Wallingford #4 in Walk Bike Ride Challenge

Some weeks back, we told you about SDOT’s Walk Bike Ride Challenge, and how they’ve added a little more fun to it by pitting neighborhoods against one another. Well, here’s how we fare so far: overall, we’re ranked #4–with Ballard in the lead, followed by Queen Anne, and PhinneyWood. Here’s the breakdown:

• #4 for number of trips switched to walking, biking or riding
• #4 for miles of driving saved
• #4 for number of participants signed up.
• 4,327 miles of driving saved so far

You know, though, here’s my theory on this: Since the Walk Bike Ride Challenge doesn’t account for people who were already walking, biking, or busing during their commutes before this contest, it really doesn’t capture the big picture. I’ll betcha we kick ass when it comes to using alternative methods of transportation. Why wouldn’t we? Almost every major bus route connects through Wallingford, we’re adjacent to the Burke Gilman, and we’re reasonably within walking distance to S. Lake Union or downtown. So, I’m not bummed we’re behind Ballard, Queen Anne, and PhinneyWood (okay, maybe a little); but I am proud of the fact that we’ve saved over 4,300 miles of driving above and beyond what Wallingfordians are already doing.

Even so, there’s room for growth, and it’s not too late. You can still register here. We have 14 days left in the Jul/Aug Walk Bike Ride Challenge, so rankings could change.  We’ll have another update for you at the end of the program.

And for those of you who already commute via bike, bus or walking, thank you. SDOT thanks you too, and even though you aren’t eligible to win prizes for this challenge, they do have other opportunities to win during quarterly “Thank You” drawings where you can enter to win a $100 gift card.