is a North Carolina winter – great temperatures and no bugs!

If you’re working in the Park, it’s even easier because there are 17 miles of pedestrian pathways and trails to enjoy and explore. The trails are perfect for walking or running and our handy map breaks down the trail into smaller distances so you can create a comfortable (or challenging) route distance. And, for the botanists out there, you can brush up on your winter dendrology skills (nerd alert!) on our paved Tree ID trail. The Tree Identification Trail is currently marked in the section between Development Drive and Kit Creek Road near Davis Drive; head out and learn what a lot of the specimens there look like without their leaves!

And for the bike enthusiasts, don’t forget about the RTP Mountain Biking Trail – a great technical trail for mountain bikers, located in the southern portion of RTP. It’s a moderately challenging trail that includes rock armoring, stream crossings, and ladder bridges along with an abundance of dips and rolling contours. (It also makes for a pleasant lunch-time walk or hike – just be sure to step aside for cyclists riding through.) Access to the trail is from the gravel parking lot located on Louis Stephens Drive near the new volleyball courts. And be sure to stay tuned for an exciting update about this trail in the coming weeks.

So get out and enjoy this tease of spring-to-come, stick to those resolutions, and be sure say hi if you pass me on the trail! And comment below and share your other ideas on ways to stay fit in RTP.

The SmartCommute Challenge: Two Weeks Remain

We’re in the final stretch of the Smart Commute Challenge, with just about two weeks left.  And even though these fall days are flying by, there’s still time to pledge to try a new commute and win some great prizes. You have until October 15 to take and complete your pledge.  You’ve got several options available to you: you can bike, walk, bus, carpool, vanpool, or work from home, so there’s almost something for everyone; with all the commuting alternatives, there’s really no excuse not to try it. And you’ll save money and reduce emissions. And if that’s not enough, there are chances to win some great prizes just for completing and tracking your smart commute. Tracking is simple. Visit www.sharetheridenc.org/challenge and log in or register to get to our new Trip Diary. You can even watch a short tutorial for instructions:

Also during these last two weeks, GoTriangle is pitting our colleges and universities against one another for a fierce Battle of the Brains. Tarheels! Devils! Eagles! Pack! Time to rep your school. Employees and students alike, join together and GoSmart. You’ve got two weeks to make sure you track your trips. The school with the most trips tracked throughout the Challenge will be the smartest school in the Triangle. This is a ranking you don’t want to miss!

Now, let’s GoSmart!

RTP Food Truck Rodeo

Join us for the RTP Food Truck Rodeo
on September 20

Bring your friends, bring your colleagues, and come on out for RTP’s September Food Truck Rodeo!

Date: Thursday, September 20
Time: 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
Location: RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Drive (Directions)

Participating Food Trucks

Pie Pushers
http://piepushers.com/
@piepushers

Only Burger
http://onlyburger.com/the-truck
@onlyburger

Chirba Chirba Dumpling
http://www.chirbachirba.com/
@chirbachirba

American Meltdown
http://americanmeltdown.org/
@AmericanMLTDWN

The Parlour
http://theparlourdurham.com/
@parlourdurham

Sweet Stacey Cakes
http://www.sweetstaceycakes.com/
@SweetStaceyCake

Parking is limited, so we encourage you to carpool, bike, or walk over to the rodeo! And be sure to stop by the SmartCommute Booth and take the SmartCommute Challenge.  There’ll be free gifts to anyone that pledges!

We look forward to seeing everyone.

And save the date for next Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday, October 25.

Go Smart with the SmartCommute Challenge

The SmartCommute Challenge is back and this year’s Challenge promises to be better than ever! We’re upping the ante and giving you more chances to win with our Weekly Challenges. Every Monday starts a new workweek and a new challenge. (And if you’re new to the SmartCommute Challenge, find out what it’s all about and just how easy it is to participate here.)

Cyclists, take note!  Active commuters will be the first group called to the mat for the Pedal vs. Metal contest, September 10 – 16. Track your trips after registering for the Challenge and see how many miles you can save during the week by walking, biking, skateboarding, rollerblading– any method that uses your own personal power to get you where you need to go. The commuter with the most trips tracked during the week, wins!  Click here for more information about the other Challenges, including Try Transit Week (September 17-23).

But wait, that’s not all! We’ve brought back the Photo & Video contest too, now with more ways to play along using social media like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and G+. We’ll also have tables at events throughout the Triangle so be on the lookout.

Thanks for riding and good luck. Don’t forget to share this with your friends!

A Shoulder to Lean On

Signs have already gone up to alert motorists that buses may using the shoulder.

Starting July 16^th, that’s just what authorized transit buses will be able to do during periods of congestion – use the shoulder along a section of I-40. The NC Department of Transportation and Triangle Transit have announced that North Carolina’s first Bus on Shoulders System (BOSS) pilot will begin on July 16, 2012 on portions of Interstate 40 in the Research Triangle Region, including all eastbound I-40 RTP exits, allowing authorized transit buses to operate on freeway shoulders.

The BOSS program is a cooperative initiative of the I-40 Regional Partnership coordinated by the Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) to enhance the mobility of the Triangle’s most critical freeway.

Expected benefits of the BOSS program include:

• Shorter, more predictable and reliable transit times
• Fewer missed transfer connections
• Increased transit ridership
• Decreased operational costs

Drivers have already begun their training. And rest assured, buses won’t be whizzing by other vehicles at 65 miles an hour. There are guidelines for usage by authorized transit buses:

• Authorized buses can use the shoulder only when traffic speeds are 35 MPH or lower
• Buses may only travel up to 15 MPH faster than general traffic (but not to exceed 35 MPH) when in the shoulder
• Buses must yield to all emergency operations in the shoulder and any other obstruction
• Use of the shoulder is optional by bus drivers

For more information, read a previous post made by Guest Blogger, Brad Shultz with Triangle Transit or visit triangletransit.org/boss.

Dump the Pump on June 21st

With the return of high gas prices, SmartCommute@rtp and GoTriangle, along with public transportation systems nationwide, are encouraging Triangle residents to participate in the seventh annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21. The slogan of this year’s National Dump the Pump Day is “Dump the Pump. Save Money. Ride Transit.”

Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2012 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation and save money, instead of driving a car. Started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, this national day emphasizes that public transportation is a great travel option that also helps people save money.

With high gas prices, saving money is on everyone’s minds and public transportation is the quickest way to beat high gas prices. According to the latest APTA Transit Savings Report, individuals in a two-person household can save an average of more than $10,000 annually by downsizing to one car.

And this year, GoTriangle is asking Triangle residents to create a video that demonstrates why they’re choosing to break up with their car! Finalists will be announced on Dump the Pump Day, June 21st at 12pm. For more information on the contest, visit http://www.gotriangle.org/go-info/stop-and-go and check out the video below for inspiration!

Make Your Silence Heard: 2012 Ride of Silence

By Blanche Dean, Guest Blogger from Team MSFITS.

On May 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists (and the obligation to follow the same rules of the road as motorists), the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

Please join Team MSFITS as they host the 7^th Annual RTP Ride of Silence starting and finishing at RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Drive, RTP.  The Research Triangle Foundation has once again granted us permission to stage the ride at their facility and they are endorsing this ride.  The Durham Police Reserves will once again lead our procession, adding dignity and safety to our journey.

The Ride of Silence is a free ride, approximately 5 miles in length, that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured.

I know you’ve been out there riding and had things thrown at you, been “buzzed” by a motor vehicle trying to see how close they could get, been screamed at to get off the road, and worse.  You may have been injured and probably know someone or of someone who has died as a result of a motor vehicle/bicycle crash.  THIS is the ride to show your solidarity as a cycling community – to raise awareness and say “shame on you” to those who carelessly travel our roads without regard to life or limb.

We will supply black armbands to all cyclists to wear in memory of those who have been killed and red armbands to those cyclists who join us and are survivors of motor vehicle/bicycle accidents.  Please arrive early enough to prepare yourself and your bike to ride, to sign waivers, and participate in a tribute to cyclists before we head out at 7:00 sharp.  Read more »

May Food Truck Rodeo

Join us for the RTP Food Truck Rodeo
on
Thursday, May 17^th

Calling all Food Truck fans! Bring your friends, bring your colleagues, and come on out for RTP’s May Food Truck Rodeo.

Date: Thursday, May 17
Time: 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
Location: RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Drive (Directions)

In honor of National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week, SmartCommute@rtp will be providing free gifts to anyone that rides their bike to the event and providing useful information on bicycle commuting.

Participating Food Trucks:

Pie Pushers
@piepushers

Only Burger
@onlyburger

The Parlour
@parlourdurham

Chirba Chirba Dumpling
@chirbachirba

Will and Pops
@willandpops

Olde North State BBQ
@ONSBBQ

As always, parking is limited so we strongly encourage carpooling, and of course, riding your bike to the event!

We look forward to seeing everyone!

AND save the date for next Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday, June 14^th!

Gear up for Bike Month: May 2012

Let’s face it: we live in an automobile-centric nation, and I don’t think I’d be surprising anyone in saying that the Triangle isn’t necessarily the ideal place to commute to and from work by bike.  However, that certainly doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to ride your bike to work; nor does it mean that the Triangle isn’t a bicycle friendly community. In fact, the town of Carrboro has received a silver designation for being a bicycle friendly community from the League of American Bicyclists; and Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh have all received bronze designations. Clearly, bicycle commuting in the Triangle is growing in popularity and amenities to support it are also growing.

For the month of May, the Triangle is celebrating Bike To Work Month, an entire month dedicated to encouraging and supporting one of the most economical and healthy ways of commuting. This month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons people ride. Whether you bike to work or school; to save money or time; to preserve your health or the environment; to explore your community or get to your destination, biking can be one of the most rewarding modes of transportation. And if you’ve been thinking about starting to ride to work, but haven’t put your foot to the pedal yet, I hope you’ll use this month to give it a go.

There are lots of events going on in the Triangle to celebrate Bike to Work Month, including several events in RTP, sponsored by SmartCommute@rtp:

• Bicycle Community Basics – Lunch and Learn
  Thursday, May 10, 11:30AM-1PM
  RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Dr.
  This seminar will cover the basics of commuting by bicycle, safe cycling, riding in traffic, crash avoidance, and cyclists’ rights and responsibilities. The course is open to anyone and both novice and experienced riders are welcome and encouraged to attend. Registration Required.

• Bike to Work Month After-Hours Social
  Tuesday, May 15, 5-7PM
  Serena, 5311 South Miami Blvd. Suite A
  Cyclists enjoy free appetizers, drinks, and giveaways.

• Ride of Silence
  Wednesday, May 16, 7PM
  RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Dr.
  A silent procession to honor cyclists who’ve been killed or injured on public roadways. Organized by MS Fits and hosted by SmartCommute@rtp, this free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. Visit www.msfits.org/ride-of-silence.html for more information.

• Bike to Work Month Breakfast Social
  Friday, May 18, 7-9AM
  RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Dr.
  Cyclists enjoy a free continental breakfast and giveaways.

For a complete list of the Bike to Work Month events occuring Triangle-wide, visit GoTriangle. And for more information and resources on biking in the RTP area, visit SmartCommute.org.

The Earth Day Celebration Roundup

April has easily become a month dedicated to increased awareness and activity in the arena of sustainability, and Earth Day is right around the corner (April 22^nd).  Over the next few weeks, many companies are putting together events for their employees to help engage and educate them on ways they can improve the planet.  Companies like IBM, Cisco, and BASF are inviting organizations to share some of the great information they have on ways employees can help the planet.  For example, SmartCommute@rtp will be providing information on ways employees can green up their commutes.

Of course, even if your company isn’t offering an event, there are still lots of ways to celebrate Earth Day, right here in RTP.

RTP Earth Day GetConnected Event
If you haven’t already heard, RTP will be hosting its very own Earth Day Celebration in conjunction with the Triangle Green Business Challenge Kickoff on April 23, from 4pm to 6:30pm at the RTP Headquarters.  This event will include food, beverages, raffles, and guest speakers.  (You can register here.)  You’ll likely be hearing more about this event in the coming days.

RTP Electronics Recycling Day
Environment@rtp will be hosting its annual Spring Electronics Recycling Drive on Wednesday, April 25th for RTP for employees to drop off unneeded household electronics for donation and/or recycling. Visit www.environmentrtp.org/news-events/electronics-recycling-events for more information on this free event.

Books on Break Book Drive
Community Outreach@rtp will be hosting its inaugural “Books on Break” book drive for elementary students.  Instead of disposing of those gently used books you have lying around, donate and allow them to be reused, the best form of recycling.  Visit www.rtp.org/community for more information.

And if that’s not enough, here’s my roundup of upcoming celebratory Earth Day Events around the Triangle for the whole family: Read more »