The Office of Sustainability is planning a whole host of fun events this fall to help students, staff, and faculty integrate sustainability into their work. Follow us on facebook to stay up to date and join us for fun, educational events (that usually include prizes). First up? Car Free Day! So what, exactly, is Car Free Day (and why should we care)?
Car Free Day is a worldwide event on Thursday, September 22 that encourages alternative methods of transportation on your commute and throughout your day. By reducing and eliminating car use (on September 22 and every day!) you can improve your physical fitness, reduce your carbon footprint, enhance mindfulness & creativity, and save money. Achieve this and more by joining your Lehigh colleagues on Car Free Day.
We encourage you to make the pledge now!
FAQs
What is Car Free Day? A worldwide event to encourage alternative methods of transportation.
When is Car Free Day? Thursday, September 22, 2016
What’s this I hear about free smoothies and raffle prizes?! Reward yourself for going car free with a smoothie and snacks, available on the STEPS lawn from 11a-1p on Car Free Day. Please be sure to sign the pledge in advance so we have enough smoothies for everyone. Share your commitment on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to win a bike, helmet, and more.
How does Car Free Day help Lehigh? Lehigh strives to create a sustainable campus that merges environmentally responsible solutions (such as going car free) with equitable community practices (such as carpooling with your colleagues) and economic prosperity (saving money). Participation in this event is one of many ways you can help Lehigh integrate the three pillars of sustainability throughout the university.
In a survey distributed to Lehigh faculty and staff in 2014, 90.1% of respondents said they use single occupancy vehicles to get to campus. Since the average car releases 300 pounds of carbon dioxide for every 15 gallons of gasoline (Car Free Network) we have the opportunity to make a big impact with a small change. Let’s go Car Free once a year, once a month, or even every day!
How does Car Free Day help me?
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Walking or biking to work improves your physical fitness
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Reducing car use lessens your carbon footprint
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Less gas = saving money
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Carpooling helps you bond with your colleagues
How do I find a carpool buddy for Car Free Day? Use your Lehigh username and password to sign in to zimride.com/lehigh, a fun and easy way to share the seats in your car or catch a ride.
Need another incentive to carpool? Feel like a Lehigh VIP with special parking spaces* reserved just for Car Free Day participants. Be sure to tell us where you usually park when you fill out the pledge form and we’ll try to designate a carpooling only spot in that garage/lot.
I can’t walk or carpool on my commute, but I’ll run errands without my car that day. How do I get a Zagster bike? Take advantage of the trial membership to Zagster—Lehigh’s bike sharing program—available only during the week of September 22. Once you make the pledge, we’ll send you details. zagster.com/lehigh
I’m in! How do I make the pledge?
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Choose the team that fits you best (#LUteamwalk, #LUteambus, #LUteamcarpool, #LUteambike)
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Spread the word on Facebook or Instagram
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Be sure to tag @LehighSustainability
* We hope to be wildly overwhelmed with participants and therefore cannot guarantee use of the specially reserved parking spaces, however, we will try to accommodate all carpoolers on Car Free Day.