VCTC Ride Week Encourages Commuters to Try a Cleaner and Healthier Ride

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) announced Oct. 2, the launch of Ride Week 2015, happening Oct. 5-9, as part of a regional campaign to help reduce traffic and air pollution in Southern California.

Research shows that more than 75 percent of Ventura County’s workers commute alone in their cars and about one third of them spend an hour or more on their roundtrip drive. Ride Week encourages employees and students to make a pledge to try an alternative transportation method, whether it is carpool, vanpool, public transit, walking, biking or telecommuting, for at least one day during the event.

To help get Ventura County commuters excited about Ride Week, VCTC is raffling gift certificates for a new bike, running shoes, Fitbit wireless activity trackers, monthly bus passes and other prizes for anyone who pledges to try an alternative ride Oct. 5-9.

Those interested in entering, can make their pledge at www.rideweek.org. Not only will they be entered to win, but they can also request an evaluation of their commute with customized travel options and contact information for possible ridesharing partners.

“County highways and freeways are more congested than ever, meaning longer commute times, more money spent on gas and vehicle maintenance and more tons of tailpipe emissions polluting our environment,” said VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “Our hope is that Ride Week will open commuters up to alternative methods of transportation and that they’ll find something they like not just during Ride Week, but throughout the year.”