2017 CLEAN AIR COMMUTE AWARD WINNERS
The decisions we make on how to get to work, run errands and recreate have a profound impact on our budget, quality of life, and environmental footprint. In 2014, Clean Air Council’s Cleaner Commute Philadelphia program launched the Clean Air Commute Awards to highlight the efforts of Philadelphia-area commuters and employers who go the extra mile for sustainable commuting. During the Run for Clean Air, on Sunday, April 9, University of Pennsylvania and Circuit Trails bike commuter Robin Irizarry were presented with Clean Air Council’s fourth annual Clean Air Commute Award. American Association for Cancer Research won Clean Air Commute Employer of the Year runner-up. Past winners include Yard’s Brewing Company, Elsevier, Chatter Blast Media, and Azavea. We are excited to share the 2017 Clean Air Commute Award winners commuting stories, which demonstrate their commitment to reducing our region’s air pollution.
Clean Air Commute Employer of the Year – University of Pennsylvania
The 2017 winner of the Clean Air Commute Employer award is The University of Pennsylvania. In 2014, The University of Pennsylvania launched Climate Action Plan 2.0, their roadmap for environmental sustainability. Their plan sets challenging new standards for campus performance; expands educational opportunities for students; and provides enriched support for faculty research, teaching, and collaboration. The Climate Action Plan also focuses on transportation and strongly encourages sustainable transportation for both students and employees.
Employees are offered comprehensive commuter transit benefits to help make sustainable commuting an easy choice. These benefits include discounted parking rates for carpools and vanpools, electric charging stations for electric vehicles, and incentives for participating in car sharing.
Most recently, Penn launched new incentives for commuting by bicycle. Cyclists not only enjoy ample bike parking and dedicated bike repair stations complete with tools and air pumps, but employees can also enroll in the bicycle commuter expense reimbursement program where they receive a reimbursement of up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle expenses.
Today, over 50% of the Penn community uses sustainable transportation. The University of Pennsylvania is a leader in clean commute benefits and has earned the Clean Air Commute Employer of the Year award for 2017.
Clean Air Commute Employer of the Year Runner-Up – American Association of Cancer Research
The 2017 Clean Air Commute Employer runner-up is the American Association of Cancer Research. They are strong promoters of RideECO, a benefit program that allows commuters and employers to save money by putting pre-tax dollars towards public transit fares. Additionally, AACR encourages sustainable commuting by hosting lunch and learn presentations and wellness events. AACR even had Clean Air Council’s transportation staff in to talk to their employees this past summer on two separate occasions.
Clean Air Commuter of the Year – Robin Irizarry
The 2017 Commuter of the Year is Robin Irizarry. He has an exemplary multimodal plan for getting to work. Robin enjoys commuting by bike along the Tacony Creek Park trail as often as possible. It’s a small piece of The Circuit Trails, the regional trail network, and he can take the entire trail on his way to work. It is a great way to get to his office in Frankford and sure beats sitting in traffic! It also gives him an opportunity to keep an eye on the trail and the creek – part of his role as the Philly Watershed Coordinator for the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford (TTF) Watershed Partnership. Robin rides the trail and keeps his binoculars handy so he can get some birdwatching in on the way into the office. TTF Watershed Partnership has been working hard to demonstrate to their community just how great the little trail is for commuting, exercising, and relaxing #OntheCircuit.
When conditions are less conducive for riding, Robin carpools with a coworker who lives nearby. Since he lives right near the Cheltenham train station, he frequently hops on the train to get into the city for meetings at the Philadelphia Water Department. His office, in Frankford, is just a few blocks from the Market-Frankford line, which he also often takes to meetings in the city.
These are just a few examples of how employers and employees are reducing their carbon footprint by incentivising and choosing clean commutes. Clean Air Council is pleased to honor these award recipients, and hope their stories inspire you to choose a cleaner commute!
Congratulations to our winners!
Do you or someone you know brave snow, blocked bike lanes, early morning small talk, or uncomfortable proximity to your fellow public transit riders to get to work each day, in a way that reflects your commitment to the environment? Enter the most dedicated sustainable commuter you know in our third annual Clean Air Commuter of the Year award! Nominations open in September 2017.
If you would like more information about clean commuting or commuter benefits, please visit Clean Air Council’ Cleaner Commute Philadelphia. Or, contact the Clean Air Council, by calling 215-567-4004 ext. 111 or emailing ereinhard@cleanair.org.
