Michelle Liu Photo
Mullen: It’s not too late to log your trips.
New Haven’s green-commute campaign ended a month-long “Car Free Challenge” by ushering a new month-long walking challenge.
The campaign to think outside the car, run by the GoNewHaven organization, spent Friday on the street telling people about “Walktober.”
At a table on Broadway’s parking island, for instance, Yale Urban Sustainability program associate Brianne Mullen and Yale’s Dwight Hall urban fellow Samuel Bennett called out to passersby.
“Hey, are you interested in some free coffee?” Bennett asked.
Awaiting sign-ups for the final day of the Car-Free Challenge.
Along with coupons to Blue State Coffee, the duo offered up free stickers, pens and information for Walktober, a series of walking events open to the public that allow participants to explore New Haven over the course of the month. The goal is to demonstrate the fun and accessibility of going places in New Haven on foot rather than on four wheels.
Bennett and Mullen were tabling at one of three setups across downtown, encouraging passersby to sign-up even on the last day of the CarFree Challenge, which launched at City Hall at the beginning of September. Participants who sign up online Friday and log their car-free September commutes, such as walking or biking, are still eligible for prizes offered by local businesses, Mullen said.
While the challenge, in its third year, has already garnered nearly 700 participants — up from 47 in its inaugural year — organizers can only guess at the number who will show over the course of Walktober.
Sponsored by Yale New Haven Hospital, Denali and SeeClickFix, these 14 Walktober events are flexible for those on their lunch breaks, given themes like “Burgers at Louis’ Lunch” (Oct. 12) and “Indian Food and East Rock” (Oct. 21).
Go New Haven Go program manager Krysia Solheim said this year’s pilot program will rely on local businesses and grassroots communication to track participation and feedback.
Bennett stressed that the CarFree Challenge and Walktober alike remind people of sustainable transportation options which are “great for health, the environment and your wallet,” he said.